Deena Winter
Reporter
Deena Winter is Minneapolis City Hall reporter for the Star Tribune.
Latest from Deena Winter
Key source says story that prompted Trump tirade against Somalis is erroneous
The writers of a City Journal story alleging a connection between Minnesota fraud and al-Shabab say they stand by their story.
December 29, 2025
Minneapolis Council Member Ellison asked city to pay for flights to and from Harvard fellowship
Jeremiah Ellison has been mostly absent since August while attending a fellowship in Massachusetts.
December 20, 2025
Man accused of stalking Minneapolis council member Koski has decade-long record of harassment
Emily Koski and her successor-elect, Jamison Whiting, have sought protection in court. Other officials have similar stories.
December 18, 2025
Minneapolis City Council amends budget to avoid Frey veto
Behind the scenes, Mayor Jacob Frey and the council have been negotiating for weeks over several sticking points.
December 17, 2025
Minneapolis council strengthens ordinance preventing immigration enforcement; bomb threats reported at Augsburg
Measure clarifies city resources and personnel, including vendors, cannot be used for federal immigration law enforcement.
December 11, 2025
Minneapolis City Council approves 2026 budget, spares mayor’s office major cuts
Mayor Frey has five days to decide whether to sign the spending plan, which will increase property taxes.
December 10, 2025
Amid criticism from council, Minneapolis police chief defends nearly $20 million in overspending
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said a hiring spree is a costly endeavor, while some council members decried a lack of oversight about a large overspend.
December 9, 2025
Minneapolis council considers $46K raise for Frey, may hike their own pay in two years
The proposal comes two years after a salary survey found the mayor’s salary lags behind other mayors, including St. Paul’s.
December 8, 2025
Republican state senator admonishes Trump for calling Somalis ‘garbage,’ invites him to Minnesota
Sen. Jim Abeler of Anoka tells the president: ‘No man, woman or child is more or less in the eyes of our Lord.’
December 7, 2025
![State Rep. Jim Abeler asked Somalis for their vote in the August 12 primary in his race against Mike McFadden to go up against Sen. Al Franken for the U.S. Senate seat. He handed out brochures in both English and Somali Friday after prayers at Somali Village Market in Minneapolis. ] Friday, August 1, 2014. GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1408011641271205](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/Q2CN5UBEOOTWQQJZ6CYF4X5SUA.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
MPD blows budget by $19.6 million; council leaders call it ‘mismanagement’
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara says it’s costly to replenish the ranks because new hires need training while existing officers rack up OT.
December 5, 2025
Some Minneapolis City Council members want to stop Waymo driverless cars
Some council members say allowing autonomous vehicles would put thousands of mostly immigrant Uber and Lyft drivers out of work.
December 4, 2025
Hmong community celebrates its New Year and 50 years as Americans
It honors St. Paul Mayor-elect Kaohly Her and marks the event with courtship ball tosses and dances.
November 29, 2025
