Minnesota Star Tribune: Local News Steps Up During ICE Raids & Crisis Coverage

ICE Shooting in Minneapolis Sparks Debate Over Access to Evidence and Local Journalism’s Role

The fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis on January 7 has ignited a controversy surrounding access to evidence and highlighted the critical role of local news organizations in covering unfolding crises. Minnesota officials are currently unable to access evidence related to the shooting, and the FBI has declined to jointly investigate the incident, according to reports.

The shooting occurred during what ICE termed “Operation Metro Surge,” launched in Minneapolis in December 2025. The event quickly drew international attention, documented extensively by both traditional media and citizen journalists sharing information through social media platforms.

Steve Grove, CEO & Publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune, emphasized the vital importance of strong local journalism during a recent webinar hosted by Innovate Local. He noted that the events in Minneapolis were “probably the most documented crisis in American history up to this point,” but cautioned that many communities across the country lack the robust local news networks necessary to effectively cover such events.

“We are lucky in Minnesota to have a strong local news network,” Grove stated. “The Strib, but also the Sahan Journal, Minnesota Public Radio, the Minnesota Reformer, and a whole host of other publications, too, really leaned in to cover this moment.”

Grove underscored the unique advantage of local reporters, stating, “All of our reporters live in the communities they report on, and they care about those communities. They know their leaders, they know their neighbors, they know the intersections, the streets, the neighborhoods. So the reporting they’re able to do is just so much stronger than if we simply rely on national news organizations to kind of swoop in and cover a crisis.”

The Star Tribune dedicated 50 reporters to covering the ICE operation, but also actively incorporated documentation from community members on the ground. According to Grove, verifying videos submitted by bystanders around Minneapolis and Saint Paul was a key component of their coverage. Photographers were also deployed to capture events as they unfolded.

The Star Tribune implemented several strategies to address the challenges of covering a rapidly evolving and potentially dangerous situation. These included ensuring a functional live blog, utilizing high-quality images and video, and upgrading its digital platform. Grove highlighted the importance of breaking news, stating, “Nothing wins the day like breaking a story – when our journalists are the first to figure out the name of a shooter, or the location of something, the first to get footage, that still is the thing that really has an impact.”

Prioritizing journalist safety was also paramount. Building on lessons learned from coverage of the 2020 protests following the death of George Floyd, the Star Tribune conducted safety training workshops for its reporters and photographers, covering topics such as navigating tear gas and utilizing personal protective equipment. The publisher is also focused on enhancing cybersecurity measures to protect journalists from online attacks and doxing.

The Star Tribune launched an initiative called “Due to the fact that the world is watching” in response to the heightened attention on Minneapolis. This included a news literacy program in partnership with the News Literacy Project, providing free subscriptions to the Star Tribune for all high school students in Minnesota, along with a related curriculum. The publisher also offered free access to its coverage of the ICE raids, launched a donation campaign, and introduced a family subscription plan.

Grove emphasized the deep personal connection between the newsroom and the community, noting that many staff members were directly affected by the events. While maintaining journalistic objectivity, the Star Tribune sought to provide a platform for diverse perspectives, including those of local leaders, activists, and law enforcement officials. However, Grove noted that gaining access to ICE agents for interviews proved difficult.

The situation remains unresolved, with Minnesota officials still lacking access to evidence in the shooting and the FBI declining joint investigation. The Star Tribune continues to report on the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge and its impact on Minnesota communities.