In the Know: July 29, 2020

Days to the November Election:  97

DFL Action Center
98 Days OUT – Let’s get to work!
If you’d like to help the DFL Party fight for criminal justice reform, better schools, wages, our environment, and health care, Click here to get more involved!

2020 Election
‘I failed my fellow Americans’: the white women defecting from Trump, The Guardian
Biden says he will pick running mate by end of next week, Washington Post

Agriculture
PACE OF CORONAVIRUS PAYMENTS TO FARMERS SLOWS, REASONS UNCLEAR, Successful Farming

Attorney General Keith Ellison
AG Ellison calls for immediate withdrawal of directive that strips CDC of control over COVID-19 data, Red Lake Nation
The Minnesota lawsuit against Big Oil is about environmental protection — but also racial justice, Minnesota Reformer

Congressional News
Tensions between Barr and House Judiciary Committee come to head in contentious hearing, CBS News
Congress turns to age-old fix after police reform stalls: A commission, Politico
Louie Gohmert, who refused to wear a mask, tests positive for coronavirus, Politico
House Democrats yank Homeland Security spending bill from floor, Politico
‘It’s a mess’: Republican senators deride key proposals in GOP virus package, Politico

Dan Feehan, CD1 DFL Candidates
Letter to the Editor: Letter about Independence is a journey. It is not a destination!, Fillmore County Journal

Donald Trump
Trump Is Now Openly Defying the Supreme Court, Slate
Trump administration to send federal agents to Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee, The Hill
Trump undermines his pandemic response with more misinformation and self-obsession, CNN

Economy
Most swing-state voters support extending $600 weekly unemployment benefit, CNBC/Change Research poll finds, CNBC
U.S. GDP likely sank a record 35% in the 2nd quarter after coronavirus ravaged the economy, MarketWatch

Education
Can online learning be better this fall? These educators think so, MPR
Colleges Consider Layoffs as COVID-19 Wreaks Financial Havoc, US News & World Report

Environment
Australian wildfires declared among the ‘worst wildlife disasters in modern history’, NBC News
E.P.A. Inspector General to Investigate Trump’s Biggest Climate Rollback, New York Times
Believe It Or Not, Forests Migrate — But Not Fast Enough For Climate Change, NPR
Record number of environmental activists killed in 2019, CNN

Governor Tim Walz
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Hospitalizations, ICU cases highest in a month, MPR

Immigration
The Trump administration’s choice for immigrant families in detention: Separate or risk Covid-19, Vox
Trump Delays Effort to End Protections for Immigrant ‘Dreamers’, New York Times

Joe Biden:  Check out our brand new Biden for President merchandise in the DFL Store!
Click here to see our new shirts, signs, and stickers!

Labor
Labor unions petition Transportation Department for a mandatory mask rule, Washington Post
National teacher union supports strikes over reopening plans, ABC News

Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Minneapolis Mayor Frey, Lt. Gov. Flanagan highlight progress with 3 Minneapolis shelters, KSTP

Minnesota News
Minneapolis Public Schools plan remote start to school year, Star Tribune
Majority of University of Minnesota classes will be taught online this fall, Star Tribune
Higher COVID-19 rates seen in Black and Hispanic children in Minn., MPR News
Hennepin County’s first chief judge of color takes helm at unprecedented time, Star Tribune
Despite pleas from lawmakers, friends, family, ICE to deport Mankato man. Mankato Free Press
Northland health care workers face changing roles in pandemic, Duluth News Tribune

Quinn Nystrom, CD8 DFL Candidate
DFL District 8 candidate Nystrom pushes for systematic health care reform at virtual roundtable, Brainerd Dispatch

Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Three years after McCain’s ‘thumbs down’ blocked the ACA’s repeal, the war on health care rages on, MinnPost

Representative Collin Peterson (CD7)
Farm relief, SNAP benefits in play as aid talks heat up, Agri-Pulse

Republicans in Minnesota
Mask and distancing mandates meet resistance in Minnesota, Star Tribune
Wabasha GOP Facebook post draws condemnation, Rochester Post Bulletin
Minnesota Republican county official resigns after posting image comparing mask wearing to Nazi Germany, CNN

Secretary of State Steve Simon
Important deadlines for mail-in voting, KARE 11

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Amy Klobuchar on saving live music venues, Axios

Senator Tina Smith
‘We Must Act Quickly’: Sen. Tina Smith Urges Federal Gov’t To Provide Mental Health Resources For Native Youth During Pandemic, WCCO

U.S. News
Louie Gohmert, who refused to wear a mask, tests positive for coronavirus, Politico
Stella Immanuel Doubles Down Amid Storm Over Trump Tweet, ‘Demons’ Comments, Newsweek
Federal Tactical Teams to Withdraw From Portland, Governor Says, New York Times
Some doctors met with Pence after their group’s video was removed for misleading info, CNN
US to withdraw nearly 12,000 troops from Germany in move that will cost billions and take years, CNN
Trump calls new Senate GOP coronavirus bill ‘semi-irrelevant’, Washington Post

Voter Protection
If you or someone you know has trouble registering to vote or casting a ballot, we encourage you to reach out to the DFL’s new Voter Protection Hotline at 833-DFL-VOTE (833-335-8683).

World News
Spain slams UK, Germany for advising tourists to stay away, Reuters
Turkey’s MPs vote to tighten grip on social media, BBC
Hong Kong on verge of ‘large-scale’ coronavirus outbreak, Carrie Lam warns, NBC News
Russian Intelligence Agencies Push Disinformation on Pandemic, New York Times
Group says China hackers infiltrated Vatican ahead of expected talks, The Hill

Upcoming DFL Events

With the COVID-19 situation, we suggest you check with the hosting organization to see if meetings, etc. are being held.

  • Today through August 10 — Primary Election Early Voting Window, more information here.
  • Today through August 11 — Window for Candidates to Register with State for City Offices with No Primaries to Register
  • July 29, 7:00 PM — CD3 Virtual Central Committee Meeting and Election of Directors. If you’re a member of the committee ,email info@dfl3cd.org for how to participate.
  • July 30, 7:00 PM — DFL Environmental Caucus Virtual Meeting with endorsed candidates, more information and RSVP here.
  • August 4, 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 5
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meetings, contact them for specifics.
  • August 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 10
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 13
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 17
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for specifics.
    • 8:00 to 10:00 PM — DNC Convention — A United America, more information as it becomes available.
  • August 18, 8:00 to 10:00 PM — DNC Convention — Steady Leadership
  • August 19
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, tentative virtual meeting, specifics decided at July meeting
    • 8:00 to 10:00 PM — DNC Convention — A Future for All
  • August 20, 8:00 to 10:00 PM —DNC Convention — A New American Promise
  • August 29 — DFL State Central Virtual Meeting, this will be a full agenda meeting, more information as it becomes available.