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AG Frey Joins Coalition Condemning DOJ Coercion Against Minnesota

Maine Attorney General Aaron M. Frey joined a coalition of 22 state attorneys general in condemning the Department of Justice's use of armed federal agents to coerce Minnesota officials into turning over protected resident data including Medicaid, SNAP, and voter information. The coalition, led by New York AG Letitia James, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on January 29, 2026, asserting the demands intrude on state sovereignty and conflict with ongoing court-ordered protections. The attorneys general warned they will continue to defend state sovereignty and resident rights against unlawful federal interference.

University of Minnesota Kinase Degradation Compounds for Cancer Treatment

USPTO granted Patent US12605452B2 to the Regents of the University of Minnesota on April 21, 2026. The patent covers compounds of Formula (I) or (II) comprising Aurora A or CDK4/6 ligands linked to E3 ligase ligands, along with pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating cancer using such compounds. The patent contains 13 claims.

State v. Wentz - Downward Sentencing Departure Affirmed

The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's grant of a downward durational departure for Kevin Neil Wentz, who pleaded guilty to fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle under Minnesota Statutes section 609.487. The state challenged the departure, arguing the district court relied on inadequate grounds including Wentz's autism diagnosis, which was not formally documented. The appellate court upheld the departure based on the totality of circumstances: Wentz's autism diagnosis was raised by defense counsel, the fleeing occurred at relatively low speed with proper signaling and lane maintenance, and the district court expressed concern about punishing Wentz for behavior attributable to his disability. Wentz received 364 days in jail with 360 days stayed for two years plus four days credit for time served.

State v. Whalen - Insufficient Evidence for Threats of Violence Conviction

The Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed Charles William Whalen's threats-of-violence conviction under Minn. Stat. § 609.713, subd. 1, finding insufficient evidence that he intended to terrorize a police chief or acted in reckless disregard of that risk. The court found that the omission of threatening language from a follow-up email sent directly to the police chief supported a reasonable inference other than guilt. The district court's 12-month sentence (stayed for five years) is vacated.

GEBSCO Inc Acquires Rushford State Bank Application

The Federal Reserve System published a notice that GEBSCO Inc., Mondovi, Wisconsin, has applied to the Board for approval under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to acquire Rushford State Bank (Incorporated), Rushford, Minnesota. The application is available for public inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and interested persons may submit written comments on the standards enumerated in the BHC Act. Comments must be received by May 22, 2026.

Bank Holding Company Merger Applications Notice

The Federal Reserve published a notice announcing bank holding company merger applications under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. GEBSCO, Inc. of Mondovi, Wisconsin applied to acquire Rushford State Bank of Rushford, Minnesota. The public comment deadline is May 22, 2026.

Minnesota SF4749 Creates Task Force on Housing Taxes and Fees

Minnesota SF4749 passed the Senate on March 23, 2026, establishing a Task Force on Housing Taxes and Fees. The bill was introduced March 20, 2026, advanced through committee referrals in Housing and Homelessness Prevention, State and Local Government, and Taxes, and was amended before passage. The task force's mandate, membership, and timeline for reporting recommendations will be determined through the bill's further legislative progress.

Omnibus Cannabis Bill SF4401 Passes Minnesota Senate

Minnesota Senate Bill SF4401, an omnibus cannabis bill, passed the full Senate on March 12, 2026, advancing to the next stage of the legislative process. The bill was introduced on March 11, 2026, by sponsors David Dibble and Lindsey Port, and was referred to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee before being re-referred to the Finance Committee on April 7, 2026, with a 'do pass as amended' recommendation. The bill awaits further legislative action before becoming law.

Ludwig v. Dakota County - Special-Errand Exception to Workers' Comp Affirmed

The Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals in Ludwig v. Dakota County, holding that an employee's injury sustained while loading work equipment into her vehicle to return to a hybrid in-office schedule is compensable under the special-errand exception to the general rule excluding commuting injuries. The court found that Dakota County's directive to return to the office implicitly required employees to bring their equipment back before the shift began, transforming the return trip from a non-compensable commute into a compensable special errand. The decision reverses the compensation judge's reliance on Thompson v. Minnesota Trial Courts, distinguishing it because Ludwig had no backup equipment available at the office while Thompson's employee did.

Minnesota Launches Candidate Resources, Filing Opens May 19

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon announced new candidate resources four weeks before the filing period opens May 19, 2026, including updated webpages on mnvotes.gov, four versions of candidate affidavits, and the 2026 Campaign Manual. New laws require state and local candidates to show a photo ID and proof of residence when filing affidavits, with federal candidates and certain judicial/county offices exempt under Section 204B.06 MN Statutes. The filing period closes June 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

SF4419 Prescription Drug Transaction, Coverage, and Data Provisions

Minnesota Senate File SF4419, sponsored by Sen. Melissa Wiklund (D), has passed the Senate as of March 12, 2026. The bill addresses prescription drug transaction, coverage, and data provisions. The bill was introduced March 12, 2026, received committee review in Health and Human Services and Commerce and Consumer Protection, and passed the Senate chamber before being re-referred to the Health and Human Services Committee on April 7, 2026.

Electronic Monitoring in Employment Settings Bill Passes Minnesota Senate

The Minnesota Senate passed SF4686 on March 23, 2026, a bill regulating the use of electronic monitoring tools in employment settings. The bill was sponsored by Senators Erin Maye Quade and Jen McEwen, advanced from the Labor Committee, and was referred to the State and Local Government Committee with a recommendation to pass as amended. The legislation now proceeds for House consideration as part of the 94th Legislature (2025-2026) session.

Minnesota High Schools Invited to Direct Admissions 2026-27

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) is inviting new high schools to participate in Direct Admissions Minnesota for the 2026-27 academic year. The voluntary program involves 55 Minnesota colleges and universities reviewing academic records of participating high school seniors to offer proactive admission. High schools interested in joining should complete the Direct Admissions High School Interest Form by March 31, 2026, or attend one of two virtual information sessions on March 27 or March 31, 2026.

Minnesota Colleges Invited to Apply for ECFE Teacher Shortage Grant Program

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education announced the opening of the Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) Teacher Shortage Grant Program Request for Proposals. Up to $950,000 is available to award eligible postsecondary institutions grants of up to $250,000 each. The program aims to strengthen the pipeline of licensed teachers serving Minnesota's youngest learners, with priority for future educators from rural communities and students of color. Eligible applicants are Minnesota postsecondary institutions offering PELSB-Approved teacher preparation programs.

Minnesota OHE Receives $100K Grant to Develop Sustainable State Financial Aid Model

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education received a $100,000 grant through Lumina Foundation's Great Admissions Redesign initiative to develop, model, and test a new framework for disbursing state financial aid dollars. OHE is one of 10 grant recipients, with Lumina investing a total of $3.5 million to simplify the college admissions process and expand student access across the nation. Any changes to the financial aid model would require approval of the Minnesota Legislature.

Coroners and Medical Examiners Disposition of Decedents' Personal Property Provisions Modifications

Minnesota Senate File 4661 proposes modifications to provisions governing coroners and medical examiners regarding disposition of decedents' personal property. The bill passed the State and Local Government Committee on March 23, 2026, and received a committee report to pass before being re-referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on April 7, 2026. The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart (D) in the 94th Legislature (2025-2026).

SF4776 DHS Child Services Forecast Modifications Passed

The Minnesota Senate passed SF4776 on March 25, 2026, implementing forecast adjustments for the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The bill was introduced by Sen. Melissa Wiklund (D) and referred through the Health and Human Services Committee before advancing to the Finance Committee for passage. As a technical state budget and forecasting modification, this bill affects administrative processes within Minnesota's child welfare and social services departments.

SF4531 Mental Health Grants Appropriation Passes Minnesota Senate

Minnesota Senate passed SF4531, a mental health grants appropriation bill, on March 17, 2026 during the 94th Legislature (2025-2026). The bill was sponsored by Sen. Melissa Wiklund (D). The legislation was referred to the Finance committee after advancing through Health and Human Services and Judiciary and Public Safety committees, with a committee report to pass issued on April 7, 2026.

SF4889 Noncommercial Radio Station Grants Eligibility Modifications

Minnesota Senate Bill SF4889 passed committee referral, modifying eligibility requirements for noncommercial radio station grants and establishing an appropriation. The bill was introduced by Sen. Heather Gustafson (D) and referred to the Finance Committee after passing the State and Local Government Committee.

Minnesota SF4687 Removes Consumer Protection Restitution Account Deposit Limit

Minnesota Senate Bill SF4687 passed its chamber, removing the deposit limit on the state's consumer protection restitution account while establishing new distribution limits. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Ann Rest and referred to the Finance Committee after passing Commerce and Consumer Protection. The 94th Legislature session runs through 2026.

Workers Memorial Day Ceremony Honors Fallen Transportation Workers

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced a Workers Memorial Day ceremony to honor transportation workers who were killed or injured on the job. The ceremony is scheduled for April 28 at 9:30 a.m. at the MnDOT building in Mankato, co-hosted with AFSCME Local 280 and with Minnesota State Patrol participation.

MnDOT Hosts Public Open House May 5 for Fort Road Roundabouts Project

MnDOT announced a public open house on May 5, 2026 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Lafayette Township Hall in Klossner, Minnesota. The event will inform residents about the upcoming construction of single-lane roundabouts at two state highway intersections along Fort Road (Nicollet County Road 5): Highway 15/Fort Road in Klossner and Highway 111/Fort Road north of Nicollet. Funding comes from the High Risk Rural Roads program aimed at improving safety at rural intersections. Preliminary tree clearing is expected in early May with full construction beginning mid-May under traffic detour.

Farm Equipment Road Safety Tips for Spring Planting Season

MnDOT issued a public safety advisory urging motorists and farm equipment operators to safely share Minnesota roadways during the 2026 spring planting season. Crash data from 2023–2025 documents 392 crashes involving farm equipment, resulting in 12 deaths and 167 injuries. The advisory provides specific safety recommendations for both motorist and farm equipment operator behavior on rural roads.

Jason Lee Martin v. State of Minnesota - Hearsay/Postconviction Appeal Affirmed

The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the postconviction denial for Jason Lee Martin, who was convicted in 2022 of multiple offenses including first-degree burglary. Martin petitioned for postconviction relief in 2024, arguing the district court plainly erred by admitting an out-of-court statement made by Ryan Jensen, who Martin claimed was not unavailable as a witness. The appellate court concluded Jensen was properly deemed unavailable because he persistently refused to testify and claimed lack of memory of the subject matter, satisfying the statement-against-interest exception to the hearsay rule.

Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative Fined $1.15 Million for Excess Hydrogen Sulfide Emissions

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fined Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative $1.15 million for emitting hydrogen sulfide above permitted levels from its Renville facility. The agency documented 1,023 violations of the 0.03 parts per million limit and 279 violations of the 0.05 parts per million limit between 2019 and 2025. Under 2023 legislation, $460,000 of the fine will go to the Renville County Public Health Department, and the cooperative must submit a compliance plan to the MPCA.

DOJ Sues Minnesota over Title IX Violations Regarding Girls Sports and Intimate Spaces

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division filed suit on March 30, 2026, against the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League, alleging Title IX violations for allowing boys to compete in girls' athletic events and access female-designated intimate spaces such as multi-person locker rooms and bathrooms. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief along with damages for sex-based discrimination against female student athletes. The MDE receives over $3 billion in combined federal funding from the Department of Education and HHS, and MDE has authority over MSHSL athletic policies, including nondiscrimination rules.

MN AG Wins Appeals Court Ruling Blocking HUD Funding Restrictions on Homelessness Programs

A federal appeals court rejected HUD's request to allow funding restrictions on the Continuum of Care program to take effect, siding with Minnesota and a multistate coalition that sued the agency last November. HUD had planned to cut permanent housing funding by two-thirds and reduce renewal guarantee protections from approximately 90% to 30% for grants starting in 2026. The appeals court agreed with the states that implementing the restrictions would be "immediately destabilizing and disastrous" for constituents relying on stable housing.

AG Rayfield, 20 States Sue Over Mercury Pollution Rule Rollback

Attorney General Dan Rayfield and 20 other states and local governments filed a lawsuit on March 31, 2026 challenging the Trump administration's rollback of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule. The MATS Rule limits emissions of mercury, arsenic, lead, acid gases, and other toxic pollutants from coal and oil-fired power plants. The coalition argues the administration failed to provide a reasoned basis for the rollback and did not adequately consider developments in pollution control technologies. The lawsuit seeks a court determination that the rule reversal is unlawful and must be reversed. Mercury emissions from power plants contaminate waterways including the Columbia River and pose neurodevelopmental risks to pregnant women and children.

Private Equity Transportation M&A: $11B Georgia Highway, Rail Deals

Akin Gump's annual private equity transportation sector review covers M&A activity in 2025, a year marked by trade uncertainty and cautious deal-making. Key transactions include the $11 billion Georgia SR 400 greenfield P3 highway project — the largest in U.S. history — funded in part by a $3.9 billion TIFIA loan and $3.4 billion Private Activity Bond issuance. Rail consolidation accelerated with the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, Canadian National's Iowa Northern purchase, and a GATX-Brookfield joint venture paying $4.4 billion for 105,000 Wells Fargo railcars. The article also covers Jones Act shipping investment, P3 airport development, and autonomous vehicle tech M&A as forward-looking themes.

NCL Bahamas Settlement - Minnesota Receives $110k

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a $2,000,000 multistate settlement with NCL Bahamas, Ltd. following a multistate investigation into deceptive sales practices and cancellation procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Minnesota will receive $110,695.52 from the settlement. The settlement prohibits NCL from making deceptive or unsubstantiated sales statements to consumers and from incentivizing sales over consumer health and safety during disaster declarations.

Minnesota Guidance on Health Coverage for Gender Affirming Care

Minnesota issued a joint administrative bulletin clarifying that discrimination based on gender identity or expression in health insurance coverage is prohibited. This bulletin supersedes prior guidance and emphasizes existing laws to ensure access to medically necessary gender affirming care.