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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A week after political assassination, democracy group tries to chart a way forward

5 days ago | minnesotareformer.com | Mary Hennigan

by Mary Hennigan, Minnesota Reformer June 22, 2025 Monique Lacroix of Carver County said going to rallies and speaking in front of elected officials might make her uncomfortable, but the moment mandates action. “This is the time to put yourself out there and do what you can,” Lacroix said. Lacroix was at a “Defending Democracy Summit” at a south Minneapolis church Sunday, hosted by We Choose Us, a pro-democracy coalition with about 40 partners across the state.
We need 1,000 Melissa Hortmans now • Minnesota Reformer

6 days ago | minnesotareformer.com | Jeff Blodgett

We need people to step up where she left off.
Mourners mark the life and death of Melissa and Mark Hortman with candlelight, music and silence

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | J. Patrick Coolican

As the last rays of light gently touched down on the State Capitol campus Tuesday evening, Minnesota Orchestra brass players struck up “Amazing Grace,” and suddenly hundreds of people broke into song, or at least as much as could be expected through tears. They were there to begin saying goodbye to state Rep.
Klobuchar, Smith honor Hortmans with Senate floor remarks

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Shauneen Miranda |Minnesota Reformer

U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith honored Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, during remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday. The Minnesota Democratic senators eflected on Melissa’s leadership, devotion to her community and many contributions to her state. “Melissa is someone that I wish the whole Senate and the whole nation knew,” Klobuchar said. “We treasured her in Minnesota. She was the epitome of what you want in a public servant.
Vance Boelter voted in 2024 Minnesota Republican presidential primary, records show

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Michelle Griffith

Vance Boelter, the man accused of killing DFL House leader Melissa Hortman and her husband and shooting and injuring DFL Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, voted in the March 2024 Minnesota Republican presidential party, belying online disinformation that has sought to paint Boelter as a leftist with ties to Gov. Tim Walz.
Boelter faces state and federal murder charges, death penalty possible • Minnesota Reformer

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Izzy Wagener

The Hennepin County prosecutor will pursue first-degree murder charges against Vance Boelter, the suspect arrested in the assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. Boelter also was charged with six federal offenses, including stalking, murder and firearms charges. In addition to the murder of Melissa and Mark Hortman, Boelter is accused of shooting state […]
Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s felony burglary trial delayed because of Hortman assassination

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Michelle Griffith

The felony burglary trial of Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, has been delayed after the assassination of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and the attempted assassination of Mitchell’s colleague, Sen. John Hoffman. The long-awaited trial was scheduled to begin Monday in Detroit Lakes with jury selection, but Mitchell’s defense asked the court for a delay because of Saturday’s shootings.
Which labor bills passed — and which didn’t — in Minnesota in 2025 • Minnesota Reformer

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Max Nesterak

Having lost control of the Legislature and confronting a looming budget deficit, Democrats were forced to abandon plans to advance pro-worker legislation and instead defend their gains from the historic 2023 legislative session. Progressive Democrats were largely successful, resisting cuts to the paid family leave program, the earned sick time law and unemployment benefits for hourly school workers.
Vance Boelter, accused of assassination of DFL House leader Melissa Hortman, apprehended

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | Madison McVan

by Madison McVan, Minnesota Reformer June 15, 2025 Law enforcement officers on Sunday night arrested Vance Boelter, who is accused of assassinating Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home in Brooklyn Park as part of a larger plot to kill Democratic elected officials and other advocates of abortion rights, according to a state official with knowledge of the arrest. The arrest comes after a two-day manhunt.
A Democratic legislator was assassinated; right-wing influencers coughed out disinformation

1 week ago | minnesotareformer.com | J. Patrick Coolican

by J. Patrick Coolican, Minnesota Reformer June 14, 2025 Just hours after Minnesotans learned that Democratic House leader Melissa Hortman had been assassinated, right-wing influencer Collin Rugg, who has 1.8 million followers on X, hinted that she’d been killed because of a recent vote on ending undocumented adults’ ability to enroll in MinnesotaCare, a subsidized health insurance for the working poor.