In the Know: June 24, 2020

Days to the November Election:  132

2020
Kentucky Senate primary race to decide who challenges Mitch McConnell too close to call, CNBC

Agriculture
THE MOST CRITICAL CORN GROWTH PERIOD APPROACHES THE CORN BELT, ANALYST SAYS, Successful Agriculture
Soil Prof Hits Pay Dirt: $250K Prize For Helping Farmers, Fighting Climate Change, NPR

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Walz, Ellison respond to conservative legislators’ lawsuit, Fairbault Daily News

Congress
Fauci, Citing ‘Disturbing Surge,’ Tells Congress the Virus Is Not Under Control, New York Times
Harris, Booker and Schumer say GOP police plan is ‘not salvageable’, Politico
White House, GOP plot next moves on coronavirus relief, Roll Call
‘Trying to get away with murder…of George Floyd’: Pelosi bashes Senate GOP policing reform bill, NBC News
Top Democrats say Trump is sitting on $14B for coronavirus testing, contact tracing, NBC News

DFL News
Tyler Kistner Silent as Trump Doubles Down on Admission That He Slowed Down COVID-19 Testing, DFL.org
Congressman Hagedorn Silent as Trump Doubles Down on Admission That He Slowed Down COVID-19 Testing,DFL.org

Donald Trump
Fauci warns of disturbing trend as Trump ignores viral surge, CNN
In Arizona, Trump has a redo of his Oklahoma rally, Politico
With Tweets, Videos and Rhetoric, Trump Pushes Anew to Divide Americans by Race, New York Times
The electoral map just keeps getting worse for Trump, CNN

Economy
Dow plunges more than 800 points as Florida sees record jump in coronavirus cases, CNBC
IMF slashes its forecasts for the global economy and warns of soaring debt levels, CNBC
‘Like a Bad Horror Movie’: U.S. Weighs Reinstating Canadian Aluminum Tariffs, New York Times

Education
Budgets put limits on social distancing options for schools, MPR
Whistleblower: Education Department Killed Website That Made Applying for Loan Forgiveness Too Easy, US News & World Report

Environment
The looming threats posed by space junk,The looming threats posed by space junk, Axios
The EPA’s emissions rollbacks will be devastating for Americans’ health, The Hill
Trillion-dollar investors warn Brazil over ‘dismantling’ of environmental policies, The Guardian
Arctic Circle sees ‘highest-ever’ recorded temperatures, BBC

Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota to ‘recalibrate’ its COVID-19 modeling with latest data, Star Tribune
DEED opens applications for $62 million small business Covid-19 relief fund, Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal

Health
Which country has the world’s best health care system?, Vox
The Health Care Repeal Lawsuit Could Strip Coverage from 23 Million Americans, Center For American Progress

Immigration
In Arizona, Trump Boasts About His Wall and Repeats Unfounded Predictions of Voter Fraud, New York Times
Trump to expand sweeping immigration restrictions, targeting work visas in new order, CBS News

Joe Biden
Biden Takes Dominant Lead as Voters Reject Trump on Virus and Race, New York Times
Biden Virtual Campaign Fundraiser Featuring Obama Brings in $7.6 Million, Newsweek

Labor
Opinion: Unions support workers during crisis, Detroit News
The Jobs We Need, New York Times

Minnesota News
Minneapolis police union head says Chauvin firing is justified but rank and file officers being scapegoated,Star Tribune
‘I didn’t see race in George Floyd.’ Police union speaks for first time since killing., MN Reformer
Minnesota will update its COVID-19 model to forecast possible second wave, Star Tribune
New data project Great Depression-level surge in hunger by fall in Minnesota, Star Tribune
St. Paul school board votes against renewing contract with police, MPR News
Conversion therapy banned in Red Wing, Rochester Post Bulletin
Free pick-up meals available to Minnesota students this summer, Star Tribune

Minnesota State Legislature
MN senator says ‘racism is just a sidebar’ in Minneapolis police scrutiny. Black senator: That’s ‘insulting.’, Pioneer Press
LTE: Minnesota workers need a bonding bill, Rochester Post Bulletin
LTE: Martinez Passionate about good government, Austin Daily Herald
Former state Rep. Erin Maye Quade: No deal on police reform ‘really disheartening, MPR
Op-Ed: The Work Isn’t Done, Crookston Times
Rep. Steve Green says Antifa wants to ‘police Minneapolis under Muslim rule’, City Pages

Republicans
GOP lawmakers launch new attacks on Black Lives Matter protesters, Washington Post
Fact-checking the GOP’s ‘satirical’ vote-by-mail video, Washington Post
Leon County GOP chair suing Commission following mask vote, WCTV
GOP congressman says Black Lives Matter movement is ‘at war’ with Western culture, American Independent
Political newcomer beats Trump’s pick in North Carolina GOP congressional primary, CNN

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Klobuchar & health experts address decline in immunizations & possible dangers, KVRR
Sen. Amy Klobuchar leads effort to push for kids to get immunizations, Inforum

Supreme Court of US
6 major questions the Supreme Court still needs to resolve this term, Vox

U.S. News
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut impose 14-day quarantine on travelers from coronavirus hotspot states, CNBC
No charges in NASCAR noose incident involving Black driver, Politico
Crews Begin Removing John C. Calhoun Statue In South Carolina, NPR
Appeals court orders judge to dismiss Michael Flynn case,CNN
Career Justice Department attorneys to tell Congress leadership abused its power in Roger Stone case, other investigations, USA Today
The EU is discussing reopening its borders, and U.S. citizens could remain barred, CNBC

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
Deadly Earthquake Rattles Southern Mexico, NPR News
North Korea’s military action against South likely “postponed, not canceled,” analysts warn, CBS News
E.U. May Bar American Travelers as It Reopens Borders, Citing Failures on Virus, New York Times
Arab League calls for Libya ceasefire, peace talks, Al Jazeera
Coronavirus surges in Latin America as deaths surpass 100,000, Reuters

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 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.
    • 4:30 to 5:30 PM — Virtual Round Table with Sen. Tina Smith and Tribal and Urban Indian Leaders, more information and RSVP 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.
    • 12:00 to 4:00 PM — SD40 DFL Nominations Screenings, contact them for more information.
    • 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 7, 5:00 to 7:00 PM — DFL Virtual Grassroots Fundraiser:  Where We Go From Here, more information and RSVP here.
  • 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
  • July 18, 1:30 to 4:00 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Virtual Business Meting, contact them for more information.
  • July 10, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for specifics.