## A Year in Review: Reporting from the Minnesota Reformer
My most memorable journalistic achievement this year stemmed from a simple question: What did Representative Ilhan Omar actually say? Social media posts alleged she stated, in Somali, that Somali-Americans prioritize their Somali identity over their Muslim faith. This sparked a flurry of accusations questioning her allegiance to the United States, even from fellow Representative Tom Emmer. Much of the media reported on the ensuing “controversy” without verifying the accuracy of the claim, hampered by a lack of Somali language speakers. The *Minnesota Reformer*, however, hired two translators, revealing that Omar had been the victim of a smear campaign orchestrated by a Somali political rival.
This wasn’t the only challenging story we tackled. A few months later, I edited Max Nesterak’s investigative piece detailing Representative Omar’s husband’s business failures. We received a thinly veiled threat of litigation from his lawyer before publication, but we proceeded undeterred, upholding the *Reformer*’s commitment to reporting “without fear or favor.”
The diversity of our work this year was remarkable. While covering the November elections, we also delved into a deeply moving story about Reverend JaNaé Bates and her incarcerated fiancé, Jamel Dontez Hatcher, exploring the complexities of redemption. The selection of Governor Tim Walz as the Democratic nominee for vice president dominated Minnesota news. Having covered Walz since 2017, I was well-positioned to contribute, writing an introductory profile that was widely republished across the nation. I also addressed his public misstatements and penned a column defending Minnesota’s values and quality of life to a national audience. Finally, Michelle Griffith and I collaborated on a piece covering his post-election reflections.
Many of my most impactful columns stemmed from anger—anger at Minnesota Republicans endorsing Donald Trump during the GOP primary, at the stark disparity in justice illustrated by a dairy farm’s wage theft case, at local governments obstructing pro-housing legislation, and at the Minneapolis Police Department’s defense of officers’ actions in the Jaleel Stallings case.
I’m incredibly fortunate to work with the exceptionally talented reporters at the *Reformer*. Their dedication to meticulous fact-finding makes my job as editor significantly easier. Their preparedness and thoroughness are consistently impressive.
The year wasn’t without its bittersweet moments. While it’s an honor to have our reporters sought after by larger organizations, we were saddened to see Deena Winter and Aaron Brown join the *Star Tribune*. They were exceptional journalists who helped our small newsroom exceed expectations, and more importantly, they were valued members of our *Reformer* family. While now friendly competitors, our shared history remains.
We wish you and your loved ones a happy and prosperous 2025.
J. Patrick Coolican
*Editor-in-Chief, Minnesota Reformer*
*December 31, 2024*
(Note: The boilerplate information about the Minnesota Reformer, its licensing, and J. Patrick Coolican’s biography has been omitted from this rewrite for brevity, as it was repetitive in the original submission. It can be easily re-added if desired.)*