Dear John,

I hope you had a great week. Once again, we’re packing the top of the Digest with campaign news. I’ll be on the doors this weekend. If you’re inspired by the New York Times piece on the power of deep canvassing, sign up to join us.

Let me know if you have anything fun planned this weekend. As always, I love to read your notes.

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week:

1. Minneapolis & St. Paul

With less than two weeks to Election Day, here are this week’s must-read headlines:

• Minnesota Reformer: Minneapolis cop says officers have taken ‘hands-off’ approach to crime fighting.
• Ricardo Levins Morales: Can Chief Arradondo fix the Minneapolis Police?
• Star Tribune: As a former Minneapolis deputy mayor, I favor Question 2's policing overhaul.
• Bring Me the News: Frey challengers Knuth, Nezhad agree to rank each other 2nd, urge supporters to follow suit.
• Star Tribune: Kate Knuth attempts to stand out in Minneapolis mayor's race.
• Sahan Journal: Sheila Nezhad’s run for Minneapolis mayor focuses on transforming public safety and making the city more democratic.
• Pioneer Press: Mitra Jalali, et al: Here’s why we elected officials urge a ‘yes’ vote on rent stabilization in St. Paul.

2. Deep Canvassing

From the fight for marriage equality to transforming public safety, deep canvassing is a powerful tool to change hearts and minds. Read this week’s New York Times story about TakeAction Minnesota’s deep canvassing work on the Yes 4 Minneapolis campaign.

3. Azrin Awal

She would be the first Asian American to serve on the Duluth City Council. Check out this profile on Azrin Awal, one of TakeAction’s endorsed candidates.

4. Child Care

The U.S. spends less public money on childcare than most other wealthy nations. Read this widely circulated piece on how 1 in 3 families with young children are struggling to afford care.

5. Baby Boomers

Boomers: younger generations need your activism. Check out this project to organize people over 60 in the LA Times.

6. General Strike

Half a million South Koreans walked off their jobs in a mass general strike this week. Get the background on the strike and learn about workers’ demands.

7. Burnout

This is one of the best pieces I’ve read about burnout and the Great Resignation. Read why people are leaving their jobs in Refinery 29.

8. India Walton

A Black nurse and democratic socialist, India Walton is running for mayor of Buffalo New York. She won the democratic primary and picked up endorsements from AOC and Senator Schumer. This race is getting national attention as incumbent Mayor Byron Brown runs a write-in campaign for re-election. Get the scoop from Democracy Now and see the coverage in the Wall Street Journal.

9. The Baldies

There’s so much fascinating history in this new TPT documentary about The Baldies, a multi-racial, Minneapolis street-crew that fought racists in the 1980s. Watch the documentary now or bookmark for later.

10. Smashing Pumpkins

Enjoy the delicious noise of an elephant smashing a pumpkin. Thanks, Internet! Here’s the video.

That’s a wrap. Send me what you’re reading!

- Kenza Hadj-Moussa