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Minneapolis Section 8 protection ordinance withstands legal challenge – Minnesota Reformer

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Minneapolis Section 8 protection ordinance withstands legal challenge – Minnesota Reformer


Minneapolis’ ordinance barring landlords from discriminating against renters who use public assistance was upheld by the Minnesota Court of Appeals in a ruling last week. 

The ruling is the latest in a years-long legal back-and-forth between a group of landlords and the city of Minneapolis, which delayed enforcement of the non-discrimination ordinance for years. 

The Minneapolis City Council passed an ordinance in 2017 that barred landlords from denying potential renters just because they receive a housing voucher like Section 8. The ordinance also banned advertising a rental property as “no Section 8.”

Section 8 is a federal program that subsidizes rent for low-income people — generally families making less than half of an area’s median household income, which in Minneapolis is around $76,332 per year, according to recent Census data. 

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Section 8 voucher recipients pay around 30% of their income for rent, and the federal government pays the rest directly to the landlord. The vouchers can’t be used for luxury apartments — in Minneapolis, they can be used for one-bedroom apartments under $1200 per month and two-bedrooms up to $1475. 

Tuesday’s ruling was a “huge win” for low-income renters in Minneapolis, said Larry McDonough, a policy attorney with HOME Line, which provides legal help to renters.

Finding rentals that accept Section 8 vouchers is a challenge. The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority has not opened up its waitlist to new applicants since 2019.  

A group of landlords sued the city in 2017 in an attempt to stop the ordinance from taking effect, arguing it violated state law and the Minnesota Constitution. 

A district judge initially agreed with some of the landlords’ claims and blocked the ordinance from taking effect. But the city appealed, and both the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court sided with the city, sending the case back to district court.

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The district judge who made the initial ruling retired, and the case was reassigned to Hennepin County District Judge Patrick Robben. Unlike his predecessor, he ruled in favor of the city, and in December 2022 lifted the order blocking enforcement of the ordinance. 

The landlords appealed Robben’s decision, but on Jan. 16, the Minnesota Court of Appeals again sided with the city.

The group of landlords could still appeal the latest decision to the Minnesota Supreme Court, but given that the court ruled in favor of the city the last time, the outlook isn’t good for the landlords, McDonough said. 

An attorney for the group of landlords did not immediately return a request for comment. 

Banning discrimination against renters who use public assistance is a priority for the governor’s office in the upcoming legislative session, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said at a Jan. 4 press conference. 

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So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities

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So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities


So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities

One museum in the Maplewood Mall brings a part of Hollywood glamour to the Twin Cities.

William Swift is the owner and curator of Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum.

“I own the largest display of film costumes in North America, which is crazy,” Swift said.

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There are more than 350 costumes and props on display from over 90 films and TV shows.

“I have stuff from Narnia, the Power Rangers, and have quite an extensive collection from Game of Thrones,” Swift said. “It’s just so cool and so fun to share with people such a grand collection. We never get anything like this in Minnesota or even really in the Midwest.”

Years ago, Swift, a longtime film buff, started collecting screen-used movie memorabilia in auctions. In 2024, he opened the museum with his massive collection.

“Eventually I ran out of room in my house, and I thought maybe it was time to take that leap of faith,” Swift said.

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MyPillow’s Mike Lindell announces he’s running for Minnesota governor as a Republican

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MyPillow’s Mike Lindell announces he’s running for Minnesota governor as a Republican


MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell has announced he will run for Minnesota governor in 2026 against incumbent Gov. Tim Walz.

Lindell, 64, last week filed the paperwork to potentially run, but at the time said he hadn’t yet 100% decided on a gubernatorial run. On Thursday, he made it official.

“After prayerful consideration and hearing from so many of you across our great state, I’ve made the decision to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race,” Lindell posted on social media Thursday. “I’m still standing and I’ll stand for you.”

Lindell will run as a Republican and a noted ally of President Trump, and enters a crowded field of names who have already tossed their hats into the ring, as Walz, a Democrat, attempts to secure an unprecedented third consecutive four-year term as Minnesota’s governor.

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“We’ve seen what happens when we elect a con man to the highest office in America,” Walz said Thursday, responding to Lindell’s announcement. “We can’t let it happen here in Minnesota.”

In addition to Lindell, state House Republican speaker Lisa Demuth has already announced a run for governor, as well as Scott Jensen, the Republican candidate who lost to Walz in the 2022 midterms. Other Republican hopefuls include Minnesota Rep. Kristin RobbinsKendall Qualls and defense lawyer Chris Madel

Lindell launched a campaign website, listing his main campaign priorities as including stopping fraud, fixing “failing school systems,” stopping “exploding property taxes” and “send(ing) illegal immigrants back.” 

Lindell’s MyPillow has been at the center of a number of legal issues through the years, and earlier this year was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to shipping company DHL.

Also, a judge this year ruled that Lindell defamed election technology company Smartmatic after he alleged their voting machines rigged the 2020 presidential election in favor of former President Joe Biden. Lindell made similar unfounded claims against Dominion Voting Systems.

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Minnesota has a history of political outsiders overperforming in statewide races, most notably former Gov. Jesse Ventura’s surprising win in 1998, but also it’s been two decades since a Republican won a statewide race in the increasingly blue-tilting state. 

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Minnesota leaders criticize Gov. Tim Walz over alleged fraud scheme oversight | Fox News Video

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Minnesota leaders criticize Gov. Tim Walz over alleged fraud scheme oversight  | Fox News Video


Gen Z influencer Isabel Brown and political consultant Michelle Backus consider the potential of the alleged Minnesota fraud scandal to snowball further and praise I.C.E. operations amidst criticism from religious leaders on ‘Fox News @ Night.’



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