The Minnesota Independent

Uptake - Latest Stories

Horner: Emmer’s nullify proposal meant to ‘destroy government’

By Andy Birkey | 06.24.10 | 6:12 am

Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Tom Horner took issue with a proposal by Republican Tom Emmer that would allow Minnesota to opt out of federal legislation that its leaders don’t like. Horner said the idea would be disastrous for Minnesota businesses…

Live video: Sen. Franken sworn in

By Paul Schmelzer | 07.07.09 | 10:21 am

franken-hedEight months after election day, Al Franken will be sworn in today as Minnesota’s second U.S. senator. The UpTake brings the video of the 11:15 ceremony — in which Franken will be sworn in on

Live video: Al Franken in D.C.

By Paul Schmelzer | 07.06.09 | 11:51 am

The UpTake‘s Noah Kunin is tracking Sen.-elect Al Franken’s arrival in Washington, D.C., and — in advance of tomorrow’s swearing-in — offers live video of Franken’s 12 noon CT press conference:

Video: Minnesota’s five-month Senate election slog compressed into 16 minutes

By Chris Steller | 04.01.09 | 12:50 pm

Here’s a 16-minute video recap of Minnesota’s five-month slog (so far) to elect a new U.S. senator. It’s the work of those stalwart Franken-Coleman multimedia chroniclers at The UpTake.

GOP former guv joins Mondale in calling for Coleman to concede

By Paul Schmelzer | 01.06.09 | 12:26 pm

With Norm Coleman set to address the media at 3 p.m. CST, speculation abounds about whether the now-former senator will file a lawsuit to prevent certification of a win by Al Franken or, less likely, concede. One

MnIndy video: Coleman’s staff ejects reporter from press conference

By Chris Steller | 11.19.08 | 5:07 pm

U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman’s campaign staff ejected a Minnesota Independent reporter from a press conference at campaign headquarters Wednesday afternoon. The MnIndy reporter made it as far as the inside of a small press conference room at a drab office park in St. Paul when a staffer asked who he represented and on that basis said the reporter would have to leave. In response to protests that MnIndy is a news outlet like others in the room, the staffer replied, “Right, and it’s funded by George Soros,” and escorted the reporter out. It’s the fourth time the senator’s campaign has denied access to local independent media at a media availability. Video (think “Blair Witch Project,” set in a boring office interior) after the jump. Spoiler alert: Norm’s door is extremely squeaky.

Media Monitor: RNC tweets, Secret Service tip-offs and an ode to ‘Ameirca’!

By Paul Schmelzer | 09.10.08 | 9:55 am

Today’s media round-up: The Secret Service warned mainstream media sources about alleged threats against them by RNC protesters (this independent media site didn’t get such tips). A look at how Twitter served as the “police scanner of the 21st century newsroom.” And more.

The Uptake’s update

By Tom Elko | 06.06.08 | 12:30 pm

Groundbreaking citizen-based media group The UpTake announced the relaunch of its website today. The UpTake focuses on training and assisting citizen journalists in reporting the political news of the day and becoming an engaged part…

Live from Iowa, It’s The UpTake

By Paul Schmelzer | 01.02.08 | 8:40 am

Four Minneapolis-based citizen videobloggers from The UpTake are heading to Iowa today to join three reporters already on the ground to cover the presidential caucuses. They’ve got an ambitious news plan — from reporting…

Journalism’s Bloodiest War

By Paul Schmelzer | 11.19.07 | 3:18 pm

Deadliest war ever: For journalists, Iraq has been the bloodiest conflict in history, with three times as many reporters killed than during both World Wars combined. Whereas two died in WWI, 68 in WWII, 77…