Minnesota Reformer

The Minnesota Reformer is a nonprofit news organization that operates independently, with a mission to keep the people of Minnesota informed. We focus on revealing stories that may be overlooked or ignored by other media outlets. Our team is actively engaged in government spaces, keeping tabs on elected officials and the powerful entities trying to sway their decisions. Beyond the political sphere, we connect with the community—visiting bars, parks, farms, and warehouses—to share the experiences of those impacted by government actions and corporate interests. Best of all, our content is entirely free to access—no advertisements or paywalls. You can also freely republish our articles, graphics, and commentary.

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Federal education cuts would hammer poorest Minnesota schools, study finds

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Michelle Griffith

Federal education dollars are now at risk thanks to President Donald Trump’s dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, which could significantly hurt Minnesota public school districts — the majority of which receive at least 10% of their budgets from the feds, according to the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank. Tribal nations within Minnesota’s borders would be even more impacted, as a larger share of their budgets comes from the feds.
Justice Department suggests it will sue Minnesota over trans athlete policies following Maine suit

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Michelle Griffith |Minnesota Reformer

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday suggested the Justice Department is considering legal action against Minnesota for allowing transgender athletes to participate in girls’ and women’s sports. The Trump administration on Wednesday sued Maine over policies that allow some trans athletes to compete in women’s sports. Bondi said Maine is violating federal law intended to prevent discrimination based on sex.
Minnesota Republicans elect a flat-earther to a party leadership post

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Christopher Ingraham |Minnesota Reformer

by Christopher Ingraham, Minnesota Reformer April 16, 2025 In March, Republicans in Minnesota’s 7thCongressional District chose Bret Bussman, a Browerville veteran with a slim political resume, to chair the party in the district. Bussman ousted longtime 7th District chair Craig Bishop, a staffer for U.S. Rep.
Feeding Our Future's political connections should serve as a warning to the DFL • Minnesota Reformer

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | J. Patrick Coolican |Kayseh Magan |Minnesota Reformer

In a recently unearthed audio recording, Attorney General Keith Ellison can be heard expressing frustration about state agencies — i.e., his clients — and claiming they are being too hard on government contractors.
Minnesota Democrats highlight ‘devastating’ potential cuts to Medicaid • Minnesota Reformer

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Michelle Griffith

Patrick Chesla’s friend — a Vietnam War veteran named Ted — lives at the Martin Luther Campus, an assisted living facility in Bloomington. He’s been able to receive treatments for urinary infections and other ailments and is being cared for at the facility thanks to Medicaid. Chesla, who was in tears, said his friend would be homeless without the program for low-income and disabled Minnesotans. “If he lost his care here, where would he go? Would he become homeless?” Chesla said of his friend Ted.
Some measles response plans crash to a halt after Trump cuts

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Tim Henderson |Minnesota Reformer

Cities and states fighting a historic measles outbreak find themselves undermined by the Trump administration as they struggle to provide crucial vaccinations and overcome disinformation. As of this week, cases were nearing 650 in 22 states, on track to reach a 34-year high. A second unvaccinated child died of measles in West Texas last week. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.
DOGE cancels nearly $4 million in federal funds meant to rehab affordable apartments

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Madison McVan |Minnesota Reformer

At Vista Village apartments in St. Paul, residents of the affordable complex reported faulty furnaces and ice building up inside of their windows on cold days. Parts of the floor were water-damaged, and after more than 50 years of housing low-income residents, wear and tear on the building was becoming impossible to ignore.
AI holds promise in scientific research, but can’t substitute for humans, experts say

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Paige Gross |Minnesota Reformer

With the Trump administration making sweeping cuts to staff and research grants at science-related agencies, artificial intelligence could offer a tempting way to keep labs going, but scientists say there are limits to the technology’s uses.
Minnesota Senate Republicans file ethics complaint against Champion

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Michelle Griffith |Minnesota Reformer

by Michelle Griffith, Minnesota Reformer April 11, 2025 Minnesota Senate Republicans filed an ethics complaint against Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis, arguing that he used his elected position to steer funding for his legal client. The Reformer first reported last week that Champion, a practicing attorney, had advocated for millions in grants for a nonprofit headed up by one of his legal clients, the Rev. Jerry McAfee.
A House Rep.’s wife, a senator’s son and a congressman’s widow want to replace the arrested senator

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Michelle Griffith

BAXTER — About an hour into a Republican forum for the Minnesota Senate District 6 election, candidate Matthew Zinda told the crowd that his opponent Keri Heintzeman and her husband Rep. Josh Heintzeman are funneling campaign donations to benefit themselves and pay for legal fees. Keri Heintzeman said Zinda, who unsuccessfully primaried Rep. Josh Heintzeman last year, had an unnatural fixation on her family.