Author

Deena Winter

Deena Winter

Deena Winter has covered local and state government in four states over the past three decades, with stints at the Bismarck Tribune in North Dakota, as a correspondent for the Denver Post, city hall reporter in Lincoln, Nebraska, and regional editor for Southwest News in the western Minneapolis suburbs.

Republicans say Orwellian ‘bias registry’ could still be created under new law

By: - September 18, 2023

A Minnesota bill that would have created a state government database of “hate incidents” — which drew impassioned opposition from Republicans who said it would police constitutionally protected political speech — was quietly watered down during the waning days of the legislative session. 

Conservative group challenges legality of Minnesota’s new election misinformation law

By: - September 12, 2023

The Minnesota Voters Alliance is suing the state over a new law barring people from distributing misinformation in the run-up to elections.

Mike Lindell goes ballistic during depositions, lashing out at lawyers 

By: - September 12, 2023

Mike Lindell lost his cool during a series of legal depositions recently. Lindell yelled, swore, called lawyers names, banged his fist on a table and repeatedly slammed down a pile of legal documents during a March deposition he gave defending himself in a defamation lawsuit. 

Forever chemicals found in tribal school well on Leech Lake reservation

By: - September 1, 2023

When students return to school after Labor Day at the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School on the Leech Lake reservation, they won’t drink from water fountains or eat food prepared with well water. Five-gallon jugs of water are propped all over the school and in the cafeteria after manmade, toxic chemicals were found in the school’s drinking water […]

Some of MPD’s newly appointed leaders have stains on their lengthy records

By: - August 29, 2023

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara named a new leadership team comprised of nine department veterans — six of whom have some stains on their records.

Minneapolis police chief faces three investigations for alleged misconduct 

By: - August 24, 2023

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara is under fire, with some activists calling for him to be reprimanded after three complaints were filed against him, one in connection with his approval of the hiring of an officer with a history of excessive force.

Scott Jensen back on speaking circuit with anti-vaxx activists

By: - August 22, 2023

Scott Jensen, the 2022 Republican candidate for governor in Minnesota, has apparently changed his mind again about whether to hang out with some infamous anti-vaxxers. 

12 Minnesota cities exceed EPA’s proposed limits for forever chemicals in drinking water

By: - August 22, 2023

The Minnesota Department of Health has identified 12 cities and two manufactured home parks where at least a portion of the drinking water is estimated to exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed new limits on toxic, man-made chemicals dubbed “forever chemicals.”

Former Somali warlord spoke at Minneapolis City Council candidate’s fundraiser

By: - August 21, 2023

A Minneapolis City Council candidate held a June fundraiser featuring the scion of a Somali political family whose patriarch was known as a ruthless warlord whose clan-based militias intercepted food shipments and attacked U.N. peacekeepers. The late Mohamed Farrah Aidid was a key player in a 1990 coup, after which Somalia’s government collapsed in 1992 amid famine. His son, Hussein Farrah Aidid, spoke at a fundraiser for Nasri Warsame, a DFL candidate running against Council Member Aisha Chugtai. 

DOJ: MPD off-duty work system undermines supervision

By: - August 16, 2023

The Minneapolis Police Department’s off-duty work system is poorly managed and undermines supervision, the U.S. Department of Justice reported in its recent investigation into the department’s policing practices.

Prosecutors appealing no prison time for ex-cop convicted of sexual assault of two girls

By: - August 14, 2023

Scott County prosecutors are appealing a judge’s decision to sentence a former New Ulm cop to 25 years of probation after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two girls. Eric Gramentz pleaded guilty in January to three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a child from 2015 to 2022. He was sentenced by District Judge […]

Investigation into water near 3M plant led to discovery of old and new chemicals in fish

By: - August 11, 2023

A state and federal investigation into chemical discharges from 3M’s Cottage Grove plant led to last week’s state health advisory about fish caught in the Mississippi River from St. Paul to Hastings, as well as a popular shore fishing lake near Hastings.