Minnesota’s lawsuit against three major petroleum organizations will proceed, a Ramsey County court decided Friday, Feb. 14.
Attorney General Keith Ellison sued ExxonMobil, Koch Industries and the American Petroleum Institution in state court in 2020 for "systematically ... deceiving Minnesotans about the true causes and costs of climate change.”
ExxonMobil and API tried to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing a lack of jurisdiction and that the state’s claims are time-barred. The court ruled the state had sufficiently pled causation and its claims regarding failure to warn, fraud, misrepresentation, conspiracy and deceptive trade and advertising.
One of the five counts, relating to the Minnesota Consumer Fraud Act, was dismissed.
Previously, the defendants tried to move the lawsuit to federal court. An Appeals court denied the move in March 2023.
A news release from the Attorney General’s Office says courts have repeatedly ruled the lawsuit was properly filed and pleaded.
"These defendants prioritized their profits over the people of Minnesota, and deception was their business model," Ellison stated in the release. "The court's thorough analysis and well-reasoned order puts us one step closer to proving that in court."
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A veteran and historian share their experience with the program from the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota. Veterans from the Iron Range and Koochiching and Lake of the Woods counties can participate. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe United Way of Northeastern Minnesota's Operation: Service Story collects oral histories for Iron Range and Koochiching and Lake of the Woods counties service members. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEForums will be in Grand Rapids, Ely and Hibbing, with a special event focused on veterans issued scheduled for 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Grand Rapids. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEDozens of Northern Minnesota student-athletes from nine area schools, including Grand Rapids and Bemidji, will compete at the 2025 state swimming and diving meet this week. -
Contributed/St. Louis CountySt. Louis County Public Works engineers completed design work for the reconstruction of County Highway 100 in Aurora, with a design meeting scheduled Nov. 13, 2025. -
Contributed/Leech Lake Band of OjibweThe Leech Lake Tribal College will host four public forums on Nov. 12, 2025, as it forms a profile to guide its search for a new college president. -
Kari Hedlund/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team highlights recent singles and albums you should listen to, including releases from Mavis Staples, William Prince, Khruangbin, Dessa, Aubrie Sellers and more. -
Contributed/Canva Pro graphicThe Minnesota State Patrol reported William James Gardner was traveling westbound at 6:50 p.m. Nov. 7, 2025, in a 2004 Honda Civic, when the crash occurred. -
Abby Daman's coaches said she is a "strong silent example of what hard work can look like." Her work ethic and positive attitude are why she's KAXE's first-ever North Star Student.
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Plus: FEMA disaster recovery centers open on Leech Lake Reservation; Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan makes campaign stop in Grand Rapids; and Northland teams see mixed results in state tourneys.
