Walker Orenstein
Reporter
Energy, natural resources and sustainabilityWalker Orenstein covers energy, natural resources and sustainability for the Star Tribune. Orenstein previously covered state government and politics with a focus on greater Minnesota and environmental issues for MinnPost, and he reported on the Legislature in Washington state for The News Tribune of Tacoma. He was raised in St. Paul and attended the University of Washington in Seattle. In his spare time, Orenstein enjoys playing hockey, hiking and camping..
Latest from Walker Orenstein
Editor's Pick
Amid immigration crackdown, Lisa Demuth surges in GOP race for governor by focusing on fraud
Demuth has avoided wading into Trump’s immigration enforcement surge in the state as she tries to win over activists in her bid for the party’s nomination.
February 6, 2026
Lisa Demuth wins GOP straw poll for governor, Qualls and Lindell follow behind
The straw poll came as the GOP is dealing with political fallout from President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement surge.
February 5, 2026
Editor's Pick
Why Democrats see Amy Klobuchar as such a formidable candidate for governor
The longtime senator has historically broad appeal. Even with growing polarization, she outperforms other Democrats.
January 30, 2026
A chaotic confrontation, a gun and 10 shots: A frame-by-frame analysis of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti
The Minnesota Star Tribune analyzed how another encounter with federal agents turned deadly.
January 28, 2026
Republicans in Minnesota were bullish about their election chances. Then ICE arrived.
Just a few weeks ago, the GOP was riding a wave of momentum with fraud dominating the state’s political dialogue. Now the party is on its heels.
January 27, 2026
‘Border czar’ Tom Homan’s arrival in Minnesota signals shift by Trump administration
Homan’s assignment comes amid reports that some federal immigration agents will soon be pulled out of Minnesota.
January 27, 2026
Walz and Trump speak by phone as White House appears to soften tone on ICE crackdown
Both parties described the call as productive. The governor’s office said Walz asked for “impartial investigations” into the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
January 26, 2026
Some Republicans break from Trump on immigration surge after latest shooting
While only a handful, some suburban Republicans in the state Legislature say ICE’s Minnesota operation should be pulled back.
January 25, 2026
Video shows agent disarming Pretti right before shots fired
Some details of the federal government’s account of the shooting aren’t supported by footage captured by bystanders.
January 24, 2026
Decrying ‘false narrative,’ ICE leaders aim to shift perspective of immigration crackdown in Minneapolis
The Trump administration says its actions are justified as a new polling finds most Americans say ICE tactics have gone too far.
January 23, 2026
Vance blames ‘failure of cooperation’ for chaos in Minneapolis
The vice president met privately with ICE agents and business leaders before telling reporters he hoped to “take down the temperature a little bit.”
January 22, 2026
Former broadcaster Michele Tafoya launches Senate bid in Minnesota
She is running as a Republican and looks to win the seat held by Democrat Tina Smith, who is not seeking re-election.
January 21, 2026
