## A Year in Review: Reporting from the Trenches of Minnesota
2024 proved to be a year of dynamic challenges and rewarding triumphs at the *Minnesota Reformer*. My personal highlight stemmed from a deceptively simple question: What did U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar actually say? Social media posts alleged she stated, in Somali, that Somali-Americans prioritized their Somali identity over their American citizenship. This sparked a firestorm of criticism, including from fellow Representative Tom Emmer, accusing Omar of disloyalty. Both local and national media outlets reported on the “controversy” without verifying the accuracy of the claim, hampered by a lack of Somali-language speakers. The *Reformer*, however, hired two translators, exposing the claim as a smear campaign orchestrated by a Somali political rival.
This incident underscored the importance of rigorous fact-checking and language accessibility in responsible journalism. It was followed, just months later, by another test of our commitment to truth: an investigative piece by Max Nesterak detailing the business failures of Omar’s husband. Faced with a veiled legal threat from his lawyer, we published the story without compromise, upholding our principle of reporting “without fear or favor.”
The year’s work extended far beyond political controversies. While covering the November elections, we delved into a deeply personal story exploring redemption, spending considerable time with Rev. JaNaé Bates and her incarcerated fiancé, Jamel Dontez Hatcher.
The selection of Governor Tim Walz as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee constituted Minnesota’s biggest news event. Having covered Walz since 2017, I was prepared to document this pivotal moment. My introductory profile was republished nationally, introducing the relatively unknown Midwestern governor to a wider audience. I also analyzed his public statements and penned a column defending Minnesota’s values and quality of life to a national readership. Finally, I collaborated with Michelle Griffith on a piece covering Walz’s post-election reflections.
Several of my most impactful columns arose from moments of righteous anger. These included the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement of Donald Trump, a wage theft case on a dairy farm highlighting the stark disparity in America’s justice system, local government obstruction of pro-housing legislation, and the Minneapolis Police Department’s defense of officers’ conduct in the Jaleel Stallings case.
As editor, I am incredibly fortunate to work alongside the *Reformer’s* talented reporters. Their dedication to meticulous fact-finding simplifies my role immensely. Their thoroughness is evident in their consistently insightful answers to even my most probing follow-up questions.
While 2024 had its bittersweet moments – losing exceptional reporters Deena Winter and Aaron Brown to the *Star Tribune* – their departure, though painful, is a testament to the high caliber of journalism fostered at the *Reformer*. They were not merely colleagues; they were family. And thankfully, that familial bond transcends even friendly competition.
We at the *Minnesota Reformer* wish you and your loved ones a happy and prosperous 2025.
(Editor’s Note: The following sections are metadata and copyright information, and are not part of the year-in-review itself.)
*By J. Patrick Coolican, Minnesota Reformer, December 31, 2024*
*Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Minnesota Reformer maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor J. Patrick Coolican for questions: info@minnesotareformer.com.*
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