The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that a HUD Administrative Law Judge ruled against a northern Minnesota landlord charged with refusing to rent an apartment to prospective tenants because of their disabilities. Landlord Deane Woodard of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota was ordered to pay $27,000 to one woman, a $16,000 civil penalty, and $1,000 in other court sanctions. Read the ruling.

U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today applauded the successful addition of his six amendments and top policy priorities to the successfully-passed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) during the bill’s markup in the House Committee Transportation and Infrastructure. Nolan is the only Minnesotan on this House Committee.

With the warm weather, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds homeowners and forest landowners that spring is an excellent time to plant trees. There are many good reasons to plant trees.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today joined Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to introduce the Timber Innovation Act, bipartisan legislation that would help accelerate research and development – and ultimately construction – of wood buildings in the United States. Specifically, this legislation would focus on finding innovative ways to use wood in the construction of buildings above 85 feet in height or roughly seven or more stories

Lakeshore property owners are reminded that a permit may be required to remove lake plants. Aquatic plant regulations are summarized at the aquatic plant regulations page. “Aquatic plants are essential to healthy lake ecosystems, a fact that bears repeating each year as people turn attention to outdoor recreation and their shorelines,” said Steve Enger, supervisor of the aquatic plant management program for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “We remind property owners to check the regulations to see if they need a permit.”

Landowners, counties and watershed districts are now reviewing the preliminary map of Minnesota public waters requiring protective buffers. Landowners who have buffers identified on their property can work with their local soil and water conservation district or drainage authority to ensure the preliminary map is accurate.

Sen. Al Franken successfully pressed his Senate colleagues to adopt a bipartisan measure to properly fund a key program that would help create jobs, ensure access to reliable energy on tribal lands in Minnesota, and enable tens of millions of dollars in new energy infrastructure investments. The measure will now be included in the comprehensive energy and water appropriations bill

U.S. Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar issued the following statements today on the nomination of Benjamin Fowke, the Chairman, President, and CEO of Minnesota-based Xcel Energy, to be a member of the Department of Homeland Security's National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC). The NIAC provides the President, through the Secretary of Homeland Security, with advice on the security of critical infrastructures, both physical and cyber

Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) introduced the Home Mortgage Disclosure Adjustment Act which will help American families by providing regulatory relief for roughly 3,400 small banks and credit unions.

Every year in Minnesota, wildfires cause property losses, injuries and threaten the lives of fire fighters. To raise awareness of this danger, April 17-23 is Wildfire Prevention Week in Minnesota.

Boaters eager to hit newly thawed lakes and rivers across the state should be on the lookout for debris in the water and the potential for ice-damaged ramps at public water accesses. Fluctuating water levels in the early spring can dislodge logs and other debris making them a navigational hazard to boaters. Lakes and rivers that have experienced major flooding in recent years can be especially problematic.

Klobuchar’s provision will create a grant program to help nonprofits—including places of worship, faith-based organizations, and youth centers—afford materials needed for energy efficiency upgrades

Minnesota Housing announced that $56 million is available to provide affordable mortgages to first-time homebuyers through a collaboration with Minnesota cities and counties, including $3,496,783 for St. Louis County

Stolen trade secrets cost American companies billions of dollars each year and threaten their ability to innovate and compete globally; trade secret theft poses a particular risk for Minnesota, which has a strong tradition of innovation and bringing technological advances to the marketplace

Stolen trade secrets cost American companies billions of dollars each year and threaten their ability to innovate and compete globally; trade secret theft poses a particular risk for Minnesota, which has a strong tradition of innovation and bringing technological advances to the marketplace