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