Sept. 28, 2021 There’s a new challenge to national COVID policy in Minnesota. Nearly 200 Minnesota health workers have filed a federal lawsuit over the pending requirement that they be vaccinated against COVID-19 or risk losing their job. The lawsuit was filed late yesterday against federal health officials and about 20 Minnesota health care providers that operate hospitals and clinics throughout the state. It contends that the lack of alternatives to vaccination infringes on the rights of those employees, who range from doctors and nurses to respiratory therapists and technicians. The filings seek a quick hearing on a temporary injunction to bar any terminations or steps to put unvaccinated health workers on unpaid leave while the case plays out and vaccine mandates work their way through the courts around the country.
Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith says she’s backing a bill to add four justices to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Democratic senator says there should be 13 justices on the nation’s highest court. The court now has nine. In announcing her support, Smith said Republicans used recent appointments to cement a conservative court that she believes is out of step with the American people. Former President Donald Trump named three justices to the court, including one vacancy that got left open prior to his election. During her 2020 Senate race, Smith declined to say if she backed what critics call court packing. She said it wasn’t an option she was looking at. The constitution is silent about the number of justices, leaving that to Congress. The court’s makeup has changed several times in U.S. history but has been set at nine since 1869. Subscribe to our Minnesota Today podcast to get up-to-date Minnesota news twice daily. — Tim Nelson, MPR News | 