The Star Tribune, a Minneapolis-based newspaper, has received acclaim for its comprehensive coverage of recent civil unrest and immigration enforcement actions within the city. The outlet's reporting has been characterized by identifying individuals involved in incidents and producing highly detailed accounts of local events.
Investment in Newsroom Proves Crucial
Under the ownership of billionaire Glen Taylor since 2014, the Star Tribune has maintained consistent staffing levels and undergone a significant digital transformation. This strategic investment allowed the newsroom to effectively respond to major news developments.
Publisher and CEO Steve Grove stated that these investments were essential for the newsroom's reactive capabilities.
Minneapolis's Strong Journalism Environment
Minneapolis is recognized for its robust journalism tradition, which includes public radio, television, and digital newsrooms such as Sahan Journal, focused on immigrant and diverse communities.
Kathleen Hennessey, senior vice president and editor of the Star Tribune, highlighted the quality of the local journalistic ecosystem.
Local journalists have demonstrated distinct advantages in covering these stories. For example, reporter Josie Albertson-Grove was among the first on the scene after a shooting incident due to her proximity and local knowledge. Similarly, reporter Liz Sawyer's established sources were instrumental in reporting on specific shooting events. Staff members' deep understanding of Minnesota's social and neighborhood networks also significantly facilitated their coverage.
Key Reporting Highlights
- Defining Photography: Richard Tsong-Taatarii captured a widely shared photo of a demonstrator being sprayed with a chemical irritant at close range during a protest.
- Immigration Enforcement Analysis: Christopher Magan and Jeff Hargarten identified 240 of an estimated 3,000 immigrants detained in Minnesota. Their report indicated that 80% had felony convictions, but nearly all had undergone the court system, been punished, and were no longer actively sought by police.
- Community Impact Commentary: Columnist Laura Yuen wrote about the pervasive fear within the Twin Cities' immigrant communities, noting her 80-year-old parents' decision to carry passports and her own use of a digital passport.
- Health Consequences Reporting: Kim Hyatt and Louis Krauss detailed potential health consequences associated with chemical irritants deployed by law enforcement during events.
Operational Shifts and Increased Engagement
Since May, the Star Tribune has adapted its operations to aggressively cover major stories. These changes include a continuously updated live blog, an increased focus on video content, and forensic analyses of footage from shooting incidents—capabilities few local newsrooms possess.
The newspaper has observed a 50% increase in website traffic, a rise in paid subscriptions, and significant donations from across the country.
Editor Hennessey noted that readers are returning multiple times daily for updates, indicating a shift in news consumption habits.
The newsroom has adopted an integrated approach, with various teams, including food and culture reporters, contributing to coverage.
Digital Transformation and Challenges
Under CEO Steve Grove, a former Google executive, the Star Tribune has pursued a digital-first transformation, which involved a 20% staff turnover over two years. In December, the paper ceased print operations in Minneapolis, relocating them to Iowa and resulting in 125 layoffs.
Grove acknowledged the financial headwinds facing local news organizations but noted the Star Tribune's position as the largest newsroom in the Midwest provides some advantage. Despite expressing exhaustion, journalists conveyed pride in their public service journalism during this period of intense local and national spotlight.