Jennifer Brooks
Columnist
News & PoliticsPreviously as a Star Tribune reporter, Brooks covered the State Capitol and the Minnesota congressional delegation in Washington.
Latest from Jennifer Brooks
Brooks: Remembering Pope Francis the Great, who spent his last breath in service to others
Waking to the loss of the first pope from the global south was the last thing the world needed.
April 21, 2025
Brooks: Let’s dye potatoes for Easter instead of our precious, precious eggs
Embrace the frugal charm of the Easter potato.
April 16, 2025
Brooks: Make America Great Again, meet ‘beggar thy neighbor’
Nationwide protests broke out over the weekend in response to President Trump’s chaotic second term.
April 7, 2025
Brooks: St. Paul’s Lowertown has everything — except the foot traffic its businesses rely on
So now it waits to see if a back-to-the office order will help it survive the pain from the pandemic, unrest and endless construction.
April 5, 2025
Brooks: Taking down Tesla
Every weekend, more Minnesotans show up at Tesla showrooms to stick it to Elon Musk.
March 29, 2025
Brooks: Nothing makes a downtown more vibrant than forcing people to be there
Gov. Tim Walz ordered state workers back to the office in downtown St. Paul. But what’s left in Minnesota’s capital city?
March 26, 2025
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Brooks: Retired Minnesota teacher puts principles before pension to protest war in Gaza
Pensioners want Minnesota investments to reflect Minnesota’s values.
March 21, 2025
Brooks: Don’t you forget about the 40th anniversary of ‘The Breakfast Club’
Celebrate detention day March 24 with Generation X. Or don’t. Whatever.
March 20, 2025
Brooks: Homeless and elderly a horrible mix, with signs it’s increasing in Minnesota
Catholic Charities hopes the Legislature will keep funding outreach for the fastest-growing homeless population in the state — the frail, the sick and the elderly.
March 19, 2025
Brooks: Bill at Minnesota Legislature asks to give peas a chance
Like most proposed state symbols, this one is probably headed for a Jolly Green Giant defeat.
March 17, 2025
Brooks: Sew long, Joann. Minnesota’s fabric stores step up to serve crafting community.
Minnesota’s local fabric shops are stepping up to fill the gap as the national sewing retailer goes out of business. But no one is celebrating.
March 14, 2025
Brooks: At last, English is the official language of the United States of Some Italian Guy’s First Name
President Trump’s executive order “establishing English as the official language” disregards the many languages that inform the American vernacular.
March 6, 2025
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