>>Musks’ X A.I. challenges Minnesota AI image law
(Undated) – Elon Musk’s X.A.I. is suing Minnesota over a new law that bans the use of artificial intelligence to create realistic intimate images of people without their consent. The lawsuit, filed against Attorney General Keith Ellison, argues the measure is an unconstitutional restriction on free speech. Minnesota lawmakers approved the law earlier this year after reports that social media photos were being used to generate nonconsensual AI images. X.A.I. says its platform already prohibits that activity and claims the law is overly broad.
>>AG Ellison joins push for tougher robocall rules
(Undated) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is joining a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general urging federal regulators to crack down on illegal robocalls. The group is asking the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen its “Know Your Customer” rules, requiring phone service providers to do more to verify who is using their networks. According to the coalition, Americans received nearly 30 billion scam robocalls and text messages last year and lost nearly two billion dollars to scams. The attorneys general say stronger safeguards could help stop scammers before calls reach consumers.
>>Medina Man Faces Multiple Felony Tax Charges
(Medina, MN) – A Medina man is facing multiple felony tax charges after prosecutors say he failed to file and pay taxes for years. The Minnesota Department of Revenue says Raymond Scott Finley is charged with 15 tax-related felonies, including failing to file income tax returns, failing to pay taxes, and filing false sales tax returns. Investigators allege Finley used business accounts for personal expenses while avoiding tax obligations. Authorities say he owes more than 409-thousand dollars in unpaid taxes. Finley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
>>New Law Increases Penalties for Impersonating a Peace Officer
(St. Paul, MN) – Following the political attacks of last summer, a new law strengthens the penalties for a person caught impersonating a peace officer. Effective this Saturday, August 1st, the charge for impersonating a peace officer in the state of Minnesota will increase from a misdemeanor to a felony. The penalties for such offenses will also mean increased prison sentences. A person who commits this crime with a firearm could see an increased prison sentence of ten years. The law was sponsored by Senator John Hoffman, who along with his wife Yvette, was critically injured in the political attacks last summer. Those attacks also took the lives of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.
>>Judge orders release of church protest grand jury records
(St. Paul, MN) – A federal judge has ordered prosecutors to turn over grand jury transcripts in the case against more than 30 people charged in connection with an anti-ICE protest at a St. Paul church. Among those indicted are journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, who have argued they were protected by the First Amendment while covering the demonstration. Fort’s attorney alleges federal investigators misrepresented her actions in court filings and sought the transcripts to determine what information was presented to the grand jury. Prosecutors must provide the records by Wednesday.
>>Minnesota DNR announces new deer hunting rules
(Undated) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is rolling out new deer hunting regulations ahead of the 2026 season. The biggest change is a new statewide chronic wasting disease surveillance plan. Minnesota has been divided into four regions, with hunters in one region each year required to submit certain harvested deer for CWD testing during the firearms opener. This year, the requirement applies to southwest and parts of west-central Minnesota. The DNR says the new approach will provide a clearer picture of the disease’s spread. The firearms deer season opens November seventh.
