Winter Keefer

Journalism and vicarious trauma in the wake of a school shooting - MinnPost Journalists who have covered school shootings remember what it takes to report on this kind of horror when it happens in our own community.

I’m finally getting around to sharing this column I wrote last week. It was hard to write and it’s daunting to share. But I hope it can help someone.

Thank you for taking the time to read. I urge you all to take care of yourselves and each other - today, this week and always.

Back on Bluesky because @rlyrealmattblake.bsky.social joined. Give Matt a follow to keep up with state government news!

Demystifying Vance Boelter’s unremarkable tenure on state board Those who served with him have little recollection of suspected murderer’s time on the nonpartisan Governor's Workforce Development Board.

After finding a “kernel” of information as news breaks, "people are going to take it and then spin the yarn they want out of it,” said Larry Jacobs, a public opinion, elections and public policy researcher.

Check out this clarifying story by me and @shadib.bsky.social for @minnpost.bsky.social.

The trash saga continues. Shout out to @pmajerle.bsky.social for the photo on this one 🫡

Housing issues motivate interim St. Paul council member Privratsky Meet Matt Privratsky, who Mayor Melvin Carter appointed to serve until the Aug. 12 special election to fill Mitra Jalali’s Ward 4 seat.

Only slight clarification is that the job being bizarre, specific, and difficult (and short term) is part of what drew me to it! AND I also know there are others better fit to fill it long-term.

Really appreciate @winterkeefer.bsky.social's coverage! www.minnpost.com/metro/2025/0...

Attorneys urge Hennepin County, judges to protect clients from ICE Protestors want a new policy that would make county buildings safe from federal immigration enforcement agents.

The word “shame” echoed through the 24-story atrium of the Hennepin County Government Center Tuesday afternoon as up to over 100 sit-in protestors gathered to decry ICE presence in county buildings, including courthouses and jails. buff.ly/0opvcEP

Endless crockpot of soups on a table

Soup for my family

Why photos of cities in other states are mistakenly used in ads Simple production errors are likely to blame for at least three screwups involving Minnesota candidates or organizations in recent years.

Viewers have flagged at least three ad mixups involving candidates or organizations in the state in recent years — a goofy phenomenon that experts say has minimal impact outside of being, frankly, embarrassing. buff.ly/4biV1Un

@deannapistono.bsky.social has such a great voice for radio. 🙌 Check out her story

Uncertainty over federal funds has Minnesota nonprofits on edge Minnesota nonprofits are thinking ahead, reaching out to non-governmental funders and considering where expenses can be cut.

New article up on @minnpost.bsky.social today - many thanks to all who spoke with me and shared their insights, especially in these, to put it as diplomatically as I can, uncertain times.

Want to learn more about how the Trump administration is impacting Minnesotans? Sign up for our next MinnPost Social to hear D.C. corespondent Ana Radelat and I talk about it. It’s free! You just need to register.

Thanks, @lindsayinmpls.bsky.social for your insight on this topic. Federal funding to cities impacts every aspect of our daily lives. Read more about the potential impact of cuts in this story.

Minneapolis, St. Paul schools are preparing for possible ICE raids A policy protecting immigrants in “sensitive zones,” including schools, has been rescinded under new policy from the Trump administration.

A policy protecting immigrants in “sensitive zones,” including schools, was rescinded under the new Trump administration. Here’s a look at the policies and practices Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools have in place. buff.ly/4gerMmw

Minneapolis shelter won't move forward with City Council funds Four months after a grant to Agate Housing was contested by the mayor and staff, plans have been called off.

Four months after the City Council council approved a $1.5 million grant that was contested by the mayor and staff, Agate Housing has confirmed it will no longer move forward with renovations. buff.ly/4he9Mdn

Did Minneapolis end 2024 with more police than it started with? Police retirements and reduced interest in careers in law enforcement have been a factor for major U.S. cities struggling with staffing.

Fact Brief: Did Minneapolis end 2024 with more police than it started with for the first time in five years? buff.ly/4gkdFw1

Trump officials threaten prosecution of Minnesota officials Plus: Pete Hegseth clears key U.S. Senate vote on his way to confirmation despite new abuse claims from ex sister-in-law.

In this week’s D.C. Memo:
• Trump Justice Department threatens to prosecute ‘sanctuary’ jurisdiction officials in Minnesota
• Hegseth clears key vote on his way to confirmation
• Your questions and comments; and more buff.ly/42tjWSW

Was one of the creators of Dungeons & Dragons a Minnesotan? The key to answering that question is Dave Arneson, who was born in Hennepin County and attended the University of Minnesota.

Fact Brief: Was one of the creators of Dungeons & Dragons a Minnesotan? buff.ly/42sTuJ1

St. Paul City Council President Mitra Jalali to step down Feb. 5 The city council will choose new leadership next week and appoint an interim council member.

St. Paul City Council President Mitra Jalali will take a leave of office on Feb. 5, and then resign. Ward 4 needs a temporary fill-in, and then a special election. Interested? www.twincities.com/2025/01/24/s...

What does the end of Minneapolis 2040 lawsuit mean for housing? After a judge dismissed a suit that had temporarily blocked projects allowable under the comprehensive plan, a key roadblock is gone.

Last week, a judge dismissed a lawsuit that had temporarily blocked projects allowable under the city’s comprehensive plan. Now that roadblock is gone. buff.ly/3ElZCZm

Trump threatens Minneapolis police agreement; Frey pushes back President Trump’s new civil rights division head issued a memo that puts the implementation of the Minneapolis consent decree in question.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey pushed back Thursday on Trump administration plans to review a newly negotiated police-reform agreement with the city: “Regardless of the Trump administration’s announcement, we will be moving forward with the terms outlined in the consent decree.” buff.ly/3Eb8PE8

For new life, Nicollet Mall needs bikes and other wheeled visitors It’s possible to reroute buses and make the much-discussed downtown Minneapolis avenue more vibrant, but it won’t be easy or inexpensive.

It’s entirely possible to improve transit performance through downtown, while also making Nicollet more attractive and vital. But without more specific plans in place, it’s hard to say whether the change would be an improvement. buff.ly/4aIk5UJ

St. Paul council and mayor still at odds over the city’s 2025 budget Officials debate which version is valid — one that included the mayor’s line-item vetoes or the council’s version with a veto override.

Lost in a holiday haze, St. Paul left citizens hanging on which version of the budget ultimately made it into the new year — one that included the mayor’s line-item vetoes or the City Council’s version with a veto override. buff.ly/4j64TnU

Looking back at Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s 2024 veto efforts The mayor used his veto power eight times in 2024, which was a record one-year number during his tenure. Four of those vetoes were overridden.

Happy New Year, Bluesky! This year I swear I’m going to try to post on here more.

Lots to look back at in Minneapolis going into the new year, including all of the vetoes by Mayor Jacob Frey:

www.minnpost.com/metro/2025/0...

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Support MinnPost's independent, paywall-free journalism with a gift today➡️ minnpost.fundjournalism.org/support/?cam...

‘Yesterday, you could take my labor’: Justice system wages at issue Panelists at Re-Imaging Justice Conference seek fair compensation and recognition for incarcerated workers in Minnesota's prison system.

New story up on @minnpost.bsky.social about a panel from the Minnesota Justice Research Center's Re-Imagining Justice Conference called 'It's Time to End Slavery in Minnesota.'

Council passed the resolution 9-3 with council members Rainville, Vetaw and Palmisano dissenting. Prior to this final vote, the council had a tied vote 6-6 (meaning it failed) on a motion to delay action on the board and send the item to COW for a public hearing before council would take action.

What you need to know about the Labor Standards Board vote From the naysayers to its supporters, the Minneapolis advisory board has been a hot topic. Here’s a primer before the City Council meets.

Big things happening at council this morning. Today, the Minneapolis City Council will vote on a proposed Labor Standards Board resolution. Here’s everything you need to know about the board and why it has been both hotly contested and advocated for. www.minnpost.com/metro/2024/1...

I’m excited to engage on this platform. You can also email story ideas to wkeefer@minnpost.com.

I’ve covered pretty much everything at this point - politics (hyper-local, state, national), schools, public safety, mullet competitions, a weirdly controversial bridge, bubbles, you name it.

Hi, Bluesky! Thank you for giving me a follow. Quick intro, I’m @minnpost.bsky.social's metro reporter. Before jumping over to nonprofit news in March of this year, I was an associate editor at Twin Cities Business. Before that I worked in Michigan newsrooms including for MLive's The Flint Journal.