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Becky Zosia Dernbach

@bzosiad.bsky.social
1.6K followers 274 following 84 posts

Education reporter @sahanjournal.bsky.social. Minneapolis.

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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Minneapolis Public Schools officials announced tonight they will drop plans to close any schools next year...but difficult decisions are coming. My writeup of tonight's meeting: sahanjournal.com/education/mi...
sahanjournal.com
Minneapolis district drops proposal to close schools next year
Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lisa Sayles-Adams announced Tuesday that the district will drop a proposal to close schools next year.
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
North Side parents, staff tell Minneapolis Public Schools leaders that they want district plans to prioritize opportunity and stability for their children. By @bzosiad.bsky.social
sahanjournal.com
North Minneapolis parents slam proposed school closures
North Side parents, staff tell Minneapolis Public Schools leaders that they want district plans to prioritize opportunity and stability for their children.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
My writeup of the first MPS community meeting on school transformation, last night at Camden: sahanjournal.com/education/mi...
sahanjournal.com
North Minneapolis parents slam proposed school closures
North Side parents, staff tell Minneapolis Public Schools leaders that they want district plans to prioritize opportunity and stability for their children.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Minneapolis Public Schools confirms to me they have an enrollment backlog of nearly 700 students, three weeks into the school year. sahanjournal.com/education/mi...
sahanjournal.com
Minneapolis Schools has backlog of 700 students waiting to enroll
Minneapolis Public Schools officials confirmed on Friday that they are working through an enrollment backlog of 700 students — just as the district has unveiled a plan to close up to 16 schools.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I'm seeing some chatter about whether the education funding ballot amendment could help Minneapolis schools. The answer is it would boost MPS funding by about $1 million a year. You can see how much it would boost funding for any individual district here: voteyesmnstudents.org
voteyesmnstudents.org
Vote Yes: Boost Funding for Minnesota Public Schools
Vote Yes for a constitutional amendment to boost Minnesota public school funding without raising taxes, benefiting every student statewide.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Listen here for my take on Tuesday night's Minneapolis school board meeting: ⬇️
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I will be on @citycasttwincities.bsky.social tomorrow talking about the Minneapolis Public Schools transformation proposals. Anyway, here are my thoughts on euphemisms www.youtube.com/shorts/g8F8W...
youtube.com
Minneapolis could close up to 16 public schools next year
YouTube video by City Cast Twin Cities
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Here's what happened at the school board tonight! Plus a handy list of what schools they have proposed closing! sahanjournal.com/education/mi...
sahanjournal.com
Minneapolis could close up to 16 schools
Minneapolis Public Schools officials rolled out a plan Tuesday night that could see up to 16 schools close as the district tries to address ongoing budget deficits.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Here's what happened at the school board tonight! Plus a handy list of what schools they have proposed closing! sahanjournal.com/education/mi...
sahanjournal.com
Minneapolis could close up to 16 schools
Minneapolis Public Schools officials rolled out a plan Tuesday night that could see up to 16 schools close as the district tries to address ongoing budget deficits.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The Minneapolis school board plans to discuss its long-awaited proposal for school transformation, which could include closures and consolidations, in a work session Tuesday night. The presentation with details about the plan will not be made public until Tuesday night.
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
St. Paul’s Benjamin E. Mays School opened its doors this fall with a new focus as an Afrocentric magnet — a longtime dream of community members in the African-American Rondo neighborhood. Written by @bzosiad.bsky.social
sahanjournal.com
Rooted in culture: St. Paul launches Afrocentric magnet school
St. Paul’s Benjamin E. Mays School opened its doors this fall with a new focus as an Afrocentric magnet — a longtime dream of community members in the African-American Rondo neighborhood.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I sent more than 40 data requests and called more people than I could keep count of to figure out what Operation Metro Surge did to Minnesota school enrollment and what happened to the kids who disappeared. Our story is out today — please give it a read.
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
A Sahan Journal data analysis shows student enrollment declined in Minnesota school districts with the highest percentage of English learners after the federal immigration operation. For some, the loss will have long-term impacts. By @bzosiad.bsky.social and Cynthia Tu
sahanjournal.com
Minnesota schools lost at least 1,700 students after ICE operation
A Sahan Journal data analysis shows student enrollment declined in Minnesota school districts with the highest percentage of English learners after the federal immigration operation. For some, the los...
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
A federal judge has dismissed on procedural grounds a Department of Justice lawsuit against Minneapolis Public Schools’ policy aimed at retaining teachers of color. By @bzosiad.bsky.social
sahanjournal.com
Judge dismisses DOJ lawsuit over MPS protections for teachers of color
A federal judge has dismissed on procedural grounds a Department of Justice lawsuit against Minneapolis Public Schools’ policy aimed at retaining teachers of color.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
A federal judge dismissed today a DOJ lawsuit against Minneapolis Public Schools' contract provision aimed at retaining teachers of color: sahanjournal.com/education/mi...
sahanjournal.com
Judge dismisses DOJ lawsuit over MPS protections for teachers of color
A federal judge has dismissed on procedural grounds a Department of Justice lawsuit against Minneapolis Public Schools’ policy aimed at retaining teachers of color.
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Two years after political backlash derailed Raz Segal’s appointment to lead the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, the scholar says his $250,000 settlement sends a message about academic freedom. By @bzosiad.bsky.social
sahanjournal.com
UMN pays $250K after rescinding job offer over Gaza comments
Two years ago, Holocaust scholar Raz Segal lost a University of Minnesota job offer after calling Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide. Now, he will receive a $250,000 settlement that he says is a win fo...
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Will Jones @willpjones.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
“He’d hoped to build up the institution of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the University of Minnesota to make it more internationally relevant and significant. But two years later, the director position remains unfilled, and Segal expects it will stay that way.”
sahanjournal.com
UMN pays $250K after rescinding job offer over Gaza comments
Two years ago, Holocaust scholar Raz Segal lost a University of Minnesota job offer after calling Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide. Now, he will receive a $250,000 settlement that he says is a win fo...
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
The University of Minnesota has paid an Israeli Holocaust scholar $250,000 after revoking his job offer in 2024 following backlash that he called the war in Gaza a genocide: sahanjournal.com/education/un...
sahanjournal.com
UMN pays $250K after rescinding job offer over Gaza comments
Two years ago, Holocaust scholar Raz Segal lost a University of Minnesota job offer after calling Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide. Now, he will receive a $250,000 settlement that he says is a win fo...
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
As they navigated their senior year, students saw family members deported and found themselves in the middle of a Border Patrol action where some were hit by chemical irritants. Written by @bzosiad.bsky.social
sahanjournal.com
Roosevelt students graduate after year that brought ICE to their door
The Roosevelt High School class of 2026 has graduated after a year where many experienced the impact of Operation Metro Surge firsthand.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
So honored to receive this recognition, and beyond grateful to these students, their parents, and their teacher for sharing their stories with me. You can read the story here: sahanjournal.com/education/im...
sahanjournal.com
They came for an education. Then the immigration crackdown began.
Many urban school districts like Minneapolis Public Schools welcomed immigrant students with open arms during the Biden administration. But Trump’s promise of mass deportations has left those students...
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Next year, Minnesota will provide funding to high-poverty schools on the basis of how many kids are enrolled in public benefit programs. But that leaves a lot of kids uncounted — including immigrant kids who don't qualify for those programs. sahanjournal.com/education/mi...
sahanjournal.com
Minnesota Legislature approves $10M to aid high-poverty schools
Despite a last-minute legislative fix, Minnesota school districts will lose millions of dollars because of a change in how the state counts students in poverty.
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City Cast Twin Cities @citycasttwincities.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Today: As Minneapolis schools face million-dollar budget cuts, Sahan Journal's Becky Dernbach (@bzosiad.bsky.social) tells us a school for teen moms and their kids have a lot to lose. Plus, a second ICE agent has been charged and what clowns have to teach us. twincities.citycast.fm/podcasts/sch...
twincities.citycast.fm
School for Teen Moms Faces Cuts. Plus, ICE Agent Charged and the Art of Clowning - City Cast Twin Cities
A second immigration agent has been charged by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. One week after Renee Good was killed, agent Christian J. Cast...
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Stacey Burns @wentrogue.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
About 30 percent of these student parents are homeless or “highly mobile” (no stable housing). They’re already working so hard to succeed. Pulling even more support could mean the difference between earning a diploma or dropping out — disastrous for them and for their children
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
The Minneapolis Public Schools faces a $40 million deficit and 150 job cuts. For teen moms at Longfellow Alternative High School, that’s led to an emotional seesaw of proposed cuts and some last-minute reversals. Written by @bzosiad.bsky.social
sahanjournal.com
Teen moms push back on Minneapolis school budget cuts
The Minneapolis Public Schools faces a $40 million deficit and 150 job cuts. For teen moms at Longfellow Alternative High School, that’s led to an emotional seesaw of proposed cuts and some last-minut...
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
A federal judge heard arguments on Wednesday over a DOJ lawsuit challenging a Minneapolis Public Schools teacher contract provision tied to race and layoffs. Written by @bzosiad.bsky.social
sahanjournal.com
DOJ challenges MPS protections for teachers of color
A federal judge heard arguments on Wednesday over a DOJ lawsuit challenging a Minneapolis Public Schools teacher contract provision tied to race and layoffs.
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Elizabeth Shockman @eshockmanwrites.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
These stories of MN children detained by ICE, as reported by @bzosiad.bsky.social , are horrifying. sahanjournal.com/immigration/...
sahanjournal.com
ICE detained more than 70 Minnesota children, data reveals
Immigration officials detained more than 70 Minnesota children between Dec. 1 and March 10, a Sahan analysis of court records and federal deportation data shows.
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Gillian Brockell @gillianbrockell.com · 22/04/2026
Pulitzer-worthy reporting here from Minnesota immigrant news @sahanjournal.bsky.social. 70+ children detained during Operation MetroSurge. 30 sent to Dilley. Two dozen held >20 days, a Flores violation. 7 still detained as of March 10. ~20 have been deported. sahanjournal.com/immigration/...
sahanjournal.com
ICE detained more than 70 Minnesota children, data reveals
Immigration officials detained more than 70 Minnesota children between Dec. 1 and March 10, a Sahan analysis of court records and federal deportation data shows.
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Aleesa @akuzee.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
-More than 30 kids were sent to Dilley -Nearly two dozen were held in custody for more than 20 days, in violation of law -Teens who were detained alone were sent to Christian youth shelters in Michigan -Nearly half of the children detained have since left the country sahanjournal.com/immigration/...
sahanjournal.com
ICE detained more than 70 Minnesota children, data reveals
Immigration officials detained more than 70 Minnesota children between Dec. 1 and March 10, a Sahan analysis of court records and federal deportation data shows.
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Lisa Song @lisalsong.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
"Immigration officials confiscated the boy’s stuffed dinosaur toy and winter hat. At Dilley, they were provided with expired and spoiled food, which the child refused to eat." The boy was 5. This wasn't Liam Conejo Ramos, but another 5-year-old boy from Minnesota.
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Jessica Lussenhop @jlussenhop.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
"Nearly two dozen were held in custody for more than 20 days...Teens who were detained alone were sent to Christian youth shelters in Michigan, which made it hard for their families to find them. And nearly half of the children detained have since left the country." sahanjournal.com/immigration/...
sahanjournal.com
ICE detained more than 70 Minnesota children, data reveals
Immigration officials detained more than 70 Minnesota children between Dec. 1 and March 10, a Sahan analysis of court records and federal deportation data shows.
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Sahan’s analysis of court records and federal deportation data represents the most thorough accounting yet of the Minnesota children detained during Operation Metro Surge. By @bzosiad.bsky.social and @cynthiatu.bsky.social
sahanjournal.com
ICE detained more than 70 Minnesota children, data reveals
Immigration officials detained more than 70 Minnesota children between Dec. 1 and March 10, a Sahan analysis of court records and federal deportation data shows.
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Kyle Tran Myhre @guante.info · 21/04/2026
“This is a systemic violent act, to be detaining children, that has long-term consequences,” Kelley said. “It’s massively detrimental to the well-being of these families and our whole communities.”
sahanjournal.com
ICE detained more than 70 Minnesota children, data reveals
Immigration officials detained more than 70 Minnesota children between Dec. 1 and March 10, a Sahan analysis of court records and federal deportation data shows.
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Bill Lindeke @blindeke.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
"Of the children who were detained, nearly two dozen were held in custody for more than 20 days, in violation of a longstanding legal settlement. Teens who were detained alone were sent to Christian youth shelters in Michigan." sahanjournal.com/immigration/...
sahanjournal.com
ICE detained more than 70 Minnesota children, data reveals
Immigration officials detained more than 70 Minnesota children between Dec. 1 and March 10, a Sahan analysis of court records and federal deportation data shows.
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
WORST OF THE WORST...?: ICE detained children... dozens of them, at least 70, in fact... Half have left the country. Several remain detained, likely out of state. An in-depth report from Sahan Journal: sahanjournal.com/immigration/...
sahanjournal.com
ICE detained more than 70 Minnesota children, data reveals
Immigration officials detained more than 70 Minnesota children between Dec. 1 and March 10, a Sahan analysis of court records and federal deportation data shows.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
One senior finance official was fired as a result of the investigation into the missing $3 million. But in an interview, he told me he had nothing to do with it; he started his job eight months after the problem began. Some twists and turns in this one... sahanjournal.com/education/mi...
sahanjournal.com
Minneapolis Schools’ shakeup of finance staff followed probe into missing $3M
Minneapolis Public Schools fired one senior finance official and placed two others on leave following an investigation into $3 million diverted from an employee health fund.
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Columbia Journalism Award recognizes Sahan Journal’s impact on immigrant stories. @columbiajournalism.bsky.social Read more: sahanjournal.com/inside-sahan...
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Gabe Ortíz @tusk81.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
After 16-year-old Ariel’s dad was abducted by ICE at his construction job, he became his family’s breadwinner. “Ariel works for the same construction company as his dad … As the summer progressed, he took over his father’s construction job, managing a team of workers and making sure they were paid.“
sahanjournal.com
As ICE detains parents, children take on adult burdens
When ICE detains parents, children take on adult roles and face lasting trauma. Minnesota families share how they cope with separation and fear.
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Lawyers for two Minnesota school districts and the state’s largest teachers union argued that the Department of Homeland Security broke the law when it revoked a policy limiting ICE enforcement near schools. Written by @bzosiad.bsky.social
sahanjournal.com
Judge will decide whether ICE can operate near school grounds
A federal judge heard arguments on whether a policy change led to more ICE activity near Minnesota schools and rising fear among students and families.
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Thousands of children have been separated from one or both parents amid heightened immigration enforcement in Minnesota and nationwide. The impact, from immediate adult responsibilities to chronic stress, is lasting, therapists say. By @bzosiad.bsky.social
sahanjournal.com
As ICE detains parents, children take on adult burdens
When ICE detains parents, children take on adult roles and face lasting trauma. Minnesota families share how they cope with separation and fear.
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Cengiz Yar @cengizyar.com · 01/04/2026
“She took our hands and started to pray. It was difficult, being with the two children more than anything. It was very hard for me to see how they were suffering.” sahanjournal.com/immigration/...
sahanjournal.com
As ICE detains parents, children take on adult burdens
When ICE detains parents, children take on adult roles and face lasting trauma. Minnesota families share how they cope with separation and fear.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
For the thousands of kids whose parents have been detained by ICE, the trauma and new adult responsibilities aren't going away anytime soon. I talked to elementary students, teenagers, and young adults to hear how their lives have changed: sahanjournal.com/immigration/...
sahanjournal.com
As ICE detains parents, children take on adult burdens
When ICE detains parents, children take on adult roles and face lasting trauma. Minnesota families share how they cope with separation and fear.
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marymoriarty.bsky.social @marymoriarty.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is investigating what happened at Roosevelt as part of our Transparency and Accountability Project (TAP)
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Quentin Williams says he felt like he was moments from death after several Border Patrol agents piled on top of him and choked him on Jan. 7 while pursuing someone else. Written by @bzosiad.bsky.social
sahanjournal.com
Roosevelt staffer recounts being tackled, choked by Border Patrol
Roosevelt High School staffer Quentin Williams recounts being tackled by Border Patrol agents in south Minneapolis on January 7.
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Judge Katherine Menendez rejected a lawsuit by the Department of Justice claiming Minnesota’s Dream Act discriminates against U.S. citizens from other states. Written by @bzosiad.bsky.social
sahanjournal.com
Undocumented Minnesotans can still get in-state tuition after judge dismisses federal challenge
Undocumented immigrants in Minnesota can continue to qualify for in-state tuition and financial aid, after a federal judge on Friday dismissed a suit challenging the state law.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Stephen Miller makes moves to overturn Plyler v. Doe, the precedential Supreme Court decision that guarantees undocumented kids the right to an education: www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/u...
nytimes.com
Stephen Miller Asks Why Texas Pays to Teach Undocumented Children
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Minnesota House Republican education committee leaders sent a letter to Kristi Noem asking her to keep ICE out of schools, while voting down a DFL bill that aimed to accomplish the same goal. sahanjournal.com/education/mi...
sahanjournal.com
Minnesota Republicans ask ICE to limit activity near schools
Four Minnesota Republican legislators have asked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to limit ICE activity near schools, following a period of ramped-up enforcement that pushed many students to sh...
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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Calling all Minnesota college journalists: Applications for the 2026 student scholarship are now open and will be accepted until May 15. This year, MNSPJ will award one $2,000 scholarship to a student pursuing a career in broadcast, print, online or visual journalism. Find out more here: MNSPJ.ORG
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
The Star Tribune reports that former acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, in one of his first acts since joining private practice, will be representing Don Lemon.
Newspaper article by Sarah Nelson. Headline: Former acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson to represent Don Lemon. Text: Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon will be represented by former acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson in his criminal case tied to the anti-ICE demonstration at a St. Paul church service on Jan. 18, according to court records.

Thompson, who departed the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota amid a wave of resignations mid-January, notified the court Tuesday about appearing as Lemon’s lawyer.

Lemon was among several people charged by the Justice Department with conspiracy against religious freedom in the aftermath of the disruption at Cities Church. He, along with Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Allen, Will Kelly and Jerome Richardson are slated to be arraigned Friday in St. Paul.
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Columbia Heights Public Schools tells me that Elizabeth and her mom came home today!
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