Days to the November Election: 180
2020 Election
Republicans praise Trump’s pandemic response with Senate majority at risk, Politico
House Republicans should be getting nervous about November, Washington Post
The Women of Maine Versus Susan Collins, Politico
Win Or Lose, Trump’s Top Campaign Aides Are Raking In The Cash, HuffPost
Agriculture
JBS Worthington plant reopens with reduced staff after COVID-19 outbreak, MN Reformer
Massive donation by Minnesota Farmers Union made to Minnesota’s largest food shelf, KSTP
Native nonprofit expands Minnesota farm, aims to scale up crop production amid pandemic, MPR
Attorney General Keith Ellison
Ellison wants meat industry investigated for anti-competitive practices, KWLM
Minnesota AG: Landlords still try to force tenants out during coronavirus pandemic, KSTP
Minnesota attorney general’s office fielded 400 complaints since eviction proceedings stopped, Star Tribune
Minnesota AG Keith Ellison pushes for federal investigation of beef-packing industry, Fox 9Donald Trump
Blame China. Remake economy: Trump pivots to new election message amid pandemic, Reuters
Trump’s War on U.S. Institutions Reaches the Postal Service, New York Magazine
Top Republican fundraiser and Trump ally named postmaster general, giving president new influence over Postal Service, Washington Post
Trump and some top aides question accuracy of virus death toll, Axios
Economy
Trump’s New Coronavirus Message: Time to Move On to the Economic Recovery, New York Times
Millions more Americans seek jobless benefits; productivity dives, Reuters
Another 3.2 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, Axios
Fixing the Bailout Scammers: The Ten Percent Solution, Beat The Press
Stimulus checks have been sent to dead people. Now the IRS has released instructions for how to return the money, CNBC
Education
Minnesota House Democrats advance bill guaranteeing pay for hourly school workers, Star Tribune
DeVos’s Rules Bolster Rights of Students Accused of Sexual Misconduct, The New York Times
Environment
‘Promiscuous treatment of nature’ will lead to more pandemics – scientists, The Guardian
Critics alarmed by US nuclear agency’s bid to relax rules on radioactive waste, The Guardian
Governor Tim Walz
Walz expected to announce additional COVID control measures in nursing homes, KTOE
Gov. Walz To Consider Bill To Ban Underage Marriage, KWLM
Deficit leaves lawmakers with painful math problem, MPR
Health
Trump Vows Complete End Of Obamacare Law Despite Pandemic, Washington Post
The U.S.’ coronavirus recovery is way behind Europe’s, Axios
The doctor making Trump queasy, Politico
Immigration
Trump order to paint border wall black could drive up cost $500 million or more, Washington Post
U.S. suspends protections for migrant kids at border, expelling hundreds amid pandemic, CBS News
First ICE detainee dies from coronavirus, CNN
US citizen spouses and children of unauthorized immigrants were shut out of stimulus relief. Now they’re suing., Vox
Minnesota Legislature
Senate passes bill outlawing child marriages in Minnesota, sending it to Walz, KSTP
House Majority Leader introduces adult-use cannabis legislation for Minnesota, KSTP
Minnesota News
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: 30 more dead as meatpacking plants drive up case count, MPR
Minnesota needs up to 4,000 more workers to track COVID-19, Star Tribune
New DHS web page offers tools to ease stress during COVID-19 pandemic, Kare 11
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: 30 more dead as meatpacking plants drive up case count, MPR
St. Cloud’s becoming a coronavirus hot spot, City Pages
Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Local dog grooming business receives visit from Rep. Angie Craig on first day of reopening, KSTP
Republicans
Grim Reaper Mitch (R-KY), The American Prospect
At least we can dump the pretense that the GOP is the ‘pro-life’ party, Washington Post
Republicans Have Politically Weaponized Judicial Appointments. Democrats Need to Do Likewise., New York Magazine
McConnell under mounting GOP pressure to boost state aid, The Hill
Azar faulted workers’ ‘home and social’ conditions for meatpacking outbreaks, Politico
On the Same Day Sen. Richard Burr Dumped Stock, So Did His Brother-in-Law. Then the Market Crashed., Mother Jones
Mnuchin Gets Into Twitter Spat With Guns N’ Roses Frontman, Talking Points Memo
House Republicans’ shameful attempt to squelch DeWine administration’s ability to issue emergency coronavirus orders, Cleveland.com
Senator Tina Smith
Smith introduces All Dependents Count Act, KEYC
Sen. Tina Smith presses IRS for procedure to return direct-deposit stimulus checks, Fox 9
Supreme Court of the US
Unanimous Supreme Court throws out ‘Bridgegate’ convictions, Associated Press
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg released from hospital after being treated for gallstones, NBC News
U.S. News
AP Exclusive: US shelves detailed guide to reopening country, Associated Press
Don’t Be Fooled by America’s Flattening Curve, NY Times
The Trump Administration Just Overhauled the Rules for Campus Sexual Assault Hearings, Mother Jones
The TSA Hoarded 1.3 Million N95 Masks Even Though Airports Are Empty and It Doesn’t Need Them, ProPublica
The killing of Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed black jogger in Georgia, explained, Vox
The Dumbest Aspects of the Apparent Mercenary Coup Attempt in Venezuela, New York Magazine
World News
How Climate Change Is Contributing to Skyrocketing Rates of Infectious Disease, ProPublica
The Tensions Underlying Pakistan’s Ramadan Decision, The Atlantic
Hundreds in hospital after deadly gas leak at Indian chemical factory, The Guardian
Poland moves to delay presidential election, Politico
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.
- Today through May 18 — Minnesota Stay at Home Order
- Today through May 23 — Ramadan
- 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 18 — Last Day of the 2020 Legislative Session
- May 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chambers, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- May 25 — Memorial Day
- May 30 -30 — State DFL Convention has now move to a virtual convention, more information as it becomes available.
- May 31 — Mandatory meeting for district-level DFL National Delegates, more information as it becomes available
- June 3
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available.
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available.
- June 4, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available.
- June 8
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available.
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available.