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Minnesota Supreme Court hands legal win to transgender athletes

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Minnesota Supreme Court hands legal win to transgender athletes


The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that USA Powerlifting discriminated against transgender athlete JayCee Cooper by barring her from competing in the women’s division.

Why It Matters

The justices found the organization’s policy violated the state’s Human Rights Act, which protects individuals from discrimination based on gender identity.

However, the court sent part of the case back to a lower court to decide whether USA Powerlifting has a “legitimate business purpose” for its exclusion. The decision marks a significant victory for LGBTQ+ advocates while keeping a narrow path open for the sport’s governing body to defend its policy.

Transgender people’s participation in sports, especially in school athletics, has been a contentious issue across the nation. 

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A total of 29 states ban transgender students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity, though some bans have been blocked by court orders, according to the Movement Advancement Project.

Last month, the civil rights offices at the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services said the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League are violating Title IX “by allowing males to compete in female sports and occupy female intimate facilities.”

Minnesota Supreme Court Rules For Transgender Athletes: What We Know

The LGBTQ+ rights group Gender Justice, which represents Cooper, said the court issued a landmark ruling and affirmed that transgender athletes have the right to compete in sports without discrimination under the state’s Human Rights Act.

“This ruling sends a clear and powerful message: transgender people have a right to enjoy public spaces in Minnesota like sporting events, restaurants, and movie theaters, free from targeted discrimination,” Jess Braverman, Legal Director at Gender Justice, said in a statement sent to Newsweek. “This decision is a historic victory for fairness, equity, and the fundamental rights of all Minnesotans.”

The justices said that the law carves out a “legitimate business purpose defense,” and said there is a “genuine dispute of material fact” on whether “seeking to ensure competitive fairness in an athletic competition” qualifies under the law.

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USA Powerlifting attorney Ansis Viksnins called it a partial victory for both sides in comments to the Associated Press. Viksnins said the ruling means they will get to tell a jury “why excluding a transgender woman from competing in the women’s division was for legitimate reasons, for maintaining fairness in athletics.”

Who is JayCee Cooper?

Cooper is a transgender Minnesotan weightlifter. USA Powerlifting rejected Cooper’s application in 2018 to compete in its women’s division. Cooper sued in 2021, and the trial court sided with her.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals sent the case back to the trial court, saying there were “genuine issues of fact” about whether USA Powerlifting excluded Cooper because of her transgender identity and whether the organization had a “legitimate business reason” behind the rejection.

What People Are Saying

Jess Braverman, Legal Director at Gender Justice, said in a statement sent to Newsweek: “While we celebrate this victory, we remain vigilant. Across the country, anti-trans legislation and legal battles continue to threaten the rights and freedom of trans people. We will continue to fight for a world where everyone can compete, belong, and thrive without fear of discrimination.”

USA Powerlifting attorney Ansis Viksnins, in an interview with the Associated Press: “Our opponents like to spin losses as victories and victories and victories, so I’m not surprised that they are claiming this is a victory.”

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What Happens Next

The justices ordered trial court must now consider USA Powerlifting’s argument “that fair competition opportunities for similarly situated athletes is a legitimate business reason.”

This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.

Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com. 



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Trump says he’s ending temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota

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Trump says he’s ending temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota


President Donald Trump said he is ending the temporary protected status (TPS) program for Somalis in Minnesota, “effective immediately,” in a post to Truth Social Friday night.

Newsweek reached out to Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s office for comment.

Why It Matters

Trump’s decision to end TPS for Somali migrants in the North Star State has potentially major implications for immigrant communities, humanitarian protections and U.S. immigration policy.

Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the country. Changes to TPS could affect not only the lives of those directly impacted, but also broader debates about deportation policies and the U.S. role in offering safe haven to people from conflict zones.

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What To Know

In a post to social media, the president said, “Minnesota, under Governor Waltz [sic], is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity. I am, as President of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota.”

Trump continued, “Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER! President DJT”

TPS, established by Congress in 1990, is designed to prevent deportation of people to countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters or other unstable conditions.

This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.



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For Minnesota, warmer winters do not mean the end of snow

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For Minnesota, warmer winters do not mean the end of snow


Winter has warmed more than 5 degrees since the 1970s, but that doesn’t mean less snow for the state. State climatologist Kenneth Blumenfeld explained the connection between an increase in snowfall and higher global temperatures on Climate Cast.



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South Central Workforce Council/Minnesota Valley Action Council and Southwest Private Industry Council Receives $500,000 Grant from Department of Employment and Economic Development – Radio Mankato

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South Central Workforce Council/Minnesota Valley Action Council and Southwest Private Industry Council Receives 0,000 Grant from Department of Employment and Economic Development – Radio Mankato


The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded more than $4.8 million to 39 organizations to provide more than 4,000 young people with workforce development and training opportunities.

DEED’s Youth at Work Opportunity Grants Program serves youth of color and youth with disabilities who are economically disadvantaged or considered to be at-risk. Grantees will connect young people ages 14-to-24 with good-paying jobs in high-growth industries, taking a targeted approach for youth who face the largest systemic barriers.

“Youth development and job training is crucial to the wellbeing of our communities and our state’s economy,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “At DEED, we take pride in providing opportunities and assistance for some of our most vulnerable community members. Supporting the youth of today helps ensure Minnesota has a healthy and vibrant workforce tomorrow.”

“Across Minnesota, our Youth at Work partners are helping young people gain valuable skills and pursue economic stability,” said DEED Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development Marc Majors. “We’re proud that these grants will support the next generation in building a stronger and more resilient workforce.”

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Youth at Work grantees are listed below (many organizations serve regions beyond the cities in which they are located):

Achieve Twin Cities, Minneapolis – $236,200

African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS), St. Paul – $120,000

African Immigrants Community Services, Minneapolis – $100,000

American Indian OIC, Minneapolis – $100,000

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Anoka County Job Training Center, Blaine – $300,000

Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Virginia – $100,000

Bi-County Community Action Programs, Inc., Bemidji – $100,000

Career Solutions, St. Cloud – $242,000

Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc., Monticello – $300,000

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City Academy High School, St. Paul – $100,000

City of Duluth Workforce Development, Duluth – $300,000

City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis – $1,350,000

City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation – Right Track, St. Paul – $1,350,000

Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio, St. Paul – $100,000

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Elpis Enterprises, St. Paul – $156,000

Face to Face Health & Counseling Service, Inc., St. Paul – $100,000

Faribault Public Schools, Faribault – $190,000

Genesys Works Twin Cities, St. Paul – $200,000

Greater Bemidji/Minnesota Innovation Initiative, Bemidji – $200,000

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Hennepin County Department of Workforce Development, Minneapolis – $300,000

Hired, Minneapolis – $200,000

Independent School District No. 625 (St. Paul Public Schools), St. Paul – $150,000

JET – Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, Virginia – $300,000

Karen Organization of Minnesota, Roseville – $100,000

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MIGIZI Communications, Inc., Minneapolis – $142,000

Minnesota Training Partnership, St. Paul – $100,000

Port Authority of the City of Bloomington, Bloomington – $100,000

Project Legacy, Rochester – $100,000

Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, Redby– $200,000

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Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc., Detroit Lakes – $200,000

RWDA 5 – South Central Workforce Council/Minnesota Valley Action Council and Southwest Private Industry Council, Mankato – $500,000

Sabathani Community Center, Minneapolis – $200,000

Smart North, Minneapolis – $200,000

Spark-Y: Youth Action Labs, Minneapolis – $200,000

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The Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota, Morton – $150,000

Urban Boatbuilders, St. Paul– $100,000

Wildflyer Coffee, Minneapolis – $200,000

Workforce Development, Inc., Rochester – $200,000

Youthprise, St. Paul – $200,000

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