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elliot hughes

@elliotshughes.bsky.social
1.1K followers 325 following 116 posts

General assignment reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune ✊🏼📰 elliot.hughes@startribune.com Signal: elliothughes.05

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Reposted by elliot hughes
Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · 18/09/2026
What happened in Minnesota’s federal court, Judge Patrick J. Schiltz said, “created a grave threat to the rule of law” as the Trump administration violated dozens of judicial orders at the height of Operation Metro Surge.
startribune.com
Trump’s Minnesota surge threatened democracy, federal judge warns
What happened in Minnesota’s federal court, Patrick J. Schiltz said, “created a grave threat to the rule of law.”
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
it is a true gift to ride your bike to a packer game. thank you to the great city of minneapolis cuz you know i'm not moving to green bay
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Star Tribune Going Out @stribgoingout.startribune.com · 27/08/2026
We’re out with the Strib Taste Team at the Minnesota State Fair trying all the new foods 😋 Follow along here for updates throughout our odyssey 🫡
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Target Corp. announced Wednesday it received nearly $1 billion in tariff refunds, and immediately afterward, consumers wondered on social media if they would see a slice of that.
startribune.com
Target collected $1B tariff refund. Will shoppers see any savings?
The retailer is the second major Minnesota company to report its refund from the federal government.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
As the one-year anniversary of the Annunciation shooting nears, a bench on Grass Lake has been dedicated to 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel.
startribune.com
Fletcher Merkel proved you can catch fish on Grass Lake. Now, a bench there honors him.
As the one-year anniversary of the Annunciation shooting approaches, well over 100 people attended a dedication for 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel on Tuesday.
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Wedge LIVE!™ @wedge.live · 14/08/2026
Real sassy message from the Park Board to Mayor Frey about his big idea to starve them of resources and create efficiencies. Past efforts to consolidate haven't worked and were rolled back. www.minnpost.com/community-vo...
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Carrie Brown @brizzyc.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
"How much of the decline in media trust is actually about the media’s actions, versus the narratives that get spun about them?" www.niemanlab.org/2026/08/is-a... This is some fascinating research.
niemanlab.org
Is Americans’ declining trust in media driven by political messaging?
A massive analysis of every speech given on the floors of Congress between 1939 and 2023 finds that criticism of the news media is remarkably tied to specific partisan interests and historical moments...
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
An Israeli-American historian who accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza received a $250,000 settlement from the University of Minnesota after it rescinded a job offer to him two years ago.
startribune.com
U of M pays $250,000 settlement to historian over Gaza genocide views
Raz Segal accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, igniting a controversy as he was set to join the university.
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · 02/08/2026
David Sotelo is the newest projectionist to carry on the Columbia Heights cinema’s century-old tradition of showcasing movies on 35mm and 70mm celluloid.
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What it takes to screen ‘The Odyssey’ on 70mm film at the Heights Theater
With “The Odyssey” driving interest in movie theater formats, are old-school film screenings set for a revival?
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
While The Odyssey is driving a bunch of conversations about film formats, I profiled a projectionist at the Heights Theater, which is hoping to grow interest in 35mm and 70mm screenings. It's a nice Sunday read!
startribune.com
At the Heights Theater, a projectionist takes his own odyssey
With “The Odyssey” driving interest in movie theater formats, are old-school film screenings set for a revival?
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
A Star Tribune spokesman on Wednesday confirmed the company reached a deal with Legacy Investing, the firm that transformed part of downtown’s Sleep Number Building into a data center for artificial intelligence and cloud computing:
startribune.com
Data center developer signs deal to buy Minnesota Star Tribune’s shuttered North Loop printing plant
The 13-acre property is one of downtown Minneapolis’ last large industrial sites.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
People named Ryan, Rian or Rhyan — but definitely not Brian or Bryan — have descended on Minnesota.
startribune.com
Look out Minnesota, the Ryans are here
An estimated 2,000 people with the name Ryan gathered at the Mall of America on Friday to celebrate their Ryanness.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
It is really cool when a movie theatre (re)opens!!
startribune.com
Maplewood movie theater to reopen, playing second-run and retro films
The Plaza, which first opened in 1967, was one of thousands of theaters across the country to close during the pandemic.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Twin Cities police departments said they did not share the data with federal agencies. Records obtained by the Star Tribune show federal agencies had a means of accessing that data anyway:
startribune.com
Police searched Twin Cities license plate cameras for immigration enforcement during ICE surge
Federal agencies were able to access the typically confidential data through partnerships with law enforcement around the country.
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Dan Shafer @danshafer.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
We thought we were going to lose the team and then a few years later we had a championship parade. That’s how big the Giannis Era was in Milwaukee. That’s how much it meant.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
I will always love him
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Star Tribune Guild @startribuneguild.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Editors, fact-checkers, designers and news assistants at the Minnesota Star Tribune are losing their jobs today. Anything you can donate to help our laid-off journalists is greatly appreciated. Can’t donate? Share this post to boost our efforts.
workingpartnerships.betterworld.org
Support laid off Star Tribune workers! | Working Partnerships
Sign in to manage your activity, preferences, & tools.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Everyone’s bringing their toys outside in Minneapolis today — bicycles motorcycles sports cars and art
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Minneapolis leaders say Operation Metro Surge did over $700 million in damage, from an estimate of $203 million made in February:
startribune.com
Minneapolis leaders say Operation Metro Surge did over $700 million in damage
Minneapolis city officials announced details of the new economic impact estimates Wednesday.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Impacts from Operation Metro Surge, high fuel prices and federal cuts to food assistance are piling on each other right now (gift link):
startribune.com
Operation Metro Surge has receded, but food shelf demand is still setting records
The state is on track to set a fifth consecutive record for annual visits to food shelves.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Biked around the St Croix today
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
I've seen a lot of local officials not get along over the years here and elsewhere, but never heard of anything like this:
startribune.com
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and the City Council have entered couples counseling
The city has hired a consultant for up to $1.4 million to, among other things, help the leaders get along. They met privately last week and set ground rules.
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Star Tribune Guild @startribuneguild.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Statement from the Star Tribune Guild in response to management’s plans to lay off 15% of staff, including union members in the newsroom:
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · 03/06/2026
The Minnesota Star Tribune will cut its workforce by 15% through buyouts and layoffs, executives said Tuesday evening, just a month after the newspaper won a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the Annunciation school and church shooting.
startribune.com
Minnesota Star Tribune cuts jobs and pursues nonprofit ownership structure
The decision to cut 65 jobs underscores the news industry’s ongoing challenges.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
The motion passed on a voice vote after Nadeau asked the crowd if they “would like to have a short 30-seconds stand in silence for Derek Chauvin.”
startribune.com
Moment of silence for Chauvin at GOP state convention sparks blowback
The brief moment of silent prayer for the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of second-degree murder in George Floyd’s killing was not planned by party leaders.
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 21/05/2026
NESTERAK: President Trump has granted clemency to numerous individuals who have stolen hundreds of millions in Medicaid funds. Can we expect any of these folks to be shown the same mercy? McDONALD: I'll take a different question
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
inject this straight into my veins please
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Eviction Lab @evictionlab.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
“The younger ones, it’s a little bit harder to explain and for them to grasp the difficulty of the situation. We feel really bad, really sad.” Via: @startribune.com
startribune.com
Eviction filings were down during ICE surge. Now they’re ahead of 2025’s record pace.
Housing advocates say rental assistance from the public has dried up as immigrant families still face displacement after Operation Metro Surge.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
For a second time, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has vetoed a measure that would temporarily give tenants more time to catch up on rent payments in the wake of Operation Metro Surge:
startribune.com
Frey again vetoes measure giving tenants more time to pay rent after Metro Surge
The mayor of Minneapolis said more time won’t improve outcomes. The council president said residents “deserve solutions, not vetoes.”
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Housing advocates say rental assistance from the public has dried up as immigrant families still face displacement after Operation Metro Surge. Gift link:
startribune.com
Eviction filings were down during ICE surge. Now they’re ahead of 2025’s record pace.
Housing advocates say rental assistance from the public has dried up as immigrant families still face displacement after Operation Metro Surge.
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Reposted by elliot hughes
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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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
my favorite thing about film fests and seeing things before they’re in wide release is you can easily find who was in your screening by looking at the movie’s most recent letterboxd reviews 👀
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
ICE agent charged with two felonies for pointing his gun at motorists during Operation Metro Surge:
startribune.com
ICE agent charged with two felonies for pointing his gun at motorists during Operation Metro Surge
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said a nationwide warrant has been issued in the first criminal charges against an ICE agent for on-duty actions during the surge.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Long faces quickly filled the room in the Northeast Recreation Center on Thursday, April 9, when city staff debuted the new designs to artists and property owners in and around Quincy Street:
startribune.com
Anxiety, uncertainty as Minneapolis presents yet another design for artsy Quincy Street
Artists say the area “has some magic in it” and doesn’t need a splashy reconstruction.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Fans just trying to stay warm, all the heating lamps are out. Windy, rainy and 38 degrees right now
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
There’s a power outage at Target Field, about an hour before first pitch of the home opener. Screens are black, no music playing and concessions can’t ring anybody up
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
There's something for everyone!
startribune.com
Minneapolis’ SexWorld is long gone, but you can own a piece of it from this online auction
The legendary North Loop store, which closed last summer after 32 years in business, has listed hundreds of items — some cheeky and unique, some mundane.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Garrett C. Willis, 28, and James R. Willis, 54, both of Ardmore, Okla., were charged Tuesday with two felony counts each of threats of violence:
startribune.com
Bounty hunters seen in viral videos brandishing weapons in Minneapolis charged with felonies
The two were filmed pointing weapons at protestors and firing less-lethal munitions during two incidents in Minneapolis.
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Josie Albertson-Grove @josieagrove.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
I cover the St. Paul council and the difference in debates is striking. St. Paul had some tense moments on this, but a lot of public affirmations that CMs who disagreed had the same values. And in the end, two CMs who supported another version of this policy voted with the majority for a 7-0.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday vetoed a plan to give residents more time to pay their rent in the wake of the 12-week federal immigration surge that left many people scrambling to pay their bills:
startribune.com
Mayor Frey vetoes eviction pause; Senate considers $40 million to help renters after ICE surge
City and state officials are trying to stave off a feared wave of evictions following the federal immigration surge in Minnesota.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Gift link: Two recent reports estimate renters owe tens of millions of dollars in additional rent debt after the federal deportation operation drove many families into hiding.
startribune.com
As another rent payment nears, housing advocates warn of ‘huge emergency’ over evictions
Two recent reports estimate tens of millions of dollars in additional rent debt in Minnesota is attributable to Operation Metro Surge.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
It really stands out to me that after a Trump-appointed judge castigated DHS for "threadbare declarations" that offered no evidence or examples, DHS couldn't think of anything new to say to the press and just recycled a previous statement after this decision.
startribune.com
Judge: Government flouted constitutional rights of Whipple detainees
A federal judge appointed by President Donald Trump said the government “failed to plan for the constitutional rights of its civil detainees.”
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · 11/02/2026
Defense attorneys and former federal prosecutors say the U.S. Department of Justice’s public rhetoric about “Minnesota rioters” isn’t matching the evidence.
startribune.com
After assault allegations, DOJ walks back charges against ICE protesters
Defense attorneys and former federal prosecutors say the U.S. Department of Justice’s public rhetoric about “Minnesota rioters” isn’t matching the evidence.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Updates on Operation Metro Surge still constantly streaming into @startribune.com’s live blog: www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Sigüenza, who has been outspoken about his arrest by federal agents in January, said deputies behaved similarly Saturday. “They’re wearing masks and sunglasses and tactical gear. This behavior from the sheriff’s department, it was eerily similar to what I’ve seen from ICE agents firsthand.”
startribune.com
Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office opens investigation into violent arrests outside Whipple Building
Videos from protesters show deputies rush against two protesters, pin them against a barricade and wrestle them to the ground.
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · 29/01/2026
We hope to publish these firsthand accounts in the opinion pages of the Minnesota Star Tribune and through social media in the coming days and weeks.
bit.ly
Kumar: Have you been stopped or detained by ICE? Share your story with us.
We hope to publish these firsthand accounts in the opinion pages of the Minnesota Star Tribune and through social media in the coming days and weeks.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
After being sprayed, Ilhan Omar went back to the podium and said, "Here’s the reality that people like this ugly man don’t understand: We are Minnesota strong, and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us."
startribune.com
Rep. Ilhan Omar sprayed with unknown substance at town hall meeting
Omar’s office later said she was safe, and a man is in police custody.
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Reposted by elliot hughes
Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · 27/01/2026
Protesters gathered outside the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Maple Grove to make noise Monday night. Organizers believed it is the hotel where order Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino is staying. Video: Jeff Wheeler and Elliot Hughes/The Minnesota Star Tribune.
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Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · 27/01/2026
A federal judge has taken an "extraordinary step" and ordered the head of ICE to appear in court later this week. At issue is alleged violations of court orders related to immigration cases, including not releasing detainees despite a judge's ruling.
bit.ly
Live: Appeals court decides not to restrict agents' tactics, saying earlier injunction was too vague
The injunction will remain blocked while the case is pending in court. U.S. Circuit Judge Raymond Gruender dissented in part.
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elliot hughes @elliotshughes.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
“Even the worst-trained police officers in this country aren’t doing stuff like this now... And I don’t say that lightly," said Lauren Bonds, of the National Police Accountability Project.
startribune.com
Investigation of Alex Pretti shooting would rely on evidence beyond videos, experts say
Video footage offers a limited view and a conclusion will require a thorough, credible investigation, use-of-force experts said.
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