Midwest

Minnesota lawmakers debate constitutional amendment to protect abortion and LGBTQ rights

Published

2 years ago

May 7, 2024

Minnesota lawmakers debate constitutional amendment to protect abortion and LGBTQ rights

Minnesota lawmakers launched their debate Monday on far-reaching legislation to amend the constitution to protect abortion and LGBTQ rights.

The Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment would be among the nation’s most expansive protections of abortion and LGBTQ rights if it is approved by lawmakers this session and then by voters on the 2026 ballot.

MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS INITIATE DEBATE ON PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL

Over 100 people crammed into the legislative hearing room Monday. Supporters wore green clothes and buttons that said “ERA YES” while opponents wore bright red shirts that said “NO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT to kill unborn babies.”

Betty Folliard, whose group ERA Minnesota has been pushing for such a measure since 2014, testified in support, as did members of Gender Justice — an advocacy organization for gender equity — and OutFront Minnesota, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group.

A green sign that says “YES on ERA!” is held by a supporter of the proposed Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment at the Minnesota Capitol building in St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 12, 2024. The proposal would be among the most expansive protections of abortion rights and LGBTQ rights in the nation if it is approved by lawmakers this session and then by Minnesota voters on the 2026 ballot. (AP Photo/Trisha Ahmed)

“This isn’t just about reproductive justice,” Folliard said in an interview. “It’s also about pay inequity, historic stereotypes and discrimination that keep on being overlooked, generation to generation to generation.”

The amendment’s wording would prohibit the state from discriminating against anyone on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability or sex — including gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. The state also couldn’t discriminate over a person “making and effectuating decisions about all matters relating to one’s own pregnancy or decision whether to become or remain pregnant.”

Minnesota already has a non-discrimination law, the Human Rights Act, that applies to individuals, businesses, schools and other institutions. The constitutional amendment would apply to state government, and would protect certain laws — including recent ones that have made Minnesota a refuge for out-of-state people seeking an abortion and gender-affirming care — from being repealed by future lawmakers and administrations.

Carrena Falls testified in opposition. She said she’s a college student in the Twin Cities who is “repulsed” by the proposal, which would “enshrine a radical abortion agenda into our Constitution.”

Others who testified against the proposal included members of Minnesota Family Council, a Christian advocacy group; Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, an anti-abortion group; and Minnesota Catholic Conference, a policy organization for the Catholic Church.

Rebecca Delahunt, director of public policy at Minnesota Family Council, said she’s concerned the ERA would grant children a constitutional right to gender-affirming care.

Republican House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth said she is “very disappointed” that Democrats developed the proposal without Republican input. Her motion to submit the proposal to questioning in other House committees failed along party lines.

Democrat House Majority Leader Jamie Long’s motion advancing the proposal to the House floor succeeded with a 9-5 vote along party lines.

“These rights are so incredibly important,” Long said. “We know that Legislatures can change, and we know the courts can change. But the Constitution is the one thing that we know will stay in effect.”

If approved by the Legislature, voters in 2026 would be asked: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to say that all persons shall be guaranteed equal rights under the laws of this state, and shall not be discriminated against on account of race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex, including pregnancy, gender, and sexual orientation?”

If approved, the amendment would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

Last year, a different Minnesota ERA proposal passed in the Senate but did not get a final vote in the House.

Democratic Rep. Kaohly Vang Her, a chief author of both proposals, said several Democrats wanted the ERA to do more to protect transgender and reproductive rights. She said recent attacks on transgender people and the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court have been top of mind for many Democrats.

Democrats have only narrow majorities — their margin is just one vote in the Senate — so they need the support of most in their party if Republicans oppose the legislation. If placed on the ballot, the constitutional amendment would need to be approved by a majority of all voters casting ballots, not just a majority of those voting on the question.

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Detroit, MI

Mutiny Tiki Bar in southwest Detroit to close, owners say

Published

1 hour ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

Mutiny Tiki Bar in southwest Detroit to close, owners say

Southwest Detroit’s tropical cocktail spot appears to be saying it’s last call, and hopefully, someone continues to carry the torch for the Mutiny Tiki Bar.

Owners of the bar said in a social media post on Monday that the Polynesian-inspired party at the tiki-themed watering hole was ending. The bar is located at 4654 Vernor Highway near Clark Avenue.

“Friends, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of Mutiny Tiki Bar,” the post said. “For nine incredible years, you’ve filled our space with laughter, music, celebration, and community. We are endlessly grateful for every visit, every toast, and every memory made under our roof.”

The post said the last day of service will be March 1. The owners said it’s no longer possible for the bar to continue operating under its current business levels.

“Please join us in the coming days to raise one last glass, share your favorite stories, and help us send Mutiny off in true tiki style,” they said. “Thank you for being part of our journey— it has meant more to us than words can express.”

The owners could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

@CharlesERamirez

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Milwaukee, WI

Wauwatosa sweep vaults Brookfield East in area boys basketball rankings

Published

2 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

Wauwatosa sweep vaults Brookfield East in area boys basketball rankings

Several top Milwaukee-area high school boys basketball teams are competing for conference titles and top seeds.
Brookfield East is named team of the week after two key conference wins put it in contention for the Greater Metro Conference title.
West Allis Central dropped in the rankings after its star player, Yusef Gray Jr., was reported to be out for the season.
Wisconsin Lutheran remains undefeated and holds the top spot in the area rankings.

It is a big week for several top high school boys hoops teams in the Milwaukee area, as programs make their final cases for top seeds and clinch conference titles.

Slinger and Whitefish Bay, locked in a dead heat for the North Shore title, are ranked just as close in our area rankings this week. Brookfield East earns our team of the week nod after a sweep of conference opponents gave it the inside track for a Greater Metro Conference title. West Allis Central kept winning last week, but the news that Iowa State commit and 6-foot-5 senior guard Yusef Gray Jr. is reportedly out for the season dropped the Bulldogs another couple spots.

Wauwatosa West dropping a barn-burner to Brookfield East drops it out of the top 10 this week, while Milwaukee Audubon Tech (13-7) has lost three straight games to drop out of others considered.

Here are our full area rankings, team of the week and games to watch in the week ahead.

AREA RANKINGS

Team (W-L), last week

Wisconsin Lutheran (21-0), 1
Port Washington (20-1), 2
Milwaukee Juneau (19-1), 5
New Berlin West (19-2), 3
Brookfield East (17-4), 9
Slinger (17-4), 4
Whitefish Bay (16-5), –
West Allis Central (19-2), 6
Golda Meir (16-2), 8
Howard Fuller Collegiate (18-2), 10

Others considered: Arrowhead (15-6), Germantown (12-8), Greendale (16-5), Hartford Union (15-6), Kettle Moraine (14-7), Lake Country Lutheran (16-3), Milwaukee Bay View (17-3), Milwaukee Vincent (12-2), Racine Case (17-4), Wauwatosa West (15-5).

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Brookfield East

Seemingly back to full health upon the return of breakout 6-foot freshman guard Max McMullen, the Spartans surged to the top of a cutthroat Greater Metro Conference race with two league wins by narrow margins last week.

Brookfield East completed a sweep of Wauwatosa last week, first beating Tosa East in double overtime on Feb. 10. Senior 6-3 guard TJ Platz scored 31 points with 11 rebounds to lead the win, with 6-foot senior guard Owen Counsell adding 14 points and nine rebounds off the bench. In a star-studded Feb. 13 meeting with Tosa West, the Spartans overcame 44 points from Matthew Kloskey and 29 from Jalen Brown of the Trojans to win a 100-95 track meet. Senior 5-9 guard Ronje Horton Jr. had a team-best 27 points, while McMullen added 25 in his return to action from a right arm injury. Platz had 20 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while 6-1 sophomore guard Davian White had 11 points off the bench.

The victories put Brookfield East at 11-3 in the GMC entering the week, putting it ahead of Germantown (10-4), Wauwatosa West (9-4) and Brookfield Central (9-4) among remaining conference title contenders. A win Feb. 17 over Central could clinch at least a share of the title for East, whose final league game is against West Allis Hale (1-13) on Feb. 20.

COMING UP

Milwaukee Lutheran at West Allis Central, 7 p.m. Feb. 19: Milwaukee Lutheran hung with WAC like few teams had before Gray Jr.’s injury earlier this year, and will look to avenge that 99-85 loss from Jan. 27.

Germantown at Whitnall, 7 p.m. Feb. 20: A pair of scrappy teams just outside the lead in their respective conferences lock up as they prepare for the WIAA postseason.

Arrowhead at Marquette, 4 p.m. Feb. 21: While both programs are not quite where they were two years ago, a rematch of the 2024 WIAA Division 1 state title could be the springboard for either program to make another deep postseason run.

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Minneapolis, MN

Alex Pretti shooting: Minnesota BCA says FBI officially denied them access to evidence in case

Published

2 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

Alex Pretti shooting: Minnesota BCA says FBI officially denied them access to evidence in case

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota BCA has announced the FBI has officially informed the agency it will not allow the state access to evidence in the shooting of Alex Pretti at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis last month.

FBI denies access to Pretti evidence

What we know:

In a statement on Monday, the BCA said the notification about the denial came on Feb. 13 as the agency reiterated requests for information on the shootings of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and Julio Sosa-Celis.

The state had argued in court for the preservation of evidence in the Pretti shooting and was initially granted a restraining order which was later lifted as the Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation into the shooting. Federal officials have said the shooting is being reviewed jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and FBI.

What’s next:

The BCA says it will continue to investigate the shootings despite the lack of cooperation from the federal government.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has said she expects to have enough evidence to make a charging decision in Pretti’s shooting along with the Good and Sosa-Celis shootings. However, there are questions about whether a state case against a federal officer would survive the courts due to the Supremacy clause in the constitution.

The backstory:

Alex Pretti was shot and killed on Saturday, Jan. 24 after a confrontation outside of Glam Doll Donuts along Nicollet Avenue.

ProPublica has identified the federal officers involved in the shooting as Border Patrol Agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection Officer Raymundo Gutierrez.

Witness video appears to show agents disarming Pretti before gunfire erupted. According to the New York Post, the Department of Homeland Security was investigating whether an agent misfired Pretti’s weapon after seizing it, leading other officers to mistake the accidental shot for an attack.

Full statement from the Minnesota BCA

What they’re saying:

The FBI formally notified the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) on Feb. 13 that it will not provide the BCA with access to any information or evidence that it has collected in the Jan. 24 shooting death of Alex Pretti. The BCA reiterated the request to receive information, access to evidence, and cooperation in the Jan. 7 shooting death of Renee Good and the Jan. 14 shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis. It remains unclear if there will be any cooperation or sharing of information related to those two shootings.

While this lack of cooperation is concerning and unprecedented, the BCA is committed to thorough, independent and transparent investigations of these incidents, even if hampered by a lack of access to key information and evidence. Our agency has committed to the FBI and Department of Justice that should its stance change we remain willing to share information that we have obtained with that agency and would welcome a joint investigation. We will continue to pursue all legal avenues to gain access to relevant information and evidence.

BCA investigations of these incidents continue. The BCA will present its findings without recommendation to the appropriate prosecutorial authorities for review.

Anyone with information about the shooting of Alex Pretti, Renee Good or Julio Sosa-Celis is urged to contact the BCA at 651-793-7000 or by email at bca.tips@state.mn.us.

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