Effective May 24, 2025, Minnesota Statutes § 331A.10 has been amended to provide clear guidance to cities when a designated qualified newspaper ceases publication. This legislative change addresses longstanding uncertainty about how municipalities should fulfill public notice requirements under such circumstances. The amendment outlines a step-by-step process to ensure statutory compliance and continuity in public notification practices.

If a public notice is required by court order and the designated newspaper has shut down, the court or judge that issued the original order may revise it to name a different qualified newspaper. For all other legal or statutory notices not ordered by a court, the city may select and publish in any other qualified newspaper. In cases where no other qualified newspaper is available, the amendment permits cities to fulfill their legal obligation by posting the notice in two places: on the city’s official website and on the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s statewide public notice website. This dual posting requirement is valid until a new qualified newspaper is designated by the city.

This statutory amendment was developed collaboratively by the League of Minnesota Cities, the Association of Minnesota Counties, and the Minnesota Newspaper Association to provide municipalities with the flexibility needed to maintain transparency when unexpected closures occur. City officials are encouraged to promptly identify replacement newspapers, utilize the digital posting option, when necessary, review relevant ordinances and contracts for contingency provisions, and consult with legal counsel to ensure full compliance with state law.

More information is available from the League of Minnesota Cities here.

⚖️ About the Author

Michael R. Bradley is a partner of Bradley Werner, LLC. He has more than 30 years of experience representing clients in cable, broadband, and telecommunications matters.