In the Know: October 13, 2020

Days to the November Election: 21

Let’s get to work!
If you’d like to help the DFL Party fight for criminal justice reform, better schools, wages, our environment, and health care, click here to get more involved there are events happening in your area.

Early voting!
Check out iwillvote.com/mn to learn more about early voting in person or by mail!

Agriculture
Record agricultural subsidies will account for 40 percent of farm income this yearThe Week
Ending hunger: science must stop neglecting smallholder farmersNature
American Crystal Sugar Co. alters stock policies to keep co-op spiritINFORUM
AFTER SHARP FALL, SOYBEAN PRICES REBOUND TUESDAYSuccessful Farming

Attorney General Keith Ellison 
Minnesota joins $1.6 billion settlement with U.S. opioid manufacturerTwin Cities Pioneer Press

Democratic Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
Longtime GOP Activist Endorses Joe Biden for President: ‘Character Is on the Ballot’Newsweek
Biden makes big push in Ohio, once seen as long shot for himAP News
Democrats in Trump Country: They’re Not Shy Anymore About Liking BidenNew York Times
Teen climate change activist Greta Thunberg endorses Joe BidenKXAN
Kamala Harris: Republicans “Reckless” In Holding Amy Coney Barrett Hearing Amid COVID-19 OutbreakDeadline
Sen. Harris: Ginsburg’s legacy is in jeopardyCNN

Environment
Fifth of countries at risk of ecosystem collapse, analysis findsThe GuardianClimate change: Better warning systems needed for extreme weather – UNBBC News
‘We’ve had so many wins’: why the green movement can overcome climate crisisThe Guardian

Governor Tim Walz
Walz signs order extending peacetime emergency; Legislature doesn’t stand in wayKSTP
Governor Walz Authorizes State Disaster Assistance for Five Counties Across MinnesotaKTOE

Health Care
A Supreme Court decision to strike down the ACA would create chaos in the health care system, Brookings
Collins admits Republicans don’t have ‘comprehensive’ health care plan if ACA repealedMaine Beacon

Immigration
Trump’s Overhaul of Immigration Is Worse Than You Think, New York Times
Trump immigration restrictions expected to impact economy long after he leaves White HousePhiladelphia Enquirer
Why Trump’s Immigration Policies Will Be So Hard to UndoRolling Stone

Labor
Unemployment was supposed to be temporary. Now, it’s permanent for almost 4 millionCNBC
Exclusive: America’s true unemployment rateAxios

Minnesota Legislature 
Peacetime Emergency Allowed To Stand Again After Votes By Minnesota LegislatureKVRR
MN Legislature to take a run at $1.36B bonding bill during special sessionPioneer Press

Minnesota News 
Second COVID-19 peak spreading more broadly in MinnesotaStar Tribune
Minnesota to allow more visits to nursing homes, long-term care facilitiesMPR

Representative Collin Peterson (CD7)
Here are the 11 House races to watch on Election DayNBC

Republicans
The Republican Party is objectively pro-coronavirusThe Week
McConnell warns Democrats are ‘on fire’ as GOP falls behind on fundraising and pollingCNN
GOP Senator Skewered For Griping About How Much It Hurts To Be Called A RacistHuffington Post
GOP senator defends Trump by claiming mask mandate would have failedAxios

Republican Presidential and Vice Presidential Donald Trump and Mike Pence 
Trump mocks virus as he launches potential superspreader sprint to win reelectionCNN
Foxconn investment falls short of Trump promiseBBC News
Trump Is Killing the Economy Out of SpiteNew York Times
Trump’s properties made $238,000 on Secret Service bills from Ivanka, Eric, and Donald Jr.’s visitsThe Week

Supreme Court of the US
Barrett refuses to express views on landmark abortion casesThe Hill
The Latest: Barrett says she can’t answer on election delayStar Tribune
On Day One of Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court Hearing, Democrats Focus on Health CareTime Magazine
5 takeaways from Monday’s Senate hearing on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney BarrettCNN
5 things to watch on Day Two of ACB’s confirmation hearingPolitico

Secretary of State Steve Simon
Federal judge upholds Minnesota’s extended ballot countingSpokesman-Review
More small Minnesota communities are going ‘mail-in only’ this year due to COVID-19KARE11

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar slams ‘sham’ hearing for Supreme Court pick in personal termsStar Tribune
‘The Truth Matters’: Klobuchar Warns of Barrett’s Past Opinions Critical of the ACANBC4

U.S. News
A 25-year-old man becomes first in the U.S. to contract coronavirus twice, with second infection ‘more severe’CNBC
5 takeaways from Monday’s Senate hearing on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney BarrettCNN
Senator Gary Peters becomes first sitting senator in history to share his abortion storyCBS

World News
‘Very unethical’: Russian sovereign wealth fund chief slams criticism of his country’s coronavirus vaccineCNBC
Coronavirus: WHO head calls herd immunity approach ‘immoral’BBC
Belarus police will fire on protesters if necessary, says deputy interior ministerGuardian

DFL Headquarters Office Hours 
Looking to buy yard signs or Biden-Harris merchandise? WE ARE FULLY STOCKED WITH SIGNS IN ALL SIZES! Stop by the DFL Headquarters on 255 East Plato Blvd in St Paul, we are now open to the public from 12:00-5:00 PM Monday-Friday. 

Upcoming Events:

  • Today through November 2 — General Election Early Voting
  • October 15 — Prime time ABC Town Hall with Joe Biden, more specifics as it becomes available
  • October 19, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for more information.
  • October 21, 7:00 to 900 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, if you’re a member of the CD3 Central Committee or a representative of a DFL campaign in CD3, please email info@dfl3cd.org for virtual log in information.
  • October 22 — Presidential Debate, more information as it becomes available
  • October 31 — Halloween
  • November 1 — Daylight Saving Time ends
  • November 2 — Last day for in-person early voting
  • November 3 — Election Day
    • 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM — Polls open for in person voting. Not certain where to vote? Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website here.
  • November 4, 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • November 5, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.