elliot hughes
@elliotshughes.bsky.social
General assignment reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune ✊🏼📰
elliot.hughes@startribune.com
Signal: elliothughes.05
elliot.hughes@startribune.com
Signal: elliothughes.05
Reposted by elliot hughes
A protester appears to throw an object at an unmarked vehicle leaving the Bro-Tex facility in St. Paul, shattering the back window of the SUV.
Protesters confronted agents wearing FBI, DEA and ICE vests outside the facility.
Video by reporter Louis Krauss.
Protesters confronted agents wearing FBI, DEA and ICE vests outside the facility.
Video by reporter Louis Krauss.
November 18, 2025 at 5:50 PM
A protester appears to throw an object at an unmarked vehicle leaving the Bro-Tex facility in St. Paul, shattering the back window of the SUV.
Protesters confronted agents wearing FBI, DEA and ICE vests outside the facility.
Video by reporter Louis Krauss.
Protesters confronted agents wearing FBI, DEA and ICE vests outside the facility.
Video by reporter Louis Krauss.
Reposted by elliot hughes
Federal agents wearing tactical gear used chemical irritants on protesters at the Bro-Tex facility in St. Paul.
Video by reporter Louis Krauss, who is on the scene.
Video by reporter Louis Krauss, who is on the scene.
November 18, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Federal agents wearing tactical gear used chemical irritants on protesters at the Bro-Tex facility in St. Paul.
Video by reporter Louis Krauss, who is on the scene.
Video by reporter Louis Krauss, who is on the scene.
Reposted by elliot hughes
Hundreds of people have seen their immigration case dismissed, only to be arrested outside a Fort Snelling courtroom and placed in expedited removal.
Judges quick to end immigrants’ asylum cases as ICE agents wait outside courtroom
Hundreds of people have seen their immigration case dismissed, only to be arrested outside a Fort Snelling courtroom and placed in expedited removal.
bit.ly
November 17, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Hundreds of people have seen their immigration case dismissed, only to be arrested outside a Fort Snelling courtroom and placed in expedited removal.
Gift link: The federal gvt is moving people out of immigration courtrooms and into expedited removal, where they can be summarily deported within days or weeks
In Fort Snelling this year, more than 225 people have watched their immigration case dismissed, only to be arrested by ICE afterwards:
In Fort Snelling this year, more than 225 people have watched their immigration case dismissed, only to be arrested by ICE afterwards:
www.startribune.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Gift link: The federal gvt is moving people out of immigration courtrooms and into expedited removal, where they can be summarily deported within days or weeks
In Fort Snelling this year, more than 225 people have watched their immigration case dismissed, only to be arrested by ICE afterwards:
In Fort Snelling this year, more than 225 people have watched their immigration case dismissed, only to be arrested by ICE afterwards:
Minnesota schools reporting sharp increase in number of guns confiscated from students:
Minnesota schools reporting sharp increase in number of guns confiscated from students
Recent data shows a large increase in handguns in schools since 2021. Schools are turning to new technology and prevention strategies.
www.startribune.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Minnesota schools reporting sharp increase in number of guns confiscated from students:
Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families told counties and Native American tribes not to approve new SNAP applications after Wednesday. And the state was preparing to tell recipients on Oct. 21 that benefits would not be issued for November, barring any changes.
Food assistance is safe through October, but it may be at risk if the shutdown continues
About 40 million people could see food assistance disappear next month if the federal government shutdown continues. The U.S.
apnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families told counties and Native American tribes not to approve new SNAP applications after Wednesday. And the state was preparing to tell recipients on Oct. 21 that benefits would not be issued for November, barring any changes.
“The contortions they appear to be prepared to go through to circumvent the spirit of the (law’s) presumption of openness are astounding,” Jane Kirtley, professor of law and media ethics at the University of Minnesota, said.
Political group accuses Frey of improperly deleting texts. Some advocates and media lawyers agree.
The Minneapolis city attorney’s office says Mayor Jacob Frey is in compliance with the state transparency laws.
www.startribune.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:35 PM
“The contortions they appear to be prepared to go through to circumvent the spirit of the (law’s) presumption of openness are astounding,” Jane Kirtley, professor of law and media ethics at the University of Minnesota, said.
Public records show that the state’s red flag gun law has helped law enforcement confiscate guns from people with violent plans. Some counties, though, have rarely or never used it, raising worry about gaps in its effectiveness:
A state law has prevented school and workplace shootings, but enforcement is inconsistent
Public records show that the state’s red flag gun law has helped law enforcement confiscate guns from people with violent plans. Some counties, though, have rarely or never used it, raising worry abou...
www.startribune.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Public records show that the state’s red flag gun law has helped law enforcement confiscate guns from people with violent plans. Some counties, though, have rarely or never used it, raising worry about gaps in its effectiveness:
Reposted by elliot hughes
I interviewed Minneapolis City Council Member Katie Cashman @ward7.minneapolismn.gov, who is asking MPD to add clearance rates -- which indicate whether cases have been solved -- to the city's crime dashboard
After a violent summer in Minneapolis, a plea for transparency
Minneapolis City Council member Katie Cashman is asking for crime clearance rates to be added to the city's public website, and for the police department to release the data as soon as the end of Octo...
www.mprnews.org
September 26, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I interviewed Minneapolis City Council Member Katie Cashman @ward7.minneapolismn.gov, who is asking MPD to add clearance rates -- which indicate whether cases have been solved -- to the city's crime dashboard
Moriarty provided a report from 2017 which showed that of 20,170 Minneapolis Police Department traffic stops for moving and equipment violations, less than 0.5% led to a gun charge and 2.71% led to a drug charge.
Hennepin County will limit felony charges stemming from low-level traffic stops
County Attorney Mary Moriarty said the new policy addresses historical targeting of Black drivers.
www.startribune.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Moriarty provided a report from 2017 which showed that of 20,170 Minneapolis Police Department traffic stops for moving and equipment violations, less than 0.5% led to a gun charge and 2.71% led to a drug charge.
Here's a gift link to a story I worked on for about two months. I profiled a Honduran family in Willmar whose father has no violent criminal history, yet is facing deportation.
w/ photos from the great Elizabeth Flores, via @startribune.com
w/ photos from the great Elizabeth Flores, via @startribune.com
A Willmar family fights a father’s deportation as a daughter’s quinceañera nears
A 37-year-old man has been in immigration custody since February. He and his family fear violence in Honduras.
www.startribune.com
September 14, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Here's a gift link to a story I worked on for about two months. I profiled a Honduran family in Willmar whose father has no violent criminal history, yet is facing deportation.
w/ photos from the great Elizabeth Flores, via @startribune.com
w/ photos from the great Elizabeth Flores, via @startribune.com
Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. Mass shootings occur daily in this country.
Inside Annunciation Church, terror and heroism as an attack unfolded
“The thing that’s going to stick with me,” said Shea McAdaragh, a parent who witnessed the shooting, “was when I said you guys can get up, and I knew some kids weren’t going to get up.”
www.startribune.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. Mass shootings occur daily in this country.
But the funding that supports this work is increasingly at risk. Pandemic money is gone, and a lot of the federal resources that back housing stability programs are in question as the Trump administration slashes federal spending:
Homelessness down by a third in state’s largest county since 2020 high
Withering federal support and the sunset of pandemic-era programs has some Hennepin County officials worried about losing ground again.
www.startribune.com
August 26, 2025 at 6:19 PM
But the funding that supports this work is increasingly at risk. Pandemic money is gone, and a lot of the federal resources that back housing stability programs are in question as the Trump administration slashes federal spending:
As Minnesota's cannabis market opens up, you might be wondering, what’s safer: smoking, vaping or edibles? How long should you wait to drive a car? What does dependency look like?
A guide to consuming cannabis safely
What’s safer: smoking, vaping or edibles? How long should you wait to drive a car?
www.startribune.com
August 14, 2025 at 1:46 PM
As Minnesota's cannabis market opens up, you might be wondering, what’s safer: smoking, vaping or edibles? How long should you wait to drive a car? What does dependency look like?
Mary Moriarty will not seek a second term as Hennepin County Attorney:
Mary Moriarty will not seek a second term as Hennepin County Attorney
The surprise announcement comes as Moriarty hopes to put more attention on the reform efforts of her office than the controversies that have swirled around some of her charging decisions.
www.startribune.com
August 7, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Mary Moriarty will not seek a second term as Hennepin County Attorney:
Reposted by elliot hughes
My story on going to the Boundary Waters for the first time is up!! This is one where you won’t be afraid of looking at the comment section!! #outdoors #minnesota
www.startribune.com/what-not-to-...
www.startribune.com/what-not-to-...
Lessons from a first-timer on what not to do in the Boundary Waters
Easy routes through beautiful terrain come with one problem: Everyone is there.
www.startribune.com
August 4, 2025 at 5:37 PM
My story on going to the Boundary Waters for the first time is up!! This is one where you won’t be afraid of looking at the comment section!! #outdoors #minnesota
www.startribune.com/what-not-to-...
www.startribune.com/what-not-to-...
Nobody can agree on where Uptown starts and ends. Is there a true definition?
Nobody can agree on where Uptown starts and ends. Is there a true definition?
Various sources yield everything from maximalist expanses to tightly bound to W. Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue.
www.startribune.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Nobody can agree on where Uptown starts and ends. Is there a true definition?
Reposted by elliot hughes
Tough day in the newsroom, and for our colleagues at The Current and YourClassical.
5-8% layoffs for our company coming down the pike.
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
5-8% layoffs for our company coming down the pike.
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
MPR’s parent company announces layoffs due to state and federal funding cuts
American Public Media Group leadership announced Thursday that it will be laying off employees and making other cost reductions after state and federal funding cuts led to a $6 million budget gap.
www.mprnews.org
July 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Tough day in the newsroom, and for our colleagues at The Current and YourClassical.
5-8% layoffs for our company coming down the pike.
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
5-8% layoffs for our company coming down the pike.
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
I will say that last night I saw “Eddington” and there were audible groans in the audience when footage of Jacob Frey made a surprise cameo
Minneapolis DFL convention endorses democratic socialist Omar Fateh for mayor over Jacob Frey
Incumbent Frey’s campaign said he’ll appeal Fateh’s Saturday victory in the party’s mayoral endorsement.
www.startribune.com
July 20, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I will say that last night I saw “Eddington” and there were audible groans in the audience when footage of Jacob Frey made a surprise cameo
The suspense is whether state Sen. Omar Fateh, a democratic socialist, will win the endorsement, or whether two-term Mayor Jacob Frey will succeed in blocking Fateh, resulting in the party issuing no endorsement:
Will the Minneapolis DFL endorse a democratic socialist for mayor? It could happen Saturday.
The city’s DFL convention will pit democratic socialist state Sen. Omar Fateh against Mayor Jacob Frey.
www.startribune.com
July 17, 2025 at 6:47 PM
The suspense is whether state Sen. Omar Fateh, a democratic socialist, will win the endorsement, or whether two-term Mayor Jacob Frey will succeed in blocking Fateh, resulting in the party issuing no endorsement:
The full length of Minneapolis’ Stone Arch Bridge is set to reopen to the public Aug. 9 following more than a year of repairs:
Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis to reopen to the public Aug. 9
The bridge, which has closed in halved sections since spring 2024, will reopen with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring food trucks and other entertainment.
www.startribune.com
July 8, 2025 at 8:18 PM
The full length of Minneapolis’ Stone Arch Bridge is set to reopen to the public Aug. 9 following more than a year of repairs:
walking great distances wahoo!!!!!
Walking Minneapolis, from top to bottom
We trekked (almost) the vertical length of the city, a novel way to experience the place you live. Just be sure to pack a rain jacket.
www.startribune.com
July 3, 2025 at 6:21 PM
walking great distances wahoo!!!!!
The safety record of Amazon's Fulfillment Center in Shakopee has drawn scrutiny for years. More than a year after new statewide safety regulations have taken hold, workers still say the company is not doing enough to keep them safe:
Inside Amazon’s Shakopee warehouse, new state law puts spotlight on worker safety
The state has begun to take enforcement action against companies including Amazon that are slow to adopt the new regulations, which are meant to reduce injuries.
www.startribune.com
July 2, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The safety record of Amazon's Fulfillment Center in Shakopee has drawn scrutiny for years. More than a year after new statewide safety regulations have taken hold, workers still say the company is not doing enough to keep them safe:
SexWorld, Minneapolis’ adult entertainment store that was once three stories tall, featured a live peepshow and became a rite of passage in the Twin Cities, will close its doors permanently June 29:
Famed Minneapolis adult store SexWorld will close permanently
The store’s most famous former employee is perhaps Diablo Cody, the Hollywood screenwriter best known for the 2007 film “Juno.”
www.startribune.com
June 26, 2025 at 9:03 PM
SexWorld, Minneapolis’ adult entertainment store that was once three stories tall, featured a live peepshow and became a rite of passage in the Twin Cities, will close its doors permanently June 29:
From last week -- Social media, text chains helped anti-ICE protesters get the word out during Minneapolis raid:
Social media, text chains helped anti-ICE protesters get the word out during Minneapolis raid
Message chains with trained observers and social media posts are ways activist organizations are getting eyes on ICE activity.
www.startribune.com
June 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
From last week -- Social media, text chains helped anti-ICE protesters get the word out during Minneapolis raid: