2020 Election
Julián Castro ends his presidential bid, Vox
Agriculture
One of America’s oldest and largest milk producers files for bankruptcy, CNN
How Minnesota got to be a top turkey-producing state, MinnPost
For tech-weary Midwest farmers, 40-year-old tractors now a hot commodity, Star Tribune
ECONOMISTS LAY OUT CRITICAL ISSUES FACING FARMERS, Successful Farming
Perennial grain Kernza taking root in Minnesota, Inforum
Attorney General Keith Ellison
Keith Ellison seeks review of Hennepin County public defender’s suspension, Pioneer Press
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s first year: ‘I’m just doing me, man’, Star Tribune
Congressional Redistricting
Rural America set to lose political power after 2020 census, Axios
The four factors that might prevent Minnesota from losing a congressional seat after the 2020 Census, MinnPost
Donald Trump
Flouting War Powers Act, Trump claims his tweets are sufficient notice to Congress that U.S. may strike Iran, Washington Post
1 in every 4 circuit court judges is now a Trump appointee, Washington Post
Trump spent his holidays retweeting QAnon and Pizzagate accounts, Vox
Donald Trump’s House Impeachment
“No decision made” by Pelosi on sending impeachment articles, Axios
Donald Trump’s Senate Impeachment Trial
Small cracks have appeared in GOP unity on impeachment trial, MPR
These 3 Senate Republicans could help decide the fight over the rules of the impeachment trial, Vox
Graham threatens to ‘take matters in our own hands’ if Pelosi doesn’t send articles of impeachment to Senate, NBC News
Schumer says four Republicans must vote with Democrats on rules if Senate wants fair impeachment trial, CNN
Bolton says he will testify in impeachment trial if Senate issues subpoena, Axios
Donald Trump’s Trade War
U.S. Manufacturing Slumps as Trade War Damage Lingers, New York Times
Trade War Threatens U.S. States’ Exports to China and Europe, Bloomberg
Economy
Why President Trump’s steel tariff didn’t save US Steel workers from layoffs, Detroit Free Press
Minnesota stocks soared last year but couldn’t keep up with sprinting U.S. stocks, Star Tribune
Environment
Federal budget boosts spending on environmental initiatives in Minnesota, MinnPost
Trump to remove climate change factors from environmental laws around major infrastructure projects, The Independent
Lethal algae blooms – an ecosystem out of balance, The Guardian
EPA’s scientific advisers warn its regulatory rollbacks clash with established science, Washington Post
Governor Tim Walz
For Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a year of striving for consensus in a divided state, Star Tribune
Walz seeks peace with counties over payment glitches, Star Tribune
No. 1: Walz’s first year in office, Mankato Free Press
Health
In the U.S., an Angioplasty Costs $32,000. Elsewhere? Maybe $6,400., New York Times
‘It’s a big deal’: Opioid prescriptions down in Medicaid and MinnesotaCare, MPR
Report: Average drug prices up 5.8 percent in 2020, KARE11
Immigration
‘Cried with joy’: Minnesota’s Liberians find elation, relief in new permanent residency law, MPR
Preliminary Border Patrol data shows US-Mexico border apprehensions continue to decline, CNN
U.S. Stops Dozens of Iranian-Americans Returning From Canada, New York Times
Iran
Pelosi announces war powers resolution as tensions with Iran escalate, NBC News
Trump threatens new attacks on Iran, as Iranian leaders compare him to ISIS, Vox
Schumer: ‘We do not need this president either bumbling or impulsively getting us into a major war’, The Hill
Trump Threatens Iranian Cultural Sites, and Warns of Sanctions on Iraq, NY Times
Iraq votes to expel U.S. troops after Iran Gen. Qasem Soleimani’s killing, USA Today
Labor
MN Joins States Bolstering Wage-Theft Enforcement, Workday MN
St. Louis County snowplow drivers plan to strike, City Pages
Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Walz, Flanagan bring ‘unlikely friendship’ to Minnesota governor’s office, MPR
Minnesota News
Little Falls food hub connects farmers with consumers, Star Tribune
After decades in St. Paul’s trenches, these public employees, civic leaders have retired, Pioneer Press
After years of declining DWI arrests, Minnesota officers made 4% more last year, Duluth News Tribune
Trump gave Minnesota counties a chance to reject refugees. They don’t want to., City Pages
Rural Minnesota vet caring for 72 seized miniature horses has been stuck with the bill, Star Tribune
Representative Dean Phillips (CD3, D)
LETTER: Rep. Phillips working to lower prescription drug costs, Press and News
Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5, D)
Rep. Omar and Rep. Barbara Lee announce War Powers Resolution in U.S. House of Representatives, KSTP
Representative Jim Hagedorn (CD1, R)
We deserve representative who knows what we’re going through, Mankato Free Press
Representative Pete Stauber (CD8, R)
Reader’s View: Is Stauber even listening?, Duluth News Tribune
Republicans
Deceased GOP Strategist’s Daughter Makes Files Public That Republicans Wanted Sealed, NPR
Fear and Loyalty: How Donald Trump Took Over the Republican Party, New York Times
Republicans in Minnesota
Oh cool, MyPillow’s Mike Lindell’s new lawyer is… Doug Wardlow, City Pages
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Minnesota lawmakers react to killing of Iranian leader, Kare 11
Senator Tina Smith
Eliminating barriers to opportunity strengthens the Northland, Duluth News Tribune
Smith says defense bill includes provisions protecting New Flyer in St. Cloud, Willmar Radio
U.S. News
Illinois Rakes in Nearly $3.2 Million in Recreational Marijuana Revenue on First Day of Legal Sales, Time
Thousands march across Brooklyn Bridge in support of Jewish community, CBS News
Federal agencies are required to consult with tribes about pipelines. They often don’t., Salon
World News
Three Americans killed in Kenya terror attack, CNN
Blood-red skies loom over southeast Australia after deadly bushfires bring ‘one of worst days ever’, CNN
US-led coalition fighting ISIS suspends operations, The Hill
Populism Is Morphing in Insidious Ways, The Atlantic
US Ambassador to Afghanistan John Bass steps down, ABC News
Upcoming DFL Events:
- January 7
- 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, check their FaceBook page for specifics.
- 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Brooklyn Park Library, Mississippi Room, 8500 W Broadway Avenue, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
- January 8
- 6:30 to 9:00 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420. Meeting moved back one week due to New Year’s Day holiday.
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Social, Home of Dave and Cathy Olson, 3415 Warner Ln, Minnetrista, MN.
- January 9
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- January 13
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
- January 15, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- January 17 through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
- January 18, 6:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 DFL Winter Gala, Crooners Lounge and Supper Club, Dunsmore Room, 6161 Highway 65 NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432. With Rep. Dean Phillips, other speakers silent auction and live band Victoria and the Acts of Persuasion.
- January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- January 23, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Cocktails and Conversation: Changes in Precinct Caucuses and Presidential Primary, Unmapped Brewing Company, 14625 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- January 25, 9:00 to 10:30 AM — CD3 DFL National Delegate Selection Training, Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
- January 28, 6:00 to 8:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Maple Plain Library, 5184 Main St E, Maple Plain, MN 55359.
- February 1, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Ridgedale Library, Ladyslipper Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
- February 2 — Groundhog Day
- February 4
- 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Teamsters’ Local 120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434
- 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
- February 5
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room C120, Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM —SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room 172, Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
- February 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
- February 10
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
- February 11 — Minnesota Legislative Session Starts
- February 13, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- February 14 — Valentine’s Day
- February 15, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training Make Up, Chanhassen Library, 7711 Kerber Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
- February 17 — Presidents’ Day
- February 19, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- February 25, 7:00 t0 9:00 PM — Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucuses, more information here.
- March 3
- 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM — Minnesota Super Tuesday Primary, more information here.
- March 4
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305
- March 5
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD40 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings (Tentative), Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
- March 7, 1:00 to 3:00 PM — SD33 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings, Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Ave N, Plymouth, MN 55446
- March 8 — Daylight Saving Time Begins
- March 9
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
- March 10 — Pruim and Holi