Deena Winter
Reporter
Deena Winter is Minneapolis City Hall reporter for the Star Tribune.
Latest from Deena Winter
We went to the day cares Nick Shirley visited. Here’s what we found.
Some of the 10 day cares the YouTube content creator blasted for having “no children” invited reporters in to see for themselves.
January 1, 2026
How Minnesota got back into the national spotlight over fraud allegations
Here’s what to know about the program at the center of the story, where the allegations came from and what state regulators have said in response.
December 31, 2025
Viral video prompts more scrutiny of alleged fraud in Minnesota
The claims of a right-wing influencer are prompting questions about whether fraud has proliferated in a program that was flagged for deficiencies a decade ago.
December 29, 2025
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)