## The Minnesota Reformer: A Year in Review (2024)
The Minnesota Reformer continued its commitment to hard-hitting investigative journalism in 2024, consistently addressing critical issues often overlooked by mainstream media. This year saw a diverse range of impactful commentaries, amplifying the voices of Minnesotans directly affected by critical state policies and events.
Our most widely read piece was penned by Kayseh Magan, a Somali-American fraud investigator with experience at the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. Magan’s commentary bravely confronted a sensitive issue within the Somali community, acknowledging the overrepresentation of community members in fraud cases. His insightful and empathetic analysis gained further relevance with the subsequent federal investigation of two autism providers. This timely piece was followed by a powerful three-part series by Chuck Johnson, former deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Services, offering a comprehensive analysis of fraud in state programs and potential solutions.
Winona LaDuke, a Native economist and writer, provided a searing critique of industrial agriculture’s devastating impact on the Indigenous community of Pine Point in northern Minnesota. She vividly described the environmental destruction and health risks posed by the influx of heavy equipment and toxic chemicals during the spring planting season. Complementing this perspective, we featured an excerpt from Austin Frerick’s book, “Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry,” illustrating Cargill’s aggressive pursuit of profit and its historical involvement in market manipulation.
Central to our mission was amplifying the voices of working Minnesotans. Nancy Poll, a former nursing home scheduler, highlighted the critical staffing shortages due to low wages and inadequate benefits, advocating for the crucial role of the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board in raising wages. Similarly, Kailee Schminkey, a commercial painter, emphasized the Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest’s success in closing wage gaps and increasing diversity within the construction industry. Shawntel Gruba, a childcare center owner, eloquently argued for the expansion of MinnesotaCare, the state’s public health insurance program, to ensure affordability for working-class families. Despite the Legislature’s failure to expand the program, this commentary underscored the challenges faced by those balancing wage increases with the precariousness of health care access.
We also explored the challenges of local governance under Democratic-Farmer-Labor control. Arianna Anderson and Brianna Lofton detailed their struggles as north Minneapolis mothers to secure city enforcement of housing codes. Steve Subera criticized a questionable developer’s deal in St. Paul, highlighting potential flaws in the city’s rent control ordinance. And Nick Magrino offered a scathing critique of the Metropolitan Council, arguing against its continued election. Balancing these perspectives, Pam Dowell reported on a potential violation of the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution regarding a large Ten Commandments display at the new Itasca County jail and government complex.
This year saw the welcome addition of Eric Harris Bernstein as a regular columnist, authoring our “Tax & Spend” column. Bernstein consistently provided insightful commentary, defending Minnesota values and advocating for strengthening state capacity. His analyses ranged from the Timberwolves’ NBA playoff run as a reflection of Minnesota’s strengths to the inherent perils of privatization.
We sadly bid farewell to Aaron Brown, a valued contributor whose insightful writing on the Iron Range’s history, economics, politics, and people enriched our publication since 2020. He has moved on to a regular column at the *Star Tribune*.
The Minnesota Reformer continues to thrive by amplifying the voices of everyday Minnesotans. We invite you to share your perspectives and contribute your unique insights. Submit your commentary or questions to [email protected]
By J. Patrick Coolican, Editor-in-Chief, Minnesota Reformer, December 27, 2024
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