On Wednesday, the Upper Midwest Law Center, a Minnesota-based public interest law firm, sued in federal court on behalf of Minnesota churches and small business owners wanting to strike down Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home emergency orders as unconstitutional.


Walz extended a statewide stay-at-home order until May 18 to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, but he has been slowly exempting more businesses. Among those suing are a mini-golf owner, a greeting card store owner and a salon owner who say they are shut own while other businesses are allowed to be open.


Walz spokesman Teddy Tschann told The Associated Press that the virus “has forced the state to take drastic action to keep Minnesotans safe, but it’s action that is within the Governor’s authority.”