Walker Orenstein
Reporter
Energy, natural resources and sustainabilityWalker Orenstein covers energy, natural resources and sustainability for the Star Tribune. Orenstein previously covered state government and politics with a focus on greater Minnesota and environmental issues for MinnPost, and he reported on the Legislature in Washington state for The News Tribune of Tacoma. He was raised in St. Paul and attended the University of Washington in Seattle. In his spare time, Orenstein enjoys playing hockey, hiking and camping..
Latest from Walker Orenstein
Slain DFL Leader Melissa Hortman is remembered for legacy of service as lawmakers reconvene
It was a somber opening to the legislative session, which will be dominated by fallout from a year of upheaval in the state.
February 17, 2026
Head of ICE says he disagrees that Good, Pretti were domestic terrorists at Senate hearing
Senators grilled Minnesota AG Keith Ellison and immigration officials in tense hearing as Operation Metro Surge winds down
February 12, 2026
Editor's Pick
Minnesota’s suburbs are an election battleground. Trump’s immigration surge is unpopular there.
A new poll shows suburban residents and independents aligning more with Twin Cities residents in opposing Trump’s crackdown and immigration agents’ tactics.
February 12, 2026
Poll: ICE crackdown deeply unpopular in Minnesota
Federal deportation efforts are also unpopular nationally, turning immigration from a political strength to a problem for the president ahead of the midterm elections.
February 11, 2026
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Editor's Pick
Amid immigration crackdown, Lisa Demuth surges in GOP race for governor by focusing on fraud
Demuth has avoided wading into Trump’s immigration enforcement surge in the state as she tries to win over activists in her bid for the party’s nomination.
February 6, 2026
Lisa Demuth wins GOP straw poll for governor, Qualls and Lindell follow behind
The straw poll came as the GOP is dealing with political fallout from President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement surge.
February 5, 2026
Editor's Pick
Why Democrats see Amy Klobuchar as such a formidable candidate for governor
The longtime senator has historically broad appeal. Even with growing polarization, she outperforms other Democrats.
January 30, 2026
A chaotic confrontation, a gun and 10 shots: A frame-by-frame analysis of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti
The Minnesota Star Tribune analyzed how another encounter with federal agents turned deadly.
January 28, 2026
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Republicans in Minnesota were bullish about their election chances. Then ICE arrived.
Just a few weeks ago, the GOP was riding a wave of momentum with fraud dominating the state’s political dialogue. Now the party is on its heels.
January 27, 2026
‘Border czar’ Tom Homan’s arrival in Minnesota signals shift by Trump administration
Homan’s assignment comes amid reports that some federal immigration agents will soon be pulled out of Minnesota.
January 27, 2026
Walz and Trump speak by phone as White House appears to soften tone on ICE crackdown
Both parties described the call as productive. The governor’s office said Walz asked for “impartial investigations” into the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
January 26, 2026
Some Republicans break from Trump on immigration surge after latest shooting
While only a handful, some suburban Republicans in the state Legislature say ICE’s Minnesota operation should be pulled back.
January 25, 2026
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