In the Know: December 3, 2019

Agriculture
CHINA HAS AMPLE FROZEN PORK SUPPLIES, Successful Farming

Congress
US Congress commits to act on climate crisis, despite Donald Trump, The Guardian
Mobile billboard travels Iowa exposing Joni Ernst’s plans to cut Social Security, Daily Kos

Donald Trump
Trump is becoming politically radioactive, CNN
Trump often ‘stumbles, slurs, gets confused’ and ‘can’t remember what he’s said or been told’: Anonymous White House official, Raw Story
Trump Acting Out ‘Orgasm’ To Mock FBI’s Lisa Page, Peter Strzok Was Last Straw, She Says, Huffington Post
Trump and Macron clash at NATO summit, CNN

Donald Trump’s Impeachment
Schiff Impeachment Report Expected Tuesday After Republicans’ Defense Of Trump, NPR
Read the House Republicans’ Report on the Impeachment Inquiry, New York Times
Democrats quietly debate expanding impeachment articles beyond Ukraine, The Washington Post

Donald Trump’s Trade War
GOP senators warn Trump trade deal will go into 2020 if deal not reached this week, The Hill
Trump administration threatens 100% tariffs on $2.4 billion in French goods, Marketwatch
Dow drops 450 points, biggest fall in 2 months, after Trump says he could wait on China deal, CNBC

Economy
Minnesota exports fall 2.2 percent in third quarter, Pioneer Press
Trump blames Fed for industrial slowdown spurred by fading global growth, The Hill

Elections
Georgia governor set to buck Trump on Senate appointment, Politico
The Trump campaign reportedly thinks Mike Pence could be the key to suburban votes, The Week

Environment
Pelosi to climate conference: ‘We’re still in’ Paris agreement, Politico
Boris Johnson urged to challenge Trump on climate denial, The Guardian
Walz forms climate ‘subcabinet’ to get MN back on track with emissions goals, MPR

Governor Tim Walz
Gov. Tim Walz Signs Executive Order On Climate Change, WCCO
Governor Tim Walz in Mankato for Environmental Congress at MSU-Mankato, KEYC

Health
Why are drug prices rising so much? Pharma exec admits “no other rationale” but profit-making, Salon
Minnesota OKs medical cannabis for chronic pain, eye disease, MPR

Immigration
ICE bought state driving records to track undocumented immigrants, Quartz

Minnesota News
4 dead, including 2 children, in suspected Mpls. murder-suicide, KARE11
Popular North Shore sea stack falls victim to powerful winter storm, Star Tribune
‘Not just physical violence’: Advocates say domestic violence goes beyond recent killings, MPR
Future of St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul could be decided this month, Pioneer Press
SCERAC takes argument that state is underfunding education to Court of Appeals, SC Times
New St. Paul housing facility is first of its kind for homeless Native American youth in Minnesota, Star Tribune

Representative Betty McCollum
Minnesota Rep. McCollum at Madrid climate meeting: ‘We’re still in it’, MPR News

Representative Collin Peterson
Congressman Collin Peterson talks bipartisan agriculture meeting with Senator John Hoeven, KFGO

Representative Dean Phillips
Congressman Dean Phillips Joins FICO at Free Consumer Financial Education Event, Yahoo Finance

Rep. Ilhan Omar Backs Amazon Protests on Cyber Monday, Newsmax

Republicans
GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter, after claiming ‘witch hunt,’ to plead guilty to misusing campaign funds, NBC News

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Amy Klobuchar Schools Meghan McCain on Impeachment, The Daily Beast

Senator Tina Smith

Senator Smith Wondering Why Most Farm Payments Going To Southern Farmers, KTOE

Supreme Court of the US
Supreme Court appears unlikely to hand victory to gun rights backers in 2nd Amendment case, NBC News
How Will The Supreme Court Rule In The Battle Over Trump’s Tax Returns?, FiveThirtyEight

U.S. News
Navy issues memo stressing ethical behavior in wake of SEAL controversy, CNN
Montana Residents Ask Supreme Court To Allow Cleanup Beyond Superfund Requirements, NPR
Installing Free Wi-Fi To Help Count Rural Communities Of Color In 2020 Census, NPR

World News
Amnesty says at least 208 killed in Iran protests, Al Jazeera
Typhoon Kammuri slams into Philippines, forcing thousands to flee, BBC News
Trump administration quietly releases Lebanon military aid, Associated Press
China Isn’t the Soviet Union. Confusing the Two Is Dangerous., The Atlantic
Finland’s Prime Minister, Antti Rinne, resigns following postal strike, EuroNews

Upcoming DFL Events:

  • December 3
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM – SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, check their website for specifics.
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM – SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact their chair at mgoodell@gmail.com for more information.
  • December 4
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM – SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room C102, Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room 172, Ridgedale Public Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • December 5, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chamber, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • December 6
    • 6:00 PM — DFL Founders Day Dinner with Special Guest Stacey Abrams, Hilton Hotel, 1001 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403. To sit at the CD3 DFL tables please contact Cheryl Poling at chpoling@comcast.net
  • December 7 — Pearl Harbor Day
    • State DFL Executive Committee and Central Committee Meetings, Washburn High School, 201 W 49th St, Minneapolis, MN 55419. Precinct Caucus kits will be distributed at this meeting to all party units. More information as it becomes available.
    • 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM — Expand the Vote with Stacey Abrams Hosted by the Minnesota DFL, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 301 19th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN. More information and ticketshere.
  • December 9
    • 5:00 to 6:30 PM — CD3 DFL National Delegate Selection Training, Maple Grove Public Library, 8001 Main St N, Maple Grove, MN 55369.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
  • December 10, 5:00 PM — CD3 DFL National Delegate Selection Training, Edina Public Library, 5280 Grandview Sq, Edina, MN 55436
  • December 12
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • December 18, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Holiday Party, The Nelson Home, 15440 Boulder Pointe Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55347. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Beverages will be provided.
  • December 22 through 30 — Chanukah
  • December 24 — Christmas Eve
  • December 25 — Christmas Day
  • December 31 — New Year’s Eve
  • January 1 — New Year’s Day
  • January 2, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • January 7
    • 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, Mississippi Room, 8500 W Broadway Avenue, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
  • January 9, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • January 13
    • 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
  • January 15, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • January 18, 6:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 DFL Winter Gala, Crooners Lounge and Supper Club, Dunsmore Room, 6161 Highway 65 NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432. With Rep. Dean Phillips, other speakers silent auction and live band Victoria and the Acts of Persuasion.
  • January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • January 25, 9:00 to 10:30 AM — CD3 DFL National Delegate Selection Training, Hennepin County Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • February 25, 7:00 t0 9:00 PM — Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucuses, more information as it becomes available
  • March 3 — Minnesota Super Tuesday Primary, more information as it becomes available.

In the Know: December 2 2019

Agriculture
As ‘nightmare’ harvest continues, Minnesota reports uptick in calls to rural helpline, Pioneer Press
3.7 Million Americans Would Lose Food Stamps Under Trump Administration Rules: Study, Huffington Post
Unharvested corn is latest blow from wild U.S. growing season, Duluth News Tribune

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota lags as sentiment builds against noncompete deals, Star Tribune
Attorney General Ellison to hold Rochester listening session on hate crimes, Post Bulletin
State officials to speak about rising cost of prescriptions, Post Bulletin

Congress
House Democrats have passed nearly 400 bills. Trump and Republicans are ignoring them., Vox
Top Republican on House Judiciary Committee calls for Adam Schiff to testify, CNN
Senate quicksand engulfs a bipartisan plan that Trump backs, Politico Continue reading “In the Know: December 2 2019”

In the Know: November 22, 2019

Agriculture
‘Perfect storm’ of fall weather – and falling numbers – hits wheat farmers hard, MPR

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Prescription drug prices solution forum set for Dec. 5 in Moorhead, Inforum

Congress
Trump signs short-term spending bill to stave off government shutdown, Axios
House committee passes marijuana bill to federally legalize the drug, Axios Continue reading “In the Know: November 22, 2019”

In the Know: November 21, 2019

Agriculture
VIDEO: Farmers on China Tariffs: ‘This Isn’t Just a Chess Match’, Wall Street Journal
To harvest or not to harvest puts farmers in a corn conundrum, Inforum

Congress
In Congressional First, Committee Approves Bill To End Marijuana Ban, Huffington Post
Devin Nunes Is Living in a Fantasyland, Atlantic
GOP senator blocks vote on House-passed Violence Against Women Act, The Hill
Lev Parnas Helped Rep. Devin Nunes’ Investigations, Daily Beast
U.S. Senate Passes Bill Supporting Hong Kong Protests, Newsy

Corruption Watch
Giuliani Says He Is Still Talking to Ukrainian Officials About Biden and 2016, Mother Jones
Why Hasn’t Rudy Giuliani Been Disbarred Yet?, Slate
Homeland Security Department sued for allegedly tracking and interrogating journalists, CNN Continue reading “In the Know: November 21, 2019”

In the Know: November 20, 2019

Agriculture
‘Booby traps’ found in Minnesota cornfield raise vandalism worries, MPR
A call for climate-focused agriculture policy, MinnPost

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Attorney General Keith Ellison steps in to fix ‘anti-competitive’ school milk prices, Pioneer Press
Ellison Announces Agreement To Help 40 School Districts Afford Milk For Students, KXRA

Congress
House passes short-term spending measure as talks falter, Associated Press
U.S. Senate Passes Bill Supporting Hong Kong Protests, Newsy Continue reading “In the Know: November 20, 2019”

In the Know: November 19, 2019

Agriculture
Thousands of seed potato acres in the Red River Valley will go to waste, Inforum

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Keith Ellison asks FTC to ban employers’ noncompete clauses, Pioneer Press

Congress
Jordan And Nunes ‘Reluctantly’ Ask Johnson For Info Relevant To Inquiry, Talking Points Memo
The House and Senate have a plan to keep the government running until right before Christmas,The Week
House Democrats Unveil Bill to Avert Shutdown This Week, Bloomberg Continue reading “In the Know: November 19, 2019”

In the Know: November 18, 2019

Agriculture
Struggling Farmers Are Key to Trump’s Hopes in Minnesota, Wall Street Journal
Trump Hails New Farm Aid Billions As Report Reveals Money Helps Wealthy, Southerners, Huffington Post
While you weren’t looking, the trade war with China went off the rails, Insider

Congress
GOP senator says whistleblower’s sources ‘exposed things that didn’t need to be exposed, NBC
Transcript: Rep. Jim Jordan on “Face the Nation”, November 17, 2019, CBS
Vote To Federally Legalize Marijuana Planned In Congress, Forbes

Corruption Watch
Trump to Award Presidential Medal of Freedom to Donor’s Wife, Voice of America Continue reading “In the Know: November 18, 2019”

In the Know: November 15, 2019

Agriculture
‘It’s Been Stressful’: Propane Shortage Adding To Difficult Harvest For Minnesota Farmers, WCCO
Minnesota farmers get rare good news as China lifts ban on U.S. poultry, Star Tribune
Trump Ag Secretary to Struggling Farmers: Get a Job!, Mother Jones
Sugar beet harvest is the worst in decades in parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, Star Tribune

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota attorney general joins Michigan suit to shut down Enbridge pipeline, Star Tribune

Congress
A Senator Was Handed A Note Alerting Him To The California School Shooting While Giving A Speech About Gun Violence, Buzzfeed
McConnell Speeds Up Confirming Judges After Hefty Donation From Conservative Legal Activist, American Prospect Continue reading “In the Know: November 15, 2019”

In the Know: November 13, 2019

Agriculture
Senate Democrats assail Trump’s $16B bailout for farmers, MPR
USDA STUMBLES ON RELEASE OF MARKET-MOVING CROP REPORT, Successful Farming
Farmers fight through snow, freezing weather to harvest crops, UPI

Attorney General Keith Ellison
FBI: Hate crimes slightly decline in Minnesota, MPR<

Congress
U.S. senators push for vote on Hong Kong rights bill as violence rises, Reuters Continue reading “In the Know: November 13, 2019”

In the Know: November 12, 2019

Agriculture
Green Acres: Minnesota farmers get $1 billion in subsidies, but checks also go to ‘city slickers’, Fox 9

Corruption Watch
Republicans used to ignore Trump’s resorts. Now they’re spending millions., Politico
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham has yet to hold a briefing with reporters, but finds time for Fox News, CNN
After boost from Perry, backers got huge gas deal in Ukraine, Associated Press

Donald Trump’s Impeachment
Democrats release three new transcripts as part of impeachment inquiry, The Hill
Why All of Trump’s Defenses Against Impeachment Are Doomed to Fail, Time
Trump’s lie about impeachment transcripts is one of his laziest yet, Vox
Giuliani associate flips on Trump, says he threatened Ukraine to investigate Biden or lose aid, Salon
Mulvaney to file separate suit to fight impeachment subpoena, The Hill Continue reading “In the Know: November 12, 2019”