In the Know: October 30, 2019

2020 Election
Most Democrats in 2016 Trump districts outraising GOP challengers, CBS News
Vox Sentences: Gerrymandering loses in North Carolina, Vox
Virginia state elections offer early political test ahead of 2020 U.S. race, Reuters
Georgia plans to remove over 300,000 inactive voters from its rolls, NBC News
Minnesota carpenter would be the state’s first openly transgender legislator, Star Tribune

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Ellison, once on al-Baghdadi’s hit list, responds to the ISIS leader’s death, Star Tribune
Forum on Islamophobia, bigotry and hate takes place Saturday at St. Cloud State, St. Cloud Times

Corruption Watch
When the Watchers’ Watchers Look the Other Way, The American Prospect
GOPer On Foreign Affairs Committee Admits He Hasn’t Gone To A Single Impeachment Hearing, Talking Points Memo

Donald Trump
Trump attacks on Vindman trigger backlash, The Hill
Trump’s Dark Assumption About America, The Atlantic

Donald Trump’s Impeachment Inquiry
The White House is interfering with the impeachment probe, Star Tribune
National security official tells Congress he tried to add edits to White House memo about Trump Ukraine call, NBC News
State department officials to testify Giuliani was seen as ‘obstacle’ on Ukraine, MPR
Diplomat: Bolton cautioned him about Giuliani and Ukraine, Star Tribune
More witnesses to testify as U.S. House prepares impeachment rules, Reuters

Donald Trump’s Trade War
TON: Why China Might Crush America in the Trade War, National Interest
Business investment drops 3% in third quarter amid trade war uncertainty, CNBC
US and China trade war: Two steps forward, three steps back, CNN

Economy
Unleash the Existing Anti-Monopoly Arsenal, The American Prospect
Ridiculous D.C. Invite of the Week: AIG’s Centennial Celebration, The American Prospect

Environment
Reagan Library evacuated as new, wind-driven fire breaks out north of Los Angeles, NBC News

Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota extends DMV road tests hours; some teens waited months for appointments, Pioneer Press
Water Gremlin workers lobby Walz over state shutdown, Pioneer Press

Health
Number of uninsured children rises for second year, tops 4 million, The Hill

Immigration
Hundreds of Minnesotans demand removal of beloved bishop’s name from ICE facility, CityPages

Labor
UPDATE: Chicago Teachers Strike Enters Week 3, Workday Minnesota

Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota lawmakers look to outlaw flavored tobacco, ban online vape sales, Duluth News Tribune
Why the push to restore felon voting rights in Minnesota went from a political issue to a legal one, MinnPost
Minnesota lawmakers urge changes for moms behind bars, Star Tribune

Minnesota News
Albert Lea hospital closes labor and delivery unit, MPR
Minnesota’s ACT scores remain tops among states where most take the test, Star Tribune
Legislative auditor blames $29 million in DHS overpayments on ‘troubling dysfunction’, Star Tribune
Chronic wasting fears force DNR to ‘scramble’ over deer carcass disposal in some areas, Pioneer Press
This year’s freshman class sees record diversity, a female majority, and lots of Minnesotans, Minnesota Daily

Republicans
Why are so many Republicans leaving Congress? My theory: soul-crushing chagrin and shame, MinnPost
Senate GOP in bind on impeachment, The Hill
Mulvaney was left in the dark on al-Baghdadi operation, NBC News

Senator Tina Smith
Money saver or bad deal? Debate over short-term insurance policies heads to Senate, Star Tribune
U.S. News
What the Katie Hill story means for young women in public life, Vox
Civil Rights Groups See Profound Danger in Facebook’s “Politicians Can Lie” Policy, Mother Jones

World News
The Windows of Wong Tai Sin, Reuters
Chile backs out of hosting APEC summit amid protest, The Hill
The Last Chance to Stop Brexit, The Atlantic
Bill introduced to give special immigrant visas to Kurds who helped US in Syria, The Hill

Upcoming DFL Events:

  • October 31 — Halloween
    • 5:00 to 7:00 PM — Trick or Treating at the Governor’s Residence, 1006 Summit Ave W, St. Paul, MN 55105
  • November 1 — Deadline for Senate Districts to report 2020 precinct caucus locations to the State DFL
    • 7:30 to 10:30 PM — SD35 DFL Event:  Man Cave-A One Man Sci-Fi Climate Change Tragicomedy, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433. More information and tickets here.
  • November 3 — Daylight Saving Time Ends
  • November 5 — Election Day, there are municipal and school board elections throughout CD3, check your municipality’s website or school districts website for specifics.
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, check their Facebook page for specifics
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Brooklyn Park Library, 8500 W Broadway Ave, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
  • November 6
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room C102, Kennedy High School, 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
  • November 8, 5:30 to 10:00 PM — CD3 DFL Night of Thanks, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels, 7800 Normamdale Blvd, Bloomington, MN 55439. More information here.
  • November 9, 6:00 to 9:00 PM — SD40 Homemade Pizza Party, 1512 Woodbind Ln, Brooklyn Center, MN
  • November 11 — Veterans Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 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
  • November 12, 6:00 to 8:00 PM — SD33 DFL Hops & Change Fun(d)raiser with Don Shelby, Back Channel Brewing Co, 4787 Shoreline Dr, Spring Park, MN 55384. More information and RSVP here.
  • November 14, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 553
  • November 16
    • 9:30 to 12:30 PM —  SD37 DFL Connections Lab Messaging Workshop, Teamsters Local 210, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Unit 120, Minneapolis, MN 55434. More information and RSVP here.
    • 5:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Fall Feastival and Silent Auction, 8950 Eden Prairie Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
  • November 20 — Democratic Presidential Debate, more information as it becomes available
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
  • November 21 , 5:30 to 10:00 PM — SD33 DFL “Hops and Change” Fundraiser with Guest Speaker Don Shelby, Back Channel Brewing, 4787 Shoreline Dr, Spring Park, MN 55384. More information and RSVP here.
  • November 28 — Thanksgiving