Minnesota Independent

Minnesota Independent reporting on pulpit politicking creates media ripple

By Paul Schmelzer | 10.21.10 | 4:10 pm

The Minnesota Independent’s Andy Birkey was the first reporter in the state to cover plans by pastors Brad Brandon in Hastings and Greg Stone in St. Peter to endorse political candidates from the pulpit in violation of laws governing tax-exempt organizations. Since he published that report on Friday morning, plus two follow-ups this week, other media — including the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, City Pages and WCCO — have been following up on the Minnesota Independent’s original reporting. None of these outlets mentioned Birkey’s reporting, but one key group did: Americans United for Separation of Church and State cited his work multiple times in its letter of complaint to the Internal Revenue Service over Pastor Brandon’s endorsement.

SPLC report focuses on Bradlee Dean, Tom Emmer and Michele Bachmann

By Andy Birkey | 08.30.10 | 8:17 am

In the fall edition of its Intelligence Report, the Southern Poverty Law Center profiles Bradlee Dean of You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International ministries and his connection to Minnesota Republicans Tom Emmer and Rep. Michele…

As state party protests, SD56 GOP webmaster earns ‘Worst Person in the World’ designation

By Paul Schmelzer | 08.20.10 | 6:00 am

As Randy Brown, the webmaster who posted a sexist video on the GOP’s District 56 website, is dubbed “Worst Person in the World” by MSNBC host Keith Olbermann, the Republican Party of Minnesota demands changes to reports on the incident by the Minnesota Independent, Gawker and Mothers Jones — changes that put distance between the state GOP and the local SD 56 party unit.

MSNBC’s Maddow looks into Emmer’s affiliation with anti-gay ministry

By Paul Schmelzer | 08.10.10 | 8:38 am

MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow looked at Minnesota’s gubernatorial primary matchups last night, giving special emphasis to GOP-endorsed candidate Tom Emmer and his support for the Christian ministry You Can Run But You Cannot Hide. The story should be familiar to…

Citing MnIndy, MSNBC looks into Target’s MN Forward gift

By Paul Schmelzer | 08.03.10 | 12:37 pm

The Minnesota Independent got props in a Keith Olbermann segment that posed a good question: Will Target’s MN Forward donation scare other companies from donating to political campaigns? Olbermann interviewed TPM’s Christina Bellantoni, who says…

Birkey to discuss You Can Run on Michigan radio

By Paul Schmelzer | 06.10.10 | 11:27 am

Minnesota Independent reporter Andy Birkey will discuss his award-winning coverage of the Christian ministry/hard-rock band You Can Run But You Cannot Hide Thursday evening on “Declaring Independence,” the Grand Rapids, Mich., radio show hosted by Michigan…

Minnesota Independent wins journalism prizes for coverage of Christian ministry, Obama rally

By Paul Schmelzer | 05.24.10 | 8:55 am

The Minnesota Independent took home three prizes — including two first place awards — at the Minnesota Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalist’s Page One Awards banquet. The Friday night dinner, featuring a

MnIndy’s Birkey discusses Bachmann’s tax-subsidized family business on DC radio

By Paul Schmelzer | 05.20.10 | 11:52 am

The Minnesota Independent’s story about nearly $30,000 in state funds going to the Christian mental health clinic run by Rep. Michele Bachmann’s husband is drawing national interest. Yesterday, reporter Andy Birkey discussed his reporting with Gloria Minott,…

Minnesota Independent wins three SPJ awards

By Paul Schmelzer | 05.03.10 | 5:00 am

The Minnesota Independent will take home three Page One Awards from the Minnesota Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists at this year’s awards banquet. Whether the site won first-, second- or third-place prizes won’t be…

MnIndy’s Demko, Steller to discuss Minneapolis races on KFAI today

By Paul Schmelzer | 10.28.09 | 10:41 am

City elections tend not to draw much attention from the mainstream media, but there’s plenty to talk about in advance of Minneapolis’ election day on Tuesday: the inaugural use of ranked-choice voting, a mayoral race that’s been…