Author

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.
Walz on this moment: ‘I don’t think you get another chance at it’
By: J. Patrick Coolican and Deena Winter - September 18, 2020
Gov. Tim Walz campaigned on the theme of “One Minnesota,” but the state he governs lately feels at times like it’s coming apart. The COVID-19 pandemic deepened partisan and geographic divisions, as maskless marchers earlier this year demanded he end restrictions on bars, retail and other businesses even as the virus continued to spread. The […]
City Council to Police Chief Arradondo: Do something about the gun violence
By: Deena Winter - September 15, 2020
Minneapolis City Council members pressed the police chief Tuesday about what the department is doing about rising gunfire, homicides and even downtown drag racing. As the city approaches 400 people wounded by gunfire and 60 homicides this year, Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo tried to mollify the council during a “study session” Tuesday. In June, […]
Data: A slower, less proactive Minneapolis Police Department since George Floyd killing
By: Deena Winter - September 15, 2020
The Minneapolis Police Department has been slower to respond to calls this summer than last summer, according to data obtained through a Reformer public records request. MPD’s strategic analysis group compared response times of high-priority calls in 2019 and 2020 during three time periods: one before the police killing of George Floyd, and two after. […]
What happens if my candidate dies?
By: Deena Winter - September 14, 2020
Minnesotans will be among the first in the nation to start casting ballots for president, starting Friday. Minnesota is tied with South Dakota for the longest absentee voting period. Sounds great and all, but what happens if one of the candidates dies before the election — or after, for that matter? It’s a reasonable question, […]
City in negotiations to pay local constable force to provide security at George Floyd Square
By: Deena Winter - September 10, 2020
The city of Minneapolis is in negotiations to pay the volunteer security guards who have been patrolling the area now known as George Floyd Square at Chicago Avenue and 38th Street. The area has been blocked off with barricades and become a makeshift memorial to George Floyd after he died on the street at the […]
Anti-police-brutality activist/House candidate’s son arrested on gun charge
By: Deena Winter - September 10, 2020
The candidate for the Minnesota House who made inflammatory, profane remarks during a protest outside the home of a police union leader in Hugo is facing more controversy following the recent arrest of his son on a gun charge. John Thompson will likely become a state lawmaker after winning a DFL primary in a heavily […]
Cure cancer while achieving financial success! Jason Lewis used radio show to sell nutritional supplements via a multilevel marketing company.
By: Deena Winter - September 10, 2020
Back when he still had a radio show, U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis sold Youngevity nutritional supplements that the multi-level marketing company claims fight conditions such as cancer, autism and diabetes. Lewis’s supplement sales career is drawing new scrutiny as he enters the homestretch in his race for the U.S. Senate against Democratic Sen. Tina […]
Mom and Dad thought the coronavirus was overblown. And then they got it.
By: Deena Winter - September 8, 2020
Mom was in CVS when I texted her Sunday, letting her know I was headed to North Dakota. She and Dad had been diagnosed with COVID-19 nearly two weeks prior. They’re both 79 years old, and their texts seemed to indicate they were weathering it pretty well. But on Sunday, she was in CVS looking […]
Minnesota applies for weekly $300 boost in federal unemployment
By: Deena Winter - August 28, 2020
Gov. Tim Walz announced Friday that Minnesota has applied for President Donald Trump’s federal boost in unemployment benefits that could temporarily raise weekly payments by $300 per week for at least five weeks. To be eligible, people must be getting at least $100 per week in unemployment benefits, and must be unemployed due to the […]
Can Ye still get on the ballot?
By: Deena Winter - August 28, 2020
More evidence emerged this week that Republicans were in on the effort to get rapper Kanye West on the ballot in Minnesota in the upcoming presidential election. Andrew Post of Minnetonka, who has worked for Republicans, is listed as an elector for West, meaning he would represent the hip hop star and fashion mogul in […]
Med students protest, call for student’s expulsion after Floyd mural defacing
By: Deena Winter - August 27, 2020
Minneapolis Police are not expected to pursue charges against the man who recently defaced the George Floyd mural, a spokesman said. The police were not called about the vandalism, and a Minneapolis Police Department spokesman has said as far as he knows, no charges will be filed in the case. John Elder said Friday, “last […]
Judge grants temporary restraining order to ex-wife of Minnesota GOP communications director
By: Deena Winter - August 26, 2020
Just two weeks before Minnesota Republicans hired Jack Tomczak to be the party’s communications director, a Hennepin County judge granted a temporary restraining order against him, ruling “there are reasonable grounds to believe” he engaged in harassment of his ex-wife. Careen Holly Martin, 41, Tomczak’s ex-wife, filed a petition for a temporary harassment restraining order […]