Days to the November Election: 220
Walz Administration Update
Facts Not Fear Public Service Announcement
2020 Election
Campaigning in a Time of Plague, The American Prospect
Congress
House debate begins on $2 trillion coronavirus package as lawmakers rush back to Washington,USA Today
House Aims To Send $2 Trillion Rescue Package To President To Stem Coronavirus Crisis, NPR
Donald Trump
Trump’s Approval Hits New High, But A Rally-Around-The-Flag Effect Is Small, NPR
Trump downplays need for ventilators as New York begs to differ, Politico
Trump touts great success as US becomes world’s worst virus epicenter, CNN
Democrats delayed stimulus bill to tighten ban on Trump family profiting, PoliticoEconomy
It was the worst week for the economy in decades. The pain is just beginning., Washington Post
New relief bill to boost unemployment insurance by $600 a week for gig workers, freelancers and more, CNBC
The debate over ending social distancing to save the economy, explained, Vox
How the Rich and Powerful Profit From Crises Like Coronavirus, ProPublica
Education
Minecraft unlocks free educational content for students stuck at home due to Coronavirus, Washington Post
Environment
EPA dials back environmental enforcement during pandemic, CNN
Global efforts on ozone help reverse southern jet stream damage, The Guardian
Judge orders environmental review of Dakota Access pipeline, ABC News
Governor Tim Walz
March 26: Gov. Walz & MDH coronavirus briefing, KARE11
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: ‘Stay at home, Star Tribune
Coronavirus In Minnesota: Gov. Walz’s Stay-At-Home Order Goes Into Effect At Midnight, WCCO
Walz on GOP backlash: ‘Not taking these actions will result in the deaths of Minnesotans’, Bring Me the News MN
Health
In the midst of a pandemic, in-home care providers face new challenges, stresses, MPR
With coronavirus pandemic raging, it would be insane to kill Obamacare, USA Today
Eleven States Now Letting Uninsured Sign Up for Obamacare, New York Times
Republican Attorneys General push forward with lawsuit to dismantle Obamacare despite coronavirus, Yahoo
A Health Care Workers Union Found A Supplier With 39 Million Masks For Doctors And Nurses Fighting The Coronavirus, Buzzfeed
Fight for Affordable Care Act must continue, Orlando Sentinel
Immigration
ACLU-MN alleges U.S. citizen unlawfully detained in Minnesota, Pioneer Press
Three unaccompanied immigrant children in US custody have tested positive for Coronavirus, Buzzfeed News
Labor
10,000 Minnesota health care workers filed for unemployment in past 10 days, Star Tribune
Direct payments, unemployment extensions and small business loans: what’s in the $2 trillion federal stimulus bill, Minn Post
Pandemic strains MN’s already stressed childcare industry, KARE11
How Labor Unions Won Historic Pay Protection For Aviation Workers, Forbes
Coronavirus Threatens an Already Strained Maternal Health System, New York Times
Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota House votes 99-4 to advance COVID-19 emergency response package to Senate,MN Reformer
Minnesota lawmakers approve $330 million COVID-19 package on eve of stay-home order, MN Reformer
Minnesota News
Minneapolis to close some parkways so runners, walkers can spread out, Star Tribune
Minnesota schools are closed until early May: Here are 9 things you need to know, MPR
MN homeless shelters struggle to provide safety, distance to prevent COVID-19, MPR
Second Minnesotan dies from COVID-19, case numbers jump to 346, Star Tribune
Indian Country leaders urge Native people to be counted in 2020 Census, MN Reformer
Minnesota homelessness groups ask for access to $200M health fund, Grand Forks Herald
Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Rep. Angie Craig wants to ban members of Congress from owning stocks. After coronavirus-related trading by senators, her bill’s getting renewed attention, MinnPost
Republicans
Republicans are using the pandemic to push anti-abortion and anti-trans agendas, Vox
Republican Billionaire’s Group Pushes Unproven COVID-19 Treatment Trump Promoted, ProPublica
Will the coronavirus ‘kill populism’? Don’t count on it, The Guardian
Republicans, Minnesota
Minnesota Republicans: Don’t let coronavirus hurt our precious economy!, City Pages
Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)
In court petition, Minnesota ICE detainees plea for release before COVID-19 hits, Star Tribune
Secretary of State Steve Simon
Yes, Minnesota could move to vote-by-mail for the 2020 election. No, it won’t be easy, MinnPost
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Amy Klobuchar’s husband returns home from hospital to recover from coronavirus, CNN
Sen. Klobuchar: ‘You just don’t know how someone in your family is going to react to this,’MSNBC
Senator Tina Smith
Smith: ‘Help is on the way,’ as U.S. Senate passes huge stimulus bill, Fairbault Daily News
U.S. News
After Considering $1 Billion Price Tag for Ventilators, White House Has Second Thoughts, New York Times
U.S. surpasses China with coronavirus cases as global total tops 500,000, NBC News
Coronavirus cases continue to climb in military as all sailors on USS Theodore Roosevelt to be tested, USA Today
Surging Traffic Is Slowing Down Our Internet, New York Times
The 2020 Census is already facing delayed deadlines and suspended operations because of the coronavirus, Business Insider
World News
Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus, CNN
South Africa enters lockdown as known covid-19 cases surpass 1,000, Washington Post
Italy’s coronavirus death toll is more than double that of China’s — this might be why, CNBC
As coronavirus cases spike worldwide, China is closing itself off, CNN
Trudeau calls for keeping US-Canada border demilitarized, The Hill
India Is Showing How Not to Respond to a Pandemic, The Atlantic
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.
All DFL conventions will now be held virtually. If you were elected as a Delegate or Alternate at Caucuses, you will be hearing from your district with specifics. If you don’t, please check with the hosting organization.
- March 31, 6:00 to 8:00 PM — DFL Volunteer Webinar Training, more information and RSVP here.
- April 1 — April Fools’ Day
- 6:00 to 8:00 PM — DFL Volunteer Webinar Training, more information and RSVP here.
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, this month’s meeting will be held via conference call, email chair@sd50dfl.org for specifics.
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting Virtual Meeting on the Zoom platform. Contact the Chair for more information.
- April 2, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, PROBABLY POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, contact the Chair for specifics
- April 4, 1:00 to 3:00 PM — DFL Volunteer Webinar Training, more information and RSVP here.
- 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 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
- 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
- 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
- May 30 -30 — State DFL Convention, Rochester, MN, more information as it becomes available.