Minnesota Independent

Minnesota Independent, parent nonprofit join alternative press group AAN

By Mikhail Zinshteyn | 08.15.11 | 9:30 am

The Minnesota Independent’s parent nonprofit, the American Independent News Network, was accepted into the Association of Alternative Newsmedia as the group’s first web-only news outlet following a vote of approval during its annual membership meeting held in New Orleans last month. ANN, formerly the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, includes papers like City Pages and the Village Voice among its members.

Minnesota Independent makes Washington Post’s best political blogs list

By Jon Collins | 08.03.11 | 11:00 am

The Minnesota Independent and seven other local sites were included in The Fix’s annual list of best political blogs.

The Minnesota State Capitol. Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent

MnIndy’s Sam Lane appears on Your Call radio show in San Francisco

By Staff Report | 07.12.11 | 7:54 am

Minnesota Independent reporter Sam Lane recently appeared on Your Call radio in San Francisco. Aired on KALW Public Radio in San Francisco, Your Call hosts a weekly Media Roundtable during which journalists comment on and discuss the coverage of some of the world’s biggest stories. Lane discussed the government shutdown as well as the controversy surrounding Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World.

Video: MnIndy’s Andy Birkey on the latest shutdown news

By Paul Schmelzer | 07.07.11 | 1:27 pm

With a partisan stalemate in St. Paul over the lack of agreement over a state budget, the Minnesota government remains closed, except for essential services. Minnesota Independent Senior Reporter Andy Birkey discussed the latest developments Wednesday with Free…

A sign inside the Minnesota Capitol noting the government shutdown. Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent

MnIndy’s Sam Lane talks shutdown with Thom Hartmann

By Paul Schmelzer | 07.01.11 | 4:17 pm

The Minnesota Independent’s Sam Lane discussed the budget impasse and government shutdown with nationally syndicated radio host Thom Hartmann on Friday. Lane discussed recent stories, including last night’s shutdown and the revelation that Republicans sought a bargain with Gov. Mark Dayton that would’ve put controversial social issues like a ban on funding for some forms of stem cell research and abortion limits back on the table.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Photo: IowaPolitics.com, Flickr

Video: MnIndy’s Andy Birkey discusses Pawlenty’s Morgan Stanley ties with Free Speech TV

By Paul Schmelzer | 06.10.11 | 4:23 pm

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s ties to Morgan Stanley and some of its top executives was the topic of a Thursday Free Speech TV conversation featuring Minnesota Independent senior reporter Andy Birkey.

Minnesota Independent wins three Society of Professional Journalists awards

By Paul Schmelzer | 06.08.11 | 11:43 am

At Tuesday night’s annual Society of Professional Journalists awards banquet, the Minnesota Independent was honored with three Page One Awards, including first place prize for “Best Independent News Blog.”

Rachel Maddow takes on Michele Bachmann, Bradlee Dean

By Andy Birkey | 05.12.11 | 11:50 am

MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow made note of Rep. Michele Bachmann’s upcoming September appearance at the Freedom Jamboree, a tea party presidential nominating conference that will also feature Bradlee Dean of the religious group You Can Run But You Cannot Hide. Dean repeatedly has called for the incarceration of gays and lesbians, while Bachmann has frequently helped the group with fundraising.

Andy Birkey, bull. Photo: Barbra Peterson

Calling bull: Calf in Sandstone named after MnIndy’s Andy Birkey

By Paul Schmelzer | 03.25.11 | 10:11 am

While journalistic accolades can come in many forms — awards, peer recognition, a paycheck — here’s a new one to us: A bull calf born during Tuesday’s snowstorm was named after Minnesota Independent Senior Reporter Andy Birkey. According to rancher Barbra Peterson, who has a 92-head herd in Sandstone, Birkey’s reporting on reproductive health and social justice issues prompted the move. But his cattle counterpart isn’t alone: Peterson’s other cows are named after progressives too, including the new calf’s mom, Barbara Jordan.

Watchdog group sends letter to Senate leaders over Campbell prayer

By Andy Birkey | 03.21.11 | 4:19 pm

The watchdog group Americans United for the Separation of Church and State sent a letter to Minnesota Senate leadership Monday warning the chamber that Pastor Dennis Campbell’s prayer last week was unconstitutional. Addressed to Senate President Michelle Fischbach, Majority Leader Amy Koch and Minority Leader Tom Bakk, the letter also urged the leaders to either refrain from allowing prayers in the Senate or to ensure that if it continues to do so it does in a way that respects other traditions.