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The rise of book bans throughout the U.S. and Minnesota’s legislative response

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According to the American Library Association, 2023 saw the greatest number of attempted book bans in public libraries and schools in the United States since the ALA began keeping records 20 years ago. The ALA documented 4,240 unique book titles that were either removed or restricted beyond the age intended by the publisher, a 92 percent increase over the previous year. The ALA also noted that 47 percent of books banned or challenged feature the voices of LGBTQ+ people and people of color.

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Public employees in Minnesota now enjoy new protection for “concerted activities”

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In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), a central piece of New Deal legislation. Prior to passage in the early 20th century and the Great Depression years, harsh economic and social conditions and the de facto illegal status of unions led to labor militancy and innovative organization across the country.

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Child labor revelations warrant greater scrutiny and action against employers who break the law

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As much as we would like to believe that child labor no longer exists in our country or our state, that is sadly not the case. In December, a Wisconsin company called Packers Sanitation Services, Inc., agreed to pay a $1.5 million civil penalty…Read more

Legal briefs: Judge enforces prep time for those in multiple learning models

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Jennifer Spitzner is a seventh grade science teacher in Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Public Schools. During this school year, Spitzner and her colleagues experienced the rapid changes of shifting between pandemic learning models. The additional work from distance learning instruction added even more time to Spitzner’s day. She and her colleagues had to create and tailor lesson plans…