Elizabeth Shockman
@eshockmanwrites.bsky.social
Journalist at MPR News, reporting on K-12 education. Author of "Behind the Red Velvet Curtain: An American Ballerina in Russia." Parent. Minnesotan.
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Behind the Red Velvet Curtain: An American Ballerina in Russia
This book an unflinching, complex, and compassionate true tale of the first American ballerina to sign a contract with the Bolshoi Ballet Theater in Moscow, Russia. The narrative is drawn from mor...
rowman.com
My book is out today! "Behind the Red Velvet Curtain" took me 12 years to report and write. You can request it at the library, buy online or at Subtext or come get a signed copy at The Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis next month! rowman.com/ISBN/9781538...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Minnesota begins collecting evidence into ICE shooting following ousting by feds minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/09/m...
Minnesota begins collecting evidence into ICE shooting following ousting by feds • Minnesota Reformer
Minnesota prosecutors are asking the public for evidence in the killing of a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman by an ICE agent on Wednesday after the Trump administration froze local law enforcement out o...
minnesotareformer.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Minnesota begins collecting evidence into ICE shooting following ousting by feds minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/09/m...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
The agent, Jonathan Ross, was dragged by a vehicle and injured during a June operation in the Twin Cities, court records show.
ICE agent who fatally shot woman in Minneapolis is identified
Jonathan Ross, a Minnesota-based agent, was dragged in a separate incident last year by a fleeing motorist.
bit.ly
January 8, 2026 at 7:04 PM
The agent, Jonathan Ross, was dragged by a vehicle and injured during a June operation in the Twin Cities, court records show.
Fridley Public Schools will cancel classes Friday because of "significant fear and disruption over the past 24 hours due to ICE activity in our community."
January 9, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Fridley Public Schools will cancel classes Friday because of "significant fear and disruption over the past 24 hours due to ICE activity in our community."
Several more school districts in Twin Cities are cancelling school or moving to flex learning because of ICE activity and disruption.
January 9, 2026 at 2:06 AM
Several more school districts in Twin Cities are cancelling school or moving to flex learning because of ICE activity and disruption.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Breaking News: Federal agents shot two people in Portland, Oregon, local officials said, prompting calls to end an immigration crackdown in the city.
Federal Agents Shoot 2 in Portland, Ore., Police Say
The shootings in Portland, a city previously targeted by the Trump administration, come as Minneapolis grapples with a federal agent’s fatal shooting of a woman a day earlier.
nyti.ms
January 9, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Breaking News: Federal agents shot two people in Portland, Oregon, local officials said, prompting calls to end an immigration crackdown in the city.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says they've been informed by the FBI that US DOJ has said FBI will solely lead the investigation into Renee Nicole Good's killing by a federal officer. State investigators no longer have access to "case materials, scene evidence/investigative interviews"
January 8, 2026 at 4:03 PM
The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says they've been informed by the FBI that US DOJ has said FBI will solely lead the investigation into Renee Nicole Good's killing by a federal officer. State investigators no longer have access to "case materials, scene evidence/investigative interviews"
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
National media who are coming to Minneapolis, please treat people respectfully. Don't burn sources. Don't make people distrust journalists because you want a quick story. Consider instead hiring some of the good local journalists who have been here doing the work and will be here after you leave.
January 8, 2026 at 4:41 AM
National media who are coming to Minneapolis, please treat people respectfully. Don't burn sources. Don't make people distrust journalists because you want a quick story. Consider instead hiring some of the good local journalists who have been here doing the work and will be here after you leave.
Minneapolis canceled classes the rest of the week following Border Patrol activity near high school on Wednesday: www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Minneapolis schools cancel classes after Border Patrol clash disrupts dismissal at Roosevelt
Minneapolis schools closed for the week citing safety concerns after an encounter involving armed Border Patrol agents near Roosevelt High School.
www.mprnews.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Minneapolis canceled classes the rest of the week following Border Patrol activity near high school on Wednesday: www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Minneapolis is cancelling school for the rest of the week due to safety concerns after today's events.
January 8, 2026 at 3:10 AM
Minneapolis is cancelling school for the rest of the week due to safety concerns after today's events.
MPR News reporting on Border Patrol activity outside Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis during dismissal today: www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Live updates: Minneapolis confirms name of woman shot by ICE agent
Renee Good, 37, was identified as the woman shot and killed Wednesday morning by an ICE agent in south Minneapolis. ICE said Good was shot while trying to run over agents with her car. Mayor Jacob Fre...
www.mprnews.org
January 7, 2026 at 11:58 PM
MPR News reporting on Border Patrol activity outside Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis during dismissal today: www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
We are getting reports of Border Patrol activity near Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis that happened during dismissal time today. Bystanders say officers shoved, tackled bystanders and handcuffed 2 school staff
January 7, 2026 at 10:45 PM
We are getting reports of Border Patrol activity near Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis that happened during dismissal time today. Bystanders say officers shoved, tackled bystanders and handcuffed 2 school staff
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
. @mprnews.org was on the ground in Minneapolis right away this morning, and we have been covering ICE immigration actions since they announced a surge in December. Follow our live feed here as we confirm details of today's killing of an observer by a federal agent: share.google/iJp6yRVFbHfT...
Live updates: Frey, Walz dispute that ICE killed woman in self-defense
ICE officials say the woman was shot and killed Wednesday morning in south Minneapolis after attempting to run over agents with her car. Mayor Jacob Frey called ICE’s version of what happened “garbage...
share.google
January 7, 2026 at 8:54 PM
. @mprnews.org was on the ground in Minneapolis right away this morning, and we have been covering ICE immigration actions since they announced a surge in December. Follow our live feed here as we confirm details of today's killing of an observer by a federal agent: share.google/iJp6yRVFbHfT...
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
I've interviewed three witnesses who said they saw an ICE agent shoot and kill motorist in Minneapolis who was observing. We also have video. All witnesses vociferously deny that the woman shot and killed presented a threat to agents. They say she was trying to leave. Homeland Security tweet below:
January 7, 2026 at 8:28 PM
I've interviewed three witnesses who said they saw an ICE agent shoot and kill motorist in Minneapolis who was observing. We also have video. All witnesses vociferously deny that the woman shot and killed presented a threat to agents. They say she was trying to leave. Homeland Security tweet below:
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
ICE agents stopped by protesters after the shooting an observer in Minneapolis, according to witnesse. ICE deployed pepper spray and tear gas.
January 7, 2026 at 5:15 PM
ICE agents stopped by protesters after the shooting an observer in Minneapolis, according to witnesse. ICE deployed pepper spray and tear gas.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Minneapolis Chief Brian O'Hara confirms that the FBI is in charge of the investigation. He says MPD role is maintain the security of the crime scene.
January 7, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Minneapolis Chief Brian O'Hara confirms that the FBI is in charge of the investigation. He says MPD role is maintain the security of the crime scene.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
A witness shared this video with me showing an ICE officer shooting a driver in an SUV in south Minneapolis. DHS says the woman is dead.
ICE officer fatally shoots driver in Minneapolis
YouTube video by Minnesota Reformer
youtu.be
January 7, 2026 at 6:40 PM
A witness shared this video with me showing an ICE officer shooting a driver in an SUV in south Minneapolis. DHS says the woman is dead.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Worth noting that Minnesota Public Radio is NOT doing that. They're interviewing people on the ground, chasing down witnesses and facts, and treating ICE statements with the appropriate amount of skepticism.
Sigh. The NPR national news brief at the top of the hour mentioned the shooting and simply cited the DHS statement.
I truly don't think mainstream journalists in the U.S are prepared to cover state violence
January 7, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Worth noting that Minnesota Public Radio is NOT doing that. They're interviewing people on the ground, chasing down witnesses and facts, and treating ICE statements with the appropriate amount of skepticism.
"the priorities of board members have large causal effects across many domains..." www.nber.org/papers/w34590
Identity and Ideology in the School Boardroom
Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, an...
www.nber.org
December 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
"the priorities of board members have large causal effects across many domains..." www.nber.org/papers/w34590
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
“You are not entitled to a response from us, or anyone, ever,” is what a US Education Department spokesperson wrote to one of our reporters, @megomatz.bsky.social, after she repeatedly tried to get comment from the department and its officials. My column on the condemnation of good journalism.
Our Reporters Reached Out for Comment. They Were Accused of Stalking and Intimidation.
Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But in this environment, they’ve found their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated.
www.propublica.org
December 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
“You are not entitled to a response from us, or anyone, ever,” is what a US Education Department spokesperson wrote to one of our reporters, @megomatz.bsky.social, after she repeatedly tried to get comment from the department and its officials. My column on the condemnation of good journalism.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Trump's Education Policies Spurred 70 Lawsuits in 2025. How Many Is He Winning?: The legal challenges show which policies have had a big impact and how 2026 could go.
Trump's Education Policies Spurred 70 Lawsuits in 2025. How Many Is He Winning?
The legal challenges show which policies have had a big impact and how 2026 could go.
www.edweek.org
December 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Trump's Education Policies Spurred 70 Lawsuits in 2025. How Many Is He Winning?: The legal challenges show which policies have had a big impact and how 2026 could go.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
For more than five decades, the Assad family name has been synonymous with brutal autocracy in Syria. Now, the Assads are fugitives living in Moscow. Reporters for The New York Times have uncovered glimpses into a life of luxury and impunity in Russia.
Assad, Ousted Syrian Ruler, Leads Life of Luxury in Russia
Bashar al-Assad’s long, brutal reign ended swiftly, but he and his close circle have had a soft landing in Russia.
nyti.ms
December 22, 2025 at 11:10 PM
For more than five decades, the Assad family name has been synonymous with brutal autocracy in Syria. Now, the Assads are fugitives living in Moscow. Reporters for The New York Times have uncovered glimpses into a life of luxury and impunity in Russia.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
Federal Appeals Court Upholds 8th Grader's Expulsion Over Gun Comments in Class: Shortly after a nearby mass school shooting, a student allegedly discussed bringing a gun to school.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds 8th Grader's Expulsion Over Gun Comments in Class
Shortly after a nearby mass school shooting, a student allegedly discussed bringing a gun to school.
www.edweek.org
December 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Federal Appeals Court Upholds 8th Grader's Expulsion Over Gun Comments in Class: Shortly after a nearby mass school shooting, a student allegedly discussed bringing a gun to school.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
The New York Times investigated 346 people who donated at least $250,000 to Trump and found that more than half of them (197) have received pardons, jobs, government contracts, special treatment, or favors.
Hundreds of Big Post-Election Donors Have Benefited From Trump’s Return to Office
Well into his second term, the president and his allies have continued aggressively raising money. Many donors have interests before his administration, The Times found.
www.nytimes.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The New York Times investigated 346 people who donated at least $250,000 to Trump and found that more than half of them (197) have received pardons, jobs, government contracts, special treatment, or favors.
Reposted by Elizabeth Shockman
In many states across the U.S., Uber’s guidelines allow people with serious criminal convictions to drive, as long as those convictions are more than seven years old, a New York Times investigation found. Some of those drivers have gone on to sexually assault or harass passengers.
Uber Cleared Violent Felons to Drive. Passengers Accused Them of Rape.
The ride-hailing giant’s background check process was intended to speed drivers onto its network while keeping costs down, internal documents show.
nyti.ms
December 22, 2025 at 5:30 PM
In many states across the U.S., Uber’s guidelines allow people with serious criminal convictions to drive, as long as those convictions are more than seven years old, a New York Times investigation found. Some of those drivers have gone on to sexually assault or harass passengers.