In the Know: June 17, 2020

Days to the November Election:  139

2020
2020 electoral map ratings: Biden has an edge over Trump, with 5 months to go, MPR
Republican operatives pushing GOP turnout for Biden with new super PAC, The Hill
Georgia Democrats set new primary turnout record, outpacing GOP voters, Atlanta Journal Constitution
Biden opens 13-point advantage as Trump popularity drops to seven-month low: Reuters/Ipsos poll, Reuters
Four ways Donald Trump is already manipulating the U.S. elections, Washington Post
Why the Republicans’ 2020 strategy is to keep as many people as possible from voting, Washington Post

Agriculture
FARM INCOME, STRESSED THIS YEAR, MAY DROP SHARPLY IN 2021, Successful Farming

Congress
GOP and Democrats clash over police reform in Congress as pressure for action mounts, CNN
Congress to Probe Trump’s Aggressive Trade Policies, Wall Street Journal
Since Some Republicans Still Refuse to Wear Masks in Congress, Now Nancy Pelosi Is Requiring It, Slate

Donald Trump
Justice Department seeks to block publication of John Bolton’s White House memoir, MPR
Republican Group Questions Trump’s Health: ‘It’s Time We Talk About This’, Huff Post
Justice Department Seeks To Block Publication Of John Bolton’s White House Memoir, NPR
Another serious abuse of power by Trump? Sure looks like it., Washington Post
Donald Trump Gets Hit With Blunt Fact-Check For AIDS Vaccine Falsehood, Huff Post

DNC
Democrats roll out new tool to combat voter purges, CNN
DNC RELEASES NEW TELEVISION AD: ‘Descent’, Democrats.org

Economy
U.S. Steel’s stock drops after loss estimate is much wider than Wall Street forecasts, Marketwatch
Target raises minimum wage to $15 an hour months before its deadline, CNBC
US-China trade war takes toll on their global competitiveness, BBC

Education
MN state officials to announce K-12 academic year plans by late July, MPR
High School Students and Alumni Are Using Social Media to Expose Racism, NY Times
5 Radical Schooling Ideas For An Uncertain Fall, And Beyond, NPR

Environment
Carbon emissions may have peaked in 2019 — but scientists aren’t celebrating just yet, NBC
Absent From Stimulus Packages: Overhauling Energy, Climate Programs, NPR

Governor Tim Walz
Gov. Tim Walz calls on Senate GOP to give full hearing to DFL police reforms, MN Reformer
Walz: Minnesota Zoo on the brink of closure without funding from legislature, KARE 11
Walz pushes again for public works bill, MPR
Walz surprised Moorhead Armory renovation isn’t considered in bonding bill, KVRR
FULL PRESSER: Gov. Tim Walz discusses local jobs, projects plan, KEYC
Walz sticks with $2B bonding proposal after Senate Republicans move toward him, KTOE
Gov. Walz Signs Bill Providing $62.5 Million To Small Businesses Impacted By COVID-19, WCCO

Health
As the pandemic marches on, so does the Trump administration’s war on Obamacare, MN Reformer

Immigration
Trump’s Immigration Choice, Wall Street Journal
‘Abuse of power’: Asylum-seekers, advocates decry new use of high bond fees as condition of parole, NBC

Joe Biden
Trump says Obama didn’t reform policing — but he did. Then the president ditched it., NBC News
Second Michigan poll shows Trump even farther behind, with Biden leading by 16 points, Detroit Free Press
Poll Puts Biden, Ossoff Narrowly Ahead In Georgia, Forbes

<Labor
‘There is no playbook’: Restaurants are closing again after workers test positive for coronavirus, Washington PostIn landmark case, Supreme Court rules LGBTQ workers are protected from job discrimination, NBC
Unions tap into burst of worker angst over coronavirus, Politico

Minnesota News<
Advocating for police reform, St. Paul mayor testifies to U.S. Senate panel via video, Pioneer Press
Pandemic, civil unrest, recession, election year … can Minnesota government rise to the occasion?, Pioneer Press
Time to change policies involving long-term care, food processing, Marshall Independent

Minnesota State Legislature
Senate GOP debates limited police reform measures ahead of Friday special session adjournment, MN Reformer
Minnesota Senate debates police accountability proposals, Pioneer Press
Minnesota lawmakers debate police reform measures, Star Tribune

Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)
Ilhan Omar Isn’t Done Fighting, Huff Post

Republicans
GOP Cowardice On Trump Takes Center Stage In Scathing New Supercut, Huff Post
Senate GOP unveils policing reform bill that would discourage, but not ban, tactics such as chokeholds and no-knock warrants, Washington Post
McConnell to keep grip on GOP even if Republicans lose Senate, Politico

Secretary of State Steve SimonJudge overturns Minnesota law dictating where candidates are placed on a ballot, Bring Me the News

Senator Tina Smith
How real change happens: an interview with Sen. Tina Smith, Minnesota Spokeman-Recorder

U.S. News
Aunt Jemima brand retired by Quaker due to racial stereotype, MPR
Predicted surge comes true: Eviction filings jump over 40% in Milwaukee County and state, Journal Sentinel
Getting ‘Tough’ on Protests Is Counterproductive, The Atlantic
The Media Isn’t Ready to Cover Climate Apartheid, The Nation

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
India-China border tensions: Key dates in decades-long conflict, Al Jazeera
China cancels more than 1,200 Beijing flights over coronavirus outbreak, New York Post
As Kim Jong-un Turns Hostile to South Korea, His Sister Does the Talking, New York Times
Can Trudeau win U.N. bid — and put Canada back on the map?, Politico
Egypt thought it dodged the worst of the pandemic. But now hospitals are being overwhelmed., Washington Post

Upcoming DFL Events

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

• June 17
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CANCELLED CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, please contact your local party unit to find out how you can help with the upcoming primary election
• June 18
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
• June 19
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
• June 20 — Summer Solstice
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM — College Democrats of Minnesota Virtual Forum with Rep. Dean Phillips, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
• June 21 — Father’s Day
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
• June 22
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 7:30 to 8:30 PM — Virtual Climate Council Minnesota Roundtable, more information and sign up here.
• June 23
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
• June 24
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
• June 25
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
• June 26 through August 10 — Primary Election Early Voting Window, more information here.
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
• June 27
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 6:30 to 9:00 PM — DFL Environmental Caucus Annual Membership Virtual Meeting, here’s a link to more information.
• June 28
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
• June 29
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
• June 30
  • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
  • 4:00 to 7:00 PM — Virtual Phone Bank with the DFL in CD3, more information and sign up here.
• July 1 — Somali Independence Day
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Virtual Meeting, contact them for specifics.
• July 3 — Independence Day (observed)
• July 4 — Independence Day (actual)
• July 9
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • 7:00 t0 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
• July 13
  • 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.
• July 15
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — No CD3 DFL Committee Meeting this month