Ryan Faircloth
Politics and government reporter
Higher EducationFaircloth 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
Politics
Minnesota lawmakers want to crack down on fraud in state programs: ‘They’re stealing from us’
Fraud prevention is poised to be a big focus for legislators when they return to the Capitol on Jan. 14.
December 20, 2024
Politics
Walz-Flanagan partnership on ice since governor’s failed vice presidential bid
Multiple sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Walz team was not pleased with steps Flanagan had taken to assume the governorship.
December 18, 2024
Cannabis
Walz weighs in on canceled Minnesota cannabis license lottery: Litigation ‘happens in every state’
The governor said it may be 2027 or 2028 by the time the market catches up to demand.
December 13, 2024
Politics
Gov. Tim Walz wants to remain a force in politics, at state and national levels
Minnesota’s DFL governor is still trying to figure out how Democrats lost their message to the working class, along with the presidential election.
December 13, 2024
News & Politics
Gov. Tim Walz calls for tougher Medicaid fraud penalties as FBI investigates autism centers
“They’re stealing from us … You’ve got to increase the penalty on these crimes. These are crimes against children, in my opinion,” Walz said.
December 12, 2024
Cannabis
Minnesota abandons early cannabis lottery, retail pot sales likely to start later than expected
“This was certainly not an outcome that we were hoping would materialize, and we know that today’s path forward does not provide a perfect solution,” interim OCM director Charlene Briner said Wednesday.
December 11, 2024
Politics
Why Minnesota is projected to face a future budget deficit, and what lawmakers might do about it
Minnesota had a record surplus two years ago. Now, it’s projecting a deficit on the horizon. How did the state get here?
December 7, 2024
Politics
Modest budget surplus overshadowed as Minnesota projects $5 billion deficit down the line
“We have time to address this structurally without negatively impacting the services that we’re providing to people, but it’s going to take some hard decisions,” Gov. Tim Walz said.
December 4, 2024
News & Politics
Gov. Tim Walz calls for tougher Medicaid fraud penalties as FBI investigates autism centers
“They’re stealing from us … You’ve got to increase the penalty on these crimes. These are crimes against children, in my opinion,” Walz said.
December 12, 2024
Cannabis
Minnesota abandons early cannabis lottery, retail pot sales likely to start later than expected
“This was certainly not an outcome that we were hoping would materialize, and we know that today’s path forward does not provide a perfect solution,” interim OCM director Charlene Briner said Wednesday.
December 11, 2024
Politics
Why Minnesota is projected to face a future budget deficit, and what lawmakers might do about it
Minnesota had a record surplus two years ago. Now, it’s projecting a deficit on the horizon. How did the state get here?
December 7, 2024
Politics
Modest budget surplus overshadowed as Minnesota projects $5 billion deficit down the line
“We have time to address this structurally without negatively impacting the services that we’re providing to people, but it’s going to take some hard decisions,” Gov. Tim Walz said.
December 4, 2024