In the Know: March 16, 2020

Days to the November Election:  232

2020 Election
Georgia postpones presidential primary due to coronavirus, CNN

Agriculture
95.0 MILLION U.S. CORN ACRES IN 2020? Successful Farming

Congress
Senate scrambles on coronavirus package as U.S. begins to shut down, Politico

Donald Trump
Trump says he is ‘strongly considering’ full pardon of Michael Flynn, CNN
Coronavirus: anger in Germany at report Trump seeking exclusive vaccine deal, The Guardian
Trump finds his MAGA movement fracturing over coronavirus, Politico

Economy
Dow Plunges 2,700 Points, Trading Halted After Fed Slashes Rates, NPR
America’s biggest banks halt share buybacks as coronavirus crisis deepens, CNN
Markets In Europe, Asia Plummet After Central Banks Slash Rates Amid Coronavirus, NPR
Teetering economy sparks talk of second stimulus package, The Hill

Education
After school-closure announcement, teachers and districts across Minnesota get to work, MPR
Everybody Ready for the Big Migration to Online College? Actually, No, New York Times

Environment
Climate change: Will planting millions of trees really save the planet? BBC News

Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz closing K-12 schools as COVID-19 spreads, StarTribune
Gov. Walz, Department of Health announce coronavirus mitigation strategies for Minnesota, Duluth Tribune News
Coronavirus In Minnesota: Gov. Walz Declares Peacetime Emergency, WCCO

Health
The nightmare of rationing health care, Washington Post
CDC Recommends Against Gatherings Of 50 Or More; States Close Bars And Restaurants, NPR
Rural Hospitals Brace For Coronavirus, NPR
The Struggle To Keep Vulnerable Seniors Safe In A Large Coronavirus Cluster, NPR

Immigration
‘Anchor babies’: the ‘ludicrous’ immigration myth that treats people as pawns, The Guardian

Labor
COVID-19, sick leave and unemployment insurance in Minnesota: What workers need to know, MinnPost
Three Ways the Labor Department Would Aid Coronavirus Relief, Bloomberg
Unions Across America Are Screaming For Paid Sick Leave and Healthcare, In These Times

Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
In praise of good governance — and good relationships, MinnPost

Minnesota Legislature
COVID-19: Washing our hands is not enough. We need the right policies., MN Reformer
Minnesota Legislature scaling back operations amid coronavirus outbreak, MPR
Bottles, caps and cans: the state of booze bills before the 2020 Minnesota Legislature, MinnPost
Minnesota Legislature considering nickel fee on plastic bags to reduce pollution, Pioneer Press
Emergency insulin bill takes a big step forward with passage by Minnesota Senate, MinnPost

Minnesota News
Race on to mitigate growing COVID-19 spread in Minnesota, Star Tribune

Representative Angie Craig
Dakota County officials to hold virtual town hall meeting on coronavirus March 21, Pioneer Press

Republicans
Oklahoma governor who faced backlash over ‘packed’ restaurant tweet now declares state of emergency, CNN

Senator Tina Smith
Smith, Klobuchar co-sign letter urging economic stimulus package, Brainerd Dispatch
Smith introduces legislation protecting quarantined employees amid outbreak, Brainerd Dispatch
Democrats press Pence on virus test shortage, KARE11

Supreme Court of the US
Supreme Court postpones March cases, including Trump’s bid to shield tax records, CNN
One Change That Could Make American Criminal Justice Fairer, Atlantic

Trade
US oil companies to slash spending amid Saudi-Russian trade war, Independent

U.S. News
Trump ‘offers large sums’ for exclusive US access to coronavirus vaccine, The Guardian
CDC recommends canceling events with 50 or more people for the next eight weeks throughout US, CNBC
L.A. on coronavirus lockdown: Here is what you need to know about what’s closed, open, LA Times
Supreme Court postpones arguments over coronavirus, citing Spanish flu precedent, CNBC
Coronavirus: US man who stockpiled hand sanitiser probed for price gouging, BBC

World News
Coronavirus deaths pass 6,500 worldwide, CNN
In Afghanistan, Coronavirus Complicates War and Peace, New York Times
France Fines Apple $1.2 Billion for Antitrust Issues, New York Times

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.

  • March 12
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN55433.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CANCELLED  SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — League of Women Voters’ South Tonka Mayoral Forum, South Shore Community Center, 5735 Country Club Dr, Excelsior, MN 55331. Hear from mayors of Excelsior, Deephaven, Shorewood, Greenwood, Tonka Bay and Woodland
  • March 14, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD46 DFL Convention
  • March 15 — Democratic Presidential Debate moderated by CNN and Univision view on their channels and streams, more information as it becomes available
  • March 16, 7:oo to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
  • March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day
  • March 18, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CANCELLED FOR NATIONAL DELEGATE TRAINING CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting
  • March 18, 7:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Minnesota National Presidential Nominating Delegate Candidate Training
  • March 19 — Spring Equinox
  • March 21
    • 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD34 DFL Convention
    • 8:30  to  1:00  PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD48 DFL Convention
    • 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD33 Precinct Chairs Welcome Brunch, 3415 Warner Ln, Mound, MN 55364
  • March 23, 7:00 PM —  Gov. Tim Walz State of the State Address, more information as it become available.
  • March 28
    • 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD40 DFL Convention
    • 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD50 DFL Convention
  • April 1 — April Fools’ Day
    • 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
  • April 2, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • April 4
    • 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD45 DFL Convention, Cooper High School, 47th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55428
    • 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD57 DFL Convention
    • 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, SD36 DFL Convention
    • 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, SD44 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High Schoo
  • April 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM – SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
  • April 9 through 13 —  Passover
  • April 9
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Normal 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.
  • April 10 — Good Friday
  • April 11, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Brooklyn Center DFL Endorsing Convention
  • April 12 — Easter
  • April 13
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 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
  • April 15 — Tax Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC CD3 DFL Central Committee Meting
  • April 18
    • 8:15 AM to 2:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD49 DFL Convention
    • 10:00 AM  to 3:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC  SD33 DFL Convention, Orono High School
    • 12:00 to 5:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Hennepin County DFL Convention, Hopkins North Junior High School
  • April 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
  • April 22 — Earth Day
  • April 23 through May 23 — Ramadan
  • April 24 — Arbor Day
  • April 25, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, Brooklyn Park DFL Convention
  • May 5 — Cinco de Mayo
    • 7:00  to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, location to be determined
  • May 6
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • May 7, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • May 9, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — CD3 DFL Convention, Park Center High School, Performing  Arts Center, 7300 Brooklyn Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55344.
  • May 10 — Mother’s Day
  • May 11
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chamber, 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
  • May  14
    • 7:00  to 9:00 PM —  SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
    • 7:oo to 9:00  PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Community Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345