U.S.: Court lifts ban on Minnesota boys joining school dance teams

Reuters: "A federal appeals court on Wednesday blocked the Minnesota State High School League from enforcing a rule barring boys from joining their high schools’ competitive dance teams. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the rule probably violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment."

Minn.: Divided Court of Appeals upholds Minneapolis minimum wage law

MPR News: "A divided Minnesota Court of Appeals has affirmed Minneapolis’ minimum wage ordinance. In 2017, the city passed the ordinance calling for a phased-in $15 an hour minimum wage."

Minnesota Supreme Court taking aim at mental health 'crisis' in legal profession

Minneapolis Star Tribune: "Alarmed by high levels of depression, anxiety and stress among practicing attorneys, the Minnesota Supreme Court is leading the charge against what it calls a crisis of well-being among Minnesota lawyers."

Minn.: Tennis shoe case could lead to wave of discrimination cases, justice warns

MPR News: "A divided Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that a Minneapolis firefighter can sue for discrimination under the state’s Human Rights Act because the department refused to allow him to wear tennis shoes because of an injury."

Minn.: Justice Thissen speaks about equity, impartial courts

Hutchinson Leader: "The preamble of the United States Constitution begins with: 'We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice.' But for some with legal claims, justice is too often out of reach."

Minn.: Appeals Court orders name change for sex offender

Mankato Free Press: "A patient at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program who was born a man but identifies as female should have been granted a name change, state appellate judges have decided."

Pamela Alexander, first black woman judge in MN, sees gaps and opportunities

MPR News: "Retired Hennepin County Judge Pamela Alexander, 66, is a fourth-generation Minnesotan and the first black female judge in Minnesota. Her interest in law was sparked at a young age when she witnessed the rape of her best friend and testified in court."

Minn.: How do they decide who serves jury duty?

CBS Minnesota News: "Last year, the state of Minnesota issued 190,000 summons for jury duty, which is about 4 percent of Minnesotans 18 or older. So, how does a person get called for jury duty? Good Question."

Minn.: Veterans Court provides support, but not a free pass

Mankato Free Press: "Veterans fist-bumped their case manager and mentors as they approached the bench [Feb. 8]. And at times, Judge Mark Betters sounded more like he was talking to a friend than a criminal defendant."

MN Supreme Court overturns firing of cop who slapped Somali teen

MPR News: "The Minnesota Supreme Court Wednesday ordered the reinstatement of a Richfield police officer, who was fired by the city after slapping a Somali teen during a 2015 incident."

Courts strive to improve child protection cases with pilot project in west central Minnesota

West Central Tribune: "Halfway into a two-year pilot program designed to address Minnesota's higher-than-acceptable rate of children being placed into foster care, District Court Judge Jenna Fischer is finding some possible solutions."