Eric Black Ink
Trump’s approval ratings rise in several polls
You can decide for yourself whether this reflects an abiding belief that he is handling the crisis well, or is something more like a reflexive rally-round-the-leader impulse.
Politics & Policy
Health
The daily coronavirus update: 25 new cases, Walz’s stay-at-home order, building ICU capacity
Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm also said the supply chain continues to be a problem when it comes to COVID-19 testing, especially when it comes to collecting samples.
State Government
Who and what is and isn’t covered by Minnesota’s new ‘stay-at-home’ order
What Minnesota’s stay-at-home order restricts (and doesn’t) — and how it will be enforced.
State Government
Walz issues ‘stay-at-home’ order for Minnesota; extends closure of schools, bars and restaurants
“It doesn’t mean you don’t step out of your house,” the governor said of the executive order. “This does not mean that you can’t do some of the things that keep life functioning on. But it does mean that we’re getting more restrictive.”
National
Rep. Angie Craig wants to ban members of Congress from owning stocks. After coronavirus-related trading by senators, her bill’s getting renewed attention
While the conspicuous coronavirus stock sales drew attention to her bill, Craig said there’s a lot of information members of Congress are privy to that should prompt concern.
State Government
Minnesota lawmakers to convene Thursday to pass COVID-19 response bill — after working for a week outside the public eye
By splitting up the conference calls by party, lawmakers were able to avoid triggering rules on open meetings.
Eric Black Ink
Message to Kellyanne Conway: Criticizing Trump is finding fault with him, period
Trump did everything he could to minimize and dismiss the COVID-19 threat from mid-February to mid-March, which was roughly the opposite of what his experts were trying to get him to say and do.
Health
COVID-19 hits home for Minnesota’s most prominent politicians
COVID-19 has hit the families of Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. Then, on Monday morning, Gov. Tim Walz announced he was self-quarantining after a member of his security detail tested positive for the virus.
Health
Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s husband, John Bessler, sick with COVID-19
Klobuchar wrote that Bessler started to feel sick when Klobuchar was in Minnesota and he was still in Washington.
National
A new Super PAC wants to raise $1 million to re-elect Rep. Collin Peterson. It’s already halfway there
The committee has close ties to the American sugar industry.
Health
The daily coronavirus update: unemployment applications spike; YMCA expanding services for children
Gov. Tim Walz doesn’t consider a “shelter-in-place” order necessary now but may make such an order in the future.
Business
What internet providers are doing to keep Minnesotans online during the pandemic
Internet providers in Minnesota have signed on to the Keep Americans Connected Pledge, which says that the companies won’t terminate internet service to residential or small business customers for reasons connected to the coronavirus crisis.
State Government
How well is Minnesota state government prepared to weather a COVID-19 recession?
Minnesota has a record-high rainy day fund, a substantial surplus and an unemployment insurance trust fund that tops $1.5 billion. Is that enough to withstand the expected economic downturn from the coronavirus outbreak?
