EFFIE, Minn. – The company that organized a three-day northern Minnesota rodeo has been sued for violating a COVID-19 spectator limit. The state attorney general, Keith Ellison, said the sponsoring company, North Star Ranch, intentionally and carelessly hosted more than 250 fans in defiance of the state’s executive order on large gatherings. Thousands were in attendance, Ellison said. North Star faces $25,000 in civil penalties, plus specific damages and reimbursement of affected people for restitution, Ellison said. Further, the state Health Department says it had become aware of one person at the rodeo who tested positive for COVID-19 and likely was infectious at the event. Health officials sid they had cautioned North Star Ranch about spectator limits before the rodeo.
