Hampton Accused of Systematically Blocking Public Records; UMLC Files Lawsuit to Enforce State Transparency Law
Coalition Calls for Legislative Action to Address Unlawful DEI Mandates in Minnesota Schools
A coalition of parent and education advocacy groups is calling on Minnesota lawmakers to conduct a “top-to-bottom audit” of the state’s education laws and policies to address what they describe as toxic diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates that conflict with federal law. In a letter sent to Senate President Bobby Joe Champion and House […]
UMLC & Liberty Justice Center Celebrate Victory in Challenge Against Mandatory Student Fees for Political Advocacy
The Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) and Liberty Justice Center (LJC) celebrate a victory in Lackie v. Students United, which challenges Minnesota’s requirement that students at the seven Minnesota State Universities pay mandatory student fees to a private political organization called Students United. This ruling confirms that Students United, although it is a private organization, can be held […]
Court Hears Case for Release of Senator Nicole Mitchell’s Arrest Footage
Today, the Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) presented its case before the Becker County District Court, requesting the release of police body and dash camera footage related to the April 22, 2024, arrest of Senator Nicole Mitchell. Representing Alpha News, UMLC filed the lawsuit seeking transparency about the events surrounding Mitchell’s arrest in Detroit Lakes. The release […]
Minnesota Department of Education and Center of the American Experiment Reach Settlement in Data Practices Lawsuit
The Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) has successfully reached a settlement with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) on behalf of the Center of the American Experiment (CAE) in a lawsuit challenging MDE’s failure to comply with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA). The lawsuit, Center of the American Experiment v. Minnesota Department of […]
Minnesota Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Alpha News in Request for Release of Body and Dash Camera Footage from Arrest of Senator Nicole Mitchell
Today, the Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed a lower court decision and ruled in favor of Alpha News in their request for the release of body- and dash-camera footage from the arrest of Senator Nicole Mitchell in April 2024. The ruling clarifies that releasing the footage would help Minnesotans hold elected officials accountable, which is […]
UMLC Data Requests Will Delve into Minneapolis Police Department Budget Cuts
Minnetonka, Minn. – This month, the Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) launched an investigation into the Minneapolis City Council’s controversial 2025 city budget, putting in a formal data request under the Data Practices Act. UMLC is looking for more information on the city’s irresponsible cuts to the Minneapolis Police Department. With the request, UMLC seeks data […]
Center of the American Experiment Sues Minnesota Department of Education for Withholding Public Data on Controversial Ethnic Studies K-12 Framework
On December 2, 2024, Center of the American Experiment (CAE), represented by the Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC), filed a lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and Commissioner Willie Jett, alleging violations of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (DPA). The case alleges MDE’s repeated failure to provide public data, specifically regarding the controversial Ethnic Studies Working […]
Attorney says ‘transparency’ the answer to ‘rightful concerns’ about Minnesota elections
Questions are still swirling surrounding last week’s election results in Minnesota.
Minnesota Department of Education Hides Radical Ethnic-Studies Framework
The Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC), on behalf of the Center of the American Experiment (CAE), has issued two formal letters to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) demanding timely access to the framework crafted by the MDE to guide school districts on the implementation of new ethnic studies requirements. Despite requirements under the Minnesota Government Data […]