Days to the November Election: 217
Agriculture
AG MARKETS FADE AHEAD OF USDA REPORT TUESDAY, Successful Ag
Attorney General Keith Ellison
Community calls for action from state’s juvenile justice system during COVID-19 pandemic, KSTP
DFL News
51 State Democratic Party Chairs Sign Letter Urging Protection of U.S. Elections from COVID-19, DFL.org
Donald Trump
Trump Suggests Lack of Testing Is No Longer a Problem. Governors Disagree., New York Times
Trump insists on congratulations while America braces for the worst, CNN
Monday’s White House coronavirus briefing proved they’ve become mini Trump rallies, Vox
Economy
Oil rises after 18-year lows prompt US-Russia talks plan, CNBC
Will sky-high unemployment lead to authoritarianism or progress?, Guardian
Unsanitized: Covidien’s Story Is Corporate America’s Story, The American Prospect
Oil Prices Are Cratering. This Is a Bad Time for That to Happen., New York Magazine
US consumer confidence drops in March to 120, vs 110 expected, CNBC
Education
Students say U shortchanging them for room and board refunds, Star Tribune
Environment
Revealed: Monsanto predicted crop system would damage US farms, The Guardian
U.S. to Announce Rollback of Auto Pollution Rules, a Key Effort to Fight Climate Change, New York Times
Our environmental practices make pandemics like the coronavirus more likely, Vox
Governor Tim Walz
Walz says equipment shortage is a concern, vows to supply front-line workers, KARE11
Gov. Walz encourages ‘state’s largest book club’ during coronavirus ‘Stay at Home’ order,Pioneer Press
Walz directs COVID-19 strategy while on quarantine. MPR
Health
Coronavirus response: Minnesota plans 2,750 hospital beds for ‘alternate care sites’, Pioneer Press
University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic ready COVID-19 antibody tests in Minnesota, Star Tribune
Immigration
Immigration groups sue Trump administration for keeping courts open amid coronavirus, The Hill
Citing coronavirus, the US is swiftly deporting unaccompanied migrant children, CBS News
Judge declines to release immigrant families, for now, Politico
Lawsuit: ICE wrongly held Minnesota man 11 months, ‘messed [him] up’, City Pages
Labor
Fatalistic Grocery Workers Demand Hazard Pay, Saying “Infection Is Inevitable”, Workday MN
Resources for Workers Impacted by COVID-19 Response, Workday MN
General Electric Workers Walk Off the Job, Demand to Make Ventilators, Vice
Minnesota News
Southern Minnesota county becomes unlikely coronavirus hotbed, Star Tribune
‘We’ll get through this’: Tribal nations prepare for COVID-19, MPR
At least 100 reporters call into daily COVID-19 phone briefing with Walz, health department, MN Reformer
Minnesota COVID-19 cases rise to 576 with one additional death, Star Tribune
COVID-19 could make it harder for census to count the already undercounted, MN Reformer
Warsame resigns from Minneapolis council, will take helm of housing authority, Star Tribune
Republicans, Minnesota
Trump has been nudging MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell to run for office, Politico
Republicans, National
GOP senator (Ron Johnson) calls on Trump to reopen parts of the coronavirus-stricken economy because ‘death is an unavoidable part of life’, Business Insider
Trump says Republicans would ‘never’ be elected again if it was easier to vote, Guardian
What Will Happen When Red States Need Help?, The Atlantic
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Mayor asks for more federal aid in call with Klobuchar, Rochester Post Bulletin
Klobuchar, Rochester community leaders talk COVID-19 response & assistance, KAAL
Senator Tina Smith
Trump signs legislation incorporating Smith’s protections for isolated seniors, Brainerd Dispatch
U.S. News
Justice Department launches inquiry of senators who sold large chunks of stock before coronavirus market slide, USA Today
Idaho governor signs two bills that limit the rights of transgender people, CNN
U.S. coronavirus death toll passes 3,000 as Spain and Italy honor their dead, NBC News
Largest US mall owner, Simon Property, furloughs 30% of workforce, adding to avalanche of coronavirus-related retail layoffs, CNBC
Bend it like the Bay Area: Doctors see flatter curve after 2 weeks of social isolation, Politico
World News
Belarus’ president dismisses coronavirus risk, encourages citizens to drink vodka and visit saunas, CNBC
Coronavirus: Millions will be left in poverty, World Bank warns, BBC
US extends waivers on Iran sanctions amid coronavirus pandemic, The Hill
As Pandemic Spreads, The Developing World Looks Like The Next Target, NPR
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 17, 5:00 PM — Deadline for DFL local units to provide a roster to delegates/alternates and ballot content
- 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 23 — Deadline for DFL local units to certify their ballot in writing to DFL Staff
- April 24 — Arbor Day
- April 25 – May 4 — DFL Virtual Convention Balloting Window
- 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 — deadline for certification of DFL local unit balloting results
- 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.