Message from our publisher: Defend our free press from legal attacks

A Minnesota Independent reporter and our parent company, the American Independent News Network, are fighting off a lawsuit from controversial preacher Bradlee Dean.

Welcome to the redesigned Minnesota Independent

Share your thoughts and suggestions about our new look on this page.

We’re hiring!

The Minnesota Independent is hiring a reporter/blogger to cover politics in Minnesota at the state, county and local levels.
We’re looking for a passionate reporter who can combine the best of traditional journalism with the new paradigms of the…

MnIndy editor in pecha-kucha panel tonight: ‘What is news now?’

“What is news now?” The topic, complicated enough on its own, is one Minnesota Independent editor Paul Schmelzer will be addressing tonight at 7 p.m. at the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis — but with some limitations.…

MnIndy’s Schmelzer to moderate ‘Designing Obama’ discussion

For decades, political campaign art had more in common with Menard’s than Milton Glaser: the graphic designer — whose job was to sell candidates through an expected visual language of flag-toned stars and/or bars — took the back seat, while the well-funded media buyer got the front. Then came Barack Obama. His campaign, lead by design director Scott Thomas, enlisted designer Sol Sender to both create a memorable identity and advance the lessons of Howard Dean’s surprise “netroots” surge of 2004. On May 12, Thomas and Sender will discuss the development of the Obama campaign in a panel called, “Designing Obama” — and Minnesota Independent editor Paul Schmelzer will be moderating the evening.

Minnesota Independent wins eight Society of Professional Journalists Page One awards

The Minnesota Independent will be taking home eight 2009 Society of Professional Journalists Page One Awards, including one first place, according to emails sent by the state chapter of the national organization

MnIndy’s Schmelzer picks black-ops chronicler as artist of the year

Naturally, Shepard Fairey, who created the ubiquitous poster of Barack Obama that eventually made the cover of TIME (in revised form), was dubbed artist of the year by one writer at City Pages.…

MnIndy’s Schmelzer to speak at Media Alliance lunch

Paul Schmelzer, managing editor of the Minnesota Independent, is the guest speaker at October’s Twin Cities Media Alliance Brown Bag Lunch to be held Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the East Lake Library in Minneapolis. Winner…

AP: Michigan GOP to sue Michigan Messenger over foreclosed voter story

The Associated Press is reporting that James Carabelli, the chair of the Macomb County Republican party, is suing the Michigan Messenger and its parent organization, the non-profit Center for Independent Media, over the Messenger’s report last…

Secrets of the American Future Fund

Iowa-based conservative advocacy group includes masterminds of Swift Boat and Willie Horton ads

By Jason Hancock, Iowa Independent

A network of Iowa Republicans is playing a leading role in a secretive group advocating nationally on behalf of “conservative and free market ideals” in congressional races around the country. Among the group’s leaders are two media consultants who played key roles in the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads in 2004 and the Willie Horton ad in 1988, both of which helped defeat Democratic presidential candidates.