Ryan Faircloth
Politics and government reporter
Higher EducationFaircloth previously covered higher education and breaking news, contributing to the Star Tribune’s Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the police killing of George Floyd. A 2018 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Faircloth started his career covering state politics for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and was named Minnesota’s Young Journalist of the Year by the state Society of Professional Journalists for his reporting at the Capitol. In his spare time, he enjoys practicing boxing and mixed martial arts – sports he once competed in – and searching the Twin Cities for barbecue and tacos that are even half as good as those he had growing up in Houston.
Latest from Ryan Faircloth
Trump’s ‘garbage’ comments threaten GOP inroads in Minnesota Somali community
Trump has ramped up attacks on Somali Minnesotans and pledged to revoke Temporary Protected Status.
December 3, 2025
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell files paperwork to run for Minnesota governor
The Mike Lindell for Governor committee was registered with Minnesota’s Campaign Finance Board on Wednesday.
December 3, 2025
Minnesota becomes latest target of Trump’s pressure campaign against Democratic-led states
Gov. Tim Walz said he expects threats of National Guard use from the president. Reports say Trump has the Somali community in his sights.
December 3, 2025
Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel announces GOP campaign for governor
A political newcomer, Madel hopes his experience as a litigator and fraud investigator will resonate with Minnesotans who are tired of the status quo.
December 1, 2025
In social media posts, Trump targets Somali community in Minnesota after National Guard shooting
The messages posted late Thanksgiving night on social media blaming immigrants for social issues came as the president intensified anti-immigrant rhetoric.
November 28, 2025
Are Minnesota fraudsters funneling money to terrorists? Explosive claim has little evidence.
Former U.S. Attorney Andy Luger said the 70 defendants his office prosecuted in the Feeding Our Future fraud case “were looking to get rich, not fund overseas terrorism.”
November 26, 2025
Minnesota Democrats in Congress look to reverse federal ban on hemp THC products
It’s unclear if Minnesota’s GOP congressmembers will seek a fix, though Rep. Tom Emmer has appeared open to it.
November 25, 2025
Editor's Pick
Gov. Tim Walz’s bid for third term puts some Democrats on edge
Walz’s declining support outside the Twin Cities is a point of concern within the party, as are the fraud cases that have unfolded during his tenure.
November 23, 2025
Minnesota’s hemp-derived THC companies prepare to fight ban on Capitol Hill
A spending bill passed by the U.S. House and signed by the president Wednesday will essentially prohibit hemp-based THC products nationwide in a year.
November 13, 2025
Federal shutdown deal could kill Minnesota’s hemp-derived THC market
A spending bill passed by the U.S. Senate would essentially ban hemp-based THC products nationwide.
November 11, 2025
Minnesota Democrats, moderates and progressives alike slam shutdown deal
The moment for Democrats comes as the party looks to recapture both houses of Congress in the fall 2026 midterm elections.
November 10, 2025
Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth picks Ryan Wilson to be her running mate in bid for governor
Wilson ran for state auditor in 2022, coming within half a percentage point of winning the office.
November 10, 2025
![Surrounded by his wife Janelle and their five children, Ryan Wilson accepted the GOP endorsement for state auditor, Friday, May 13, 2022 Rochester, First day of the Minnesota State Republican Convention in the Mayo Civic Center. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/LDSJAOIPT4JMCS3EMKOEXTOUKY.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)