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Ryan Faircloth

Politics and government reporter
Higher Education
Faircloth previously covered higher education and breaking news, contributing to the Star Tribune’s Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the police killing of George Floyd. A 2018 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Faircloth started his career covering state politics for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and was named Minnesota’s Young Journalist of the Year by the state Society of Professional Journalists for his reporting at the Capitol. In his spare time, he enjoys practicing boxing and mixed martial arts – sports he once competed in – and searching the Twin Cities for barbecue and tacos that are even half as good as those he had growing up in Houston.

Latest from Ryan Faircloth

Elections

DFL residency case has thrown Minnesota legislative session into doubt. Could it have been avoided?

The DFL’s decision to back Curtis Johnson for a suburban House seat has haunted the party since a judge ruled Johnson didn’t live in the district, turning a tie into a 67-66 advantage for Republicans.
January 25, 2025
Politics

Minn. House Republicans propose fraud prevention measures

GOP legislators want to create new Office of Inspector General to investigate fraud, require state employees to report suspected fraudulent activity.
January 21, 2025
Politics

Minnesota Democrats sue House Republicans over ‘unlawful’ session

Republicans maintain that their 67-66 edge in the House gives them authority to elect Lisa Demuth as House speaker.
January 16, 2025
Politics

5 things to know about the chaotic start to Minnesota’s 2025 legislative session

Republicans moved ahead after Democrats boycotted the first day of business. House Democrats and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon sued Republicans in response.
January 15, 2025
Politics

Minnesota House Democrats boycott first day of session, but Republicans move forward anyway

Negotiations between House DFL and GOP leaders failed to reach a deal before the Legislature convened at noon Tuesday.
January 14, 2025
Politics

‘As bad as I’ve ever seen it’: Partisan dysfunction worsens in Minnesota Legislature

State lawmakers are poised to start their 2025 session with the sort of partisan chaos that brought their last one to a bitter end.
January 11, 2025
News & Politics

House DFL threatens to not show up for start of session, as GOP might refuse to seat DFL member

Minnesota House Democrats are threatening to not show up for the first two weeks of the legislative session, saying that would deprive Republicans of the quorum they need to elect a speaker. And Republicans are considering refusing to seat a DFLer whose election victory they’re contesting in court.
January 6, 2025
Politics

Walz creates state fraud investigation unit, proposes tougher criminal penalties

Walz signed an executive order Friday creating a new fraud investigations unit. He also proposed several legislative measures meant to crack down on fraud in state programs.
January 3, 2025
Politics

Minnesota House Democrats boycott first day of session, but Republicans move forward anyway

Negotiations between House DFL and GOP leaders failed to reach a deal before the Legislature convened at noon Tuesday.
January 14, 2025
Politics

‘As bad as I’ve ever seen it’: Partisan dysfunction worsens in Minnesota Legislature

State lawmakers are poised to start their 2025 session with the sort of partisan chaos that brought their last one to a bitter end.
January 11, 2025
News & Politics

House DFL threatens to not show up for start of session, as GOP might refuse to seat DFL member

Minnesota House Democrats are threatening to not show up for the first two weeks of the legislative session, saying that would deprive Republicans of the quorum they need to elect a speaker. And Republicans are considering refusing to seat a DFLer whose election victory they’re contesting in court.
January 6, 2025
Politics

Walz creates state fraud investigation unit, proposes tougher criminal penalties

Walz signed an executive order Friday creating a new fraud investigations unit. He also proposed several legislative measures meant to crack down on fraud in state programs.
January 3, 2025
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