In the Know: March 30, 2020

Days to the November Election:  218

Agriculture
COVID-19 SHOULDN’T IMPACT 2020 SEED, FERTILIZER, AND CHEMICAL SUPPLIES, Successful Farming
For Farmers, Stimulus Bill Means Subsidies Continue to Flow, New York Times

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Attorney General Ellison calls out Minnesota business for price-gouging N95 masks during COVID-19 pandemic, Bring Me the News
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison targets ‘pandemic profiteering,’ Star Tribune

Donald Trump
Internal Emails Show How Chaos at the CDC Slowed the Early Response to Coronavirus, ProPublica
Trump rants at Pelosi and other politicians as deaths climb past 2,500, The Guardian
Trump moves the coronavirus goal posts, pre-spinning 100,000 deaths as ‘a very good job’, The Washington PostEconomy
Top economists warn ending social distancing too soon would only hurt the economy, Vox
Out From Under ‘the Economy’, The Nation
The U.S. weighs the grim math of death vs. the economy, Reuters
Trump adviser outlines cautious approach for reopening economy, Politico

Education
Minnesota parents, too, are tested as education moves back home, Star Tribune
For Higher Education, Nothing Matters More Than September, Forbes

Environment
The EPA appears to be using coronavirus to make huge concessions to polluters, Vox
Fires Where They Are ‘Not Supposed To Happen’ In Australia’s Ancient Rainforest, NPR
The missing puzzle piece for getting to 100% clean power, Vox
Revealed: Monsanto predicted crop system would damage US farms, The Guardian

Governor Tim Walz
Gov. Walz encourages ‘state’s largest book club’ during coronavirus ‘Stay at Home’ order, Pioneer Press
For Tim Walz and other governors, there’s no playbook to managing COVID-19, Star Tribune
Coronavirus In Minnesota: Gov. Tim Walz Signs Bill Providing $300 Million For COVID-19 Relief, WCCO

Health
What We Know — and Don’t Know — About Possible Coronavirus Treatments Promoted by Trump, ProPublica
GOP Plows Forward on Plans to Kill Obamacare, Pandemic Be Damned, Daily Beast
Attacking the Affordable Care Act in the time of COVID-19, The Hill
Johnson & Johnson says human testing of its coronavirus vaccine to begin by September, CNBC

Immigration
DACA recipients ask Supreme Court to consider their work in fight against coronavirus, CNN

Labor
300,000 unemployment claims filed in Minnesota, City Pages
Owner of 7 Minneapolis restaurants accused of withholding wages, Bring Me the New MN
Lost Work Because Of Coronavirus? How To Get Unemployment, Skip Loan Payments And More, NPR
Minnesota assigns days for unemployment applications as web traffic surges, KSTP
State data indicates we’re headed for another record unemployment week, Vox
Freelancers, gig workers can receive unemployment benefits plus $600, USA Today

Minnesota News
Minnesota assigns specific days to apply for unemployment. Here’s the breakdown, Pioneer Press
Sobering moment: How COVID-19 is impacting Minnesota’s recovery community, MinnPost
March 29 update on COVID-19: Death toll rises to 9, MPR
Storm leaves thousands without power in central, northern Minnesota, MPR
Racist note tells Woodbury couple to ‘take the virus back to China’, City Pages
Edina cracks down on large gatherings not in compliance with ‘Stay at Home’ order, Star Tribune

Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)
Coronavirus In Minnesota: Couple’s South American Cruise Turns Into COVID-19 Nightmare, WCCO

Republicans
Republicans were more concerned about Ebola than they’ve been about coronavirus. Here’s why., Washington Post
The Social-Distancing Culture War Has Begun, The Atlantic
Republicans put capital accumulation above physical well-being, State Journal-Register
Republicans are still playing games with D.C. at the height of a deadly pandemic, Washington Post
A top Republican wants to hold off on additional coronavirus aid, Vox

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar details husband’s ordeal with COVID-19, StarTrib
Coronavirus Comes To Immigration Court, Buzzfeed News

Senator Tina Smith
Trump signs legislation incorporating Smith’s protections for isolated seniors, Brainerd Dispatch
Minnesota lawmakers retool service amid pandemic, Star Tribune

U.S. News
President Trump Extends Federal Social Distancing Guidelines Until End of April, Time
No, Mr. President, healthcare workers aren’t stealing masks. You failed them, Washington Post
Utilizing the Defense Production Act will save health care workers’ lives, The Hill
Testing is Just the Beginning in the Battle Against Covid-19, New York Times
Fauci predicts 100K-200K coronavirus deaths in U.S, MPR

World News
Modi seeks ‘forgiveness’ from India’s poor over COVID-19 lockdown, Al Jazeera
ISIS members riot and break out of Syrian prison,CNN
Social distancing is a privilege of the middle class. For India’s slum dwellers, it will be impossible, CNN
Russia Moves Toward Nationwide Lockdown as Virus Spreads, Bloomberg

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 Virtual 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 Virtual 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 Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact the Chair for more information
• 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 Virtual Central Committee Meeting, Brookdale Library, contact the Chair for more information
• April 9 through 13 —  Passover
• April 9
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact the Chair for more information.
  • 7:00 to  9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact the Chair for more information.
• April 10 — Good Friday
• April 12 — Easter
• April 13
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact the Chair for more information
• April 15 — Tax Day
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meting, contact the Chair for more information
• April 18
• April 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for more information on how the meeting will be held
• 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.