In the Know: January 5, 2021


DFL Party Podcast
As we prepare for 2022, the DFL Party is exploring new opportunities to get our message out to Minnesotans, including starting a podcast! We create a short, 3 minute survey to learn what you’d like to hear from a potential DFL Party podcast. Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey and help shape this new DFL Party venture today using this link: https://forms.gle/TW3z8dWJ9UF3798GA

Congress
More than 170 business leaders sign letter urging Congress to accept Biden’s win, CNN
Objecting To Electoral Votes In Congress Recalls Bitter Moments In History,NPR
Democrats ask FBI Director Wray to open criminal probe into Trump after leaked phone call, NBC
Democrats tighten control with House rules changes, Associated Press

Environmental News
Global Warming May Be Triggering Toxic Algae Blooms Along U.S. West Coast, U.S. News & World Report
Trump auctions Arctic refuge to oil drillers in last strike against US wilderness, The Guardian

Georgia Senate Election 
Control of the U.S. Senate hangs in the balance as polls open, Washington Post
Georgia votes in crucial runoff elections, CNN

Governor Tim Walz
Gov. Tim Walz to loosen bar and restaurant restrictions amid COVID pandemic progress, Star Tribune
International Falls representative says he’ll support Walz’s emergency powers this time, Duluth News Tribune
Possible opponents to Gov. Walz begin lining up, Lakeland Broadcasting
Gov. Walz to loosen restrictions on indoor dining in Wednesday announcement, Bring Me The News

Immigration News 
COVID-19 relief bill: A promising first act for immigration reform, The Hill
Joe Biden’s New Policies For Asylum, DACA And Legal Immigration, Forbes

Labor News
Google workers form new labor union, a tech industry rarity, ABC News
Some states start paying $300 unemployment boost while others lag, CNBC
China state news agency urges end to long work hours in tech, Associated Press

Minnesota Legislature
Beyond pandemic: What’s on tap as Minnesota Legislature begins regular session, Star Tribune
Legislators prepare for budget discussions, Bemidji Pioneer
Minnesota’s 2021 Legislature starts today. Here are five factors that will dominate the session, MinnPost
Minnesota lawmakers start 2021 session dominated by COVID-19 pandemic, Fox 9

Minnesota News
Unknown if Minnesota Republicans will join challenge to certifying electoral college vote, Park Rapids Enterprise 
Minnesota health officials say shutdown ‘clearly helped change pandemic’s trajectory’, Bring Me The News
Live updates: Minnesota’s new COVID-19 cases rise, vaccine distribution ‘on track’, KARE11

President Elect Joe Biden and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris 
‘A bald-faced, bold abuse of power’: Kamala Harris slams Trump’s phone call urging Georgia GOP official to overturn the election, Business Insider

Republican Party News 
D.C. Police to contact GOP Rep. Boebert about plans to bring Glock to work, Politico
Trump’s Electoral College scheme divides 2024 GOP successors, Politico

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Klobuchar: Pence’s role in certifying is to preside, not decide, Yahoo

U.S. Representative Betty McCollum (CD4)
What Joe Biden’s Cabinet picks mean for northern Minnesota’s Twin Metals mining project, MinnPost

U.S. News
Google employees form workers’ union in United States, NBC News 
Trump-appointed US attorney resigns in Georgia, Associated Press
Georgia Votes in Runoff Elections to Decide Senate Control, VOA News
Kenosha prepares for protests as it awaits decision in Jacob Blake shooting, Washington Post

World News 
Islamic State claims responsibility for attack that killed 11 in Pakistan, Reuters
U.K. orders strict lockdown as coronavirus variant surges, CBS News
Tick-Tock: The Tokyo Olympics hit the 200-days-to-go mark, Associated Press
Norway enacts new restrictions as coronavirus surges, The Hill
In one week, France vaccinated barely 500 people. Why so many are saying ‘non’, Los Angeles Times

MNGOP
Minnesota Republicans mum on objecting to Wednesday’s Electoral College results, MN Reformer
Losing Duluth legislative candidates unsuccessfully challenge election results, Duluth News Tribune 

Trump News 
If Donald Trump can’t lead the GOP, he will destroy it, MSNBC
Fact-checking Trump’s campaign rally for the Georgia Senate races, Wapo
Trump and Gohmert’s election ploys prove Republican Party is now the anti-democracy party, NBC
Despite Clear Defeat, Trump Vows To Fight On, Continues Disinformation In Georgia, NPR

Upcoming Events:

You can find non-DFL events on our Action Alert post.

  • January 5 — 92nd Minnesota Legislative Session Convenes
  • January 6 — Congressional Electoral Vote Count
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 7, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 11
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 14
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 18 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 20 — Inauguration Day
  • January 27, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting with Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon for and election debrief, more information as it becomes available
  • January 28, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD47 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 2 — Groundhog Day
  • February 3
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 4, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 8
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 11
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 14 — Valentine’s Day
  • February 15 — Presidents’ Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Virtual DFL Anoka County Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 16 — Mardi Gras
  • February 17 — Ash Wednesday
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available
  • February 25 to 26 — Purim
  • February 28, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD47 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information