Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued an emergency executive order on April 7, 2026, dispatching the Minnesota National Guard after Winona County requested assistance following a cyber attack disrupting its “critical systems and digital services.” The attack occurred on April 6, 2026, and is “significantly impairing the county’s ability to deliver vital emergency and municipal services.”
Best Practices
Water Treatment Facility Downed with Ransomware Attack
By Guest Contributor on
Posted in Best Practices
Critical infrastructure operators at the water treatment plant in Minot, North Dakota, were forced to resort to manual processes when its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system became inoperable as a result of a March 14, 2026, ransomware attack. The attackers are unidentified, but it comes in the wake of the war in Iran…
Joint Advisory Warns of Iran Cyber Actors Attacking U.S. Critical Infrastructure
By Guest Contributor on
Posted in Best Practices
Iran has always been a formidable cyber threat to the United States, but after the war in Iran commenced, the attacks are coming frequently and in full force. According to the Joint Cybersecurity Advisory issued on April 7, 2026, by the FBI, CISA, NSA, EPA, DOE, and Cyber Command, Iranian-based hackers are targeting operational technology…
Reminder – Managing Leave During Flu Season
By Abby Warren & Guest Contributor on
Posted in Best Practices, Wage and Hour
This post was co-authored by Labor + Employment Group lawyer Christopher Costain.
Flu season, which extends into spring, can be a particularly long season for manufacturers, especially when their workforces and workplaces are significantly impacted by the illness. Below are reminders for manufacturers about the various legal implications related to the flu and its…
Making the Company Holiday Party Memorable for All the Right Reasons
By Abby Warren & Guest Contributor on
Posted in Best Practices
This post was co-authored by Labor + Employment Group lawyer Rauchell Beckford-Anderson.
Holiday celebrations are meaningful ways to recognize employees’ annual contributions to the company; however, such celebrations can introduce safety, compliance, and cultural challenges. So, as you deck the halls and cue up the playlist, remember: a great party is about more than…
Spring Things for Employers to Consider
By Abby Warren & Guest Contributor on
Posted in Best Practices
This post was co-authored by Labor + Employment Group lawyer Christopher Costain.
Trees are beginning to bloom, and bees are buzzing in flower fields as spring is officially underway. As summertime approaches and temperatures continue to rise, employers should be prepared for “Spring Things,” such as navigating employee summer vacation schedules, hosting summer outings…
The Spooky Consequences of Halloween Celebrations in the Workplace
By Abby Warren & Guest Contributor on
Posted in Best Practices, Labor Relations
This post was co-authored by Labor + Employment Group lawyer Madison C. Picard.
There is no greater Halloween horror for employers than a workplace celebration that creates legal risks such as inappropriate costumes or safety hazards, among other issues. Thus, there are many considerations when planning an office celebration for this spooky holiday.
Why The Secrecy? U.S. Privately Held Manufacturers Can Benefit From Revealing More Information On Their Websites
By Jeffrey White on
Posted in Best Practices
Stop me if you have seen this before. You visit the website of a U.S. privately held manufacturer, and you click on the “About Us” page (if one exists) to find only generic information that could describe any manufacturing business in the United States. There often is no listing of who runs the business –…
Embracing Inclusivity in the Workplace This Holiday Season
By Abby Warren & Guest Contributor on
This week’s post was co-authored by Robinson+Cole Labor and Employment Group lawyer Madison C. Picard
The end of the year is a great time for manufacturers to express gratitude for employees and their hard work during the year through holiday parties and events. While these gatherings can increase morale, camaraderie, and good-will in the workplace…
Unraveling the Confusion: Buy America, Buy American, Made in USA – Part 2
By Jeffrey White on
Last month, I offered the first in a series of blog posts that attempt to simplify the various laws that are often described as a single law: “Buy America,” “Buy American,” “Made in the USA,” “Made in America,” and “Build Back Better.”
First, I want to return to the cliffhanger from the last post:
Did…