- The Star Tribune emphasises verification and accuracy over rapid social media reporting.
- Community responses and legal battles highlight the tensions surrounding the Operation Metro Surge.
- The newsroom’s careful approach aims to provide fuller, more reliable coverage in a chaotic environment.
Amid a saturation of real-time coverage of Operation Metro Surge — the largest federal immigration enforcement deployment in recent memory — the Minnesota Star Tribune is trying to stand apart. Its editors say the paper is deliberately slowing its reporting to verify what is circulating online, even as videos and posts spread rapidly across social platforms.
In an environment where unverified footage can shape public perception instantly, the Star Tribune is betting that accuracy, context and local knowledge still have value — even if they arrive later.
Kathleen Hennessey, the paper’s top editor, said the newsroom’s priority is to resist rushing to judgement and to confirm what appears online before presenting it as fact.
Speaking in an interview with Business Insider, she said reporters assume that a video rarely tells the whole story. “We are very careful. We know that a video that appears to show something does not mean that that is exactly what happened,” said Hennessey, describing a process that includes securing rights, tracing provenance, consulting legal counsel and reviewing footage frame by frame. “And inevitably, that just means that we’ll be slower than social media. But we’ll be more accurate and more careful and fuller.”
The Star Tribune’s approach reflects a broader tension in the Twin Cities, where cellphone clips and encrypted messaging channels place raw images into public view almost immediately, while journalists and investigators work to establish context and accountability.
Hennessey acknowledged the frustration some readers feel when viral posts go unreported. “As a journalist, it never feels good to have somebody send you an account and say, ‘See? Look, this is what happened!’ And you have to say, ‘Yeah, I guess we’re not quite reporting it that way. Yet.’”
The stakes are high. State and city officials have filed lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security and its component agencies, arguing the surge unlawfully intrudes on Minnesota’s sovereignty and has caused concrete harm. According to statements from Minnesota attorney general Keith Ellison and filings by Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the operation has disrupted schools and businesses, diverted local emergency resources and, the plaintiffs contend, amounted to political retribution.
A federal judge recently denied a request for a preliminary injunction to halt the deployment, finding the plaintiffs had not shown a sufficient likelihood of success, while acknowledging severe alleged impacts including shootings and excessive force, according to reporting by the Associated Press.
For regional news outlets, the moment presents both challenge and opportunity. Hennessey argued that proximity to affected communities helps Star Tribune reporters separate credible leads from rumour, and identify specific places, dates and officials. “Our job is to be additive and to confirm and to name places and dates and locations and get reaction and comment from federal law enforcement officials and others. To really paint the fuller picture,” she said, adding that the paper is collecting user-generated material for journalistic use even when it is not publishing unverified clips.
Hennessey said the Star Tribune is holding to its process. “We’re all competitive, and we know the importance of speed,” she said. “But we’re really trying to hold to our process here.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.businessinsider.com/minneapolis-ice-cbp-coverage-star-tribune-editor-kathleen-hennessey-interview – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.apnews.com/article/48052b87af15d2884c47ce00aff8c4a3 – A federal judge, Katherine M. Menendez, has denied a preliminary injunction requested by Minnesota officials to halt the ongoing federal immigration enforcement surge, known as Operation Metro Surge, in the Twin Cities. The lawsuit, brought by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, argues that the operation violates the Constitution’s 10th Amendment by infringing on state sovereignty and retaliating against sanctuary laws. The judge determined there was insufficient likelihood of the lawsuit’s success to justify halting the operation but noted serious impacts, including shootings, racial profiling, and excessive force by ICE and CBP officers. U.S. officials defended the operation as necessary public safety enforcement, while local leaders condemned it as harmful and unconstitutional. The ruling referenced a related federal appellate decision limiting prior judicial restrictions on immigration officers. Despite this setback, state officials vowed to continue the lawsuit. The operation has sparked widespread protests following two fatal shootings by federal agents, and local communities express fear and disruption, including school absenteeism and business closures. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Ellison criticized the federal intervention as an unwanted invasion.
- https://www.apnews.com/article/32cd5ca61d495e155d43b7cfd5e563b9 – A Mexican immigrant, Alberto Castañeda Mondragón, was hospitalized in Minneapolis with multiple skull fractures and brain hemorrhages following his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE claimed he sustained the injuries by running headfirst into a brick wall while handcuffed, but medical staff at Hennepin County Medical Center found this explanation implausible. Nurses and doctors, backed by a forensic pathologist, said the injuries were inconsistent with ICE’s account and more likely the result of a violent incident. Hospital staff reported escalating tensions and intimidation due to ICE agents’ persistent and aggressive presence within the facility, often violating hospital protocols on patient restraint and access. Staff were instructed to use encrypted apps to safely communicate due to fear of surveillance. The incident occurred amidst ongoing heightened immigration enforcement under Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota. Castañeda Mondragón was later released from custody by court order. He entered the U.S. legally in 2022 and had no criminal record. His lawyers allege racial profiling and unjust detainment. Now suffering from severe memory loss, he faces a long recovery without the ability to work, prompting concern from his family and community.
- https://www.apnews.com/article/f86ce49f26230a1e5ad1592dcac0a5a9 – In response to the Trump administration’s ‘Operation Metro Surge’ in Minneapolis, a vast grassroots network of residents has mobilized to protect immigrant communities and resist immigration enforcement actions. The operation, touted as the largest of its kind, has involved thousands of heavily armed ICE and Border Patrol agents conducting aggressive sweeps across immigrant neighborhoods, leading to over 3,400 arrests and instilling widespread fear. Many affected are ordinary residents and even public servants, facing abrupt detentions and use of force. In defiance, local activists—including teachers, healthcare workers, and business owners—have formed sophisticated rapid response networks using encrypted apps to track and report ICE movements, provide legal support, deliver supplies, and organize protests. These protests often involve honking, whistling, and filming ICE encounters, though some escalate into confrontations with law enforcement deploying pepper spray and tear gas. The networks remain largely anonymous, emphasizing both safety and solidarity. Figures like ‘Sunshine,’ a healthcare worker and volunteer, symbolize the dedication of those involved. While some question confrontational tactics, the movement continues to evolve, emphasizing mutual aid, public awareness, and resistance amid escalating federal immigration enforcement.
- https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2026/01/12_ICE.asp – On January 12, 2026, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, alongside the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and related agencies, seeking to end the unprecedented surge of DHS agents into the state and declare it unconstitutional and unlawful. The lawsuit alleges that the surge violates the First and Tenth Amendments, the Equal Sovereignty Principle, and the federal Administrative Procedure Act. The plaintiffs argue that the operation is a pretext for political retribution against Minnesota and its leaders. The surge has resulted in tangible harm to the state and its people, including the diversion of local law enforcement resources, strained emergency responder resources, school lockdowns and closures, business closures, and violations of Minnesotans’ rights. The State and the cities seek an end to Operation Metro Surge and the deployments of thousands of DHS agents to Minnesota, as well as an end to the unlawful behaviors of DHS agents within the state.
- https://www.stpaul.gov/news/city-saint-paul-attorney-general-keith-ellison-and-city-minneapolis-sue-halt-ice-surge – In December 2025, the federal government initiated ‘Operation Metro Surge,’ during which thousands of armed and masked DHS agents—including from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—have stormed the Twin Cities to conduct militarized raids and carry out dangerous, illegal, and unconstitutional stops and arrests, all under the guise of lawful immigration enforcement. DHS agents have brazenly and repeatedly deployed excessive force against the people of Minnesota, spreading terror throughout the Twin Cities and beyond. This surge has resulted in tangible harm to the state of Minnesota and its people, as well as the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. As a result of this surge, municipalities have been forced to divert local law enforcement resources away from their normal public safety duties, emergency responder resources have been strained, schools have been forced into lockdowns and closures, businesses have been forced to close, and the rights of Minnesotans have been violated time and time again. The State and the cities allege the surge amounts to a violation of the First and Tenth Amendments of the Constitution, as well as the Constitution’s guarantee of equal sovereignty between state and federal governments. They also allege the surge violates the Administrative Procedure Act. The State and the cities seek an end to Operation Metro Surge and the deployments of thousands of DHS agents to Minnesota, as well as an end to the unlawful behaviors of DHS agents within the state, including but not limited to: arresting, threatening, and using force against innocent bystanders; using force against individuals peacefully engaging in constitutionally protected speech; pointing firearms at individuals who pose no threat to DHS agents; and carrying out enforcement actions at sensitive locations like schools, churches, hospitals.
- https://www.apnews.com/article/6ae64be5a0d6a718b658a938fb56e567 – Minnesota, along with its two largest cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to halt an aggressive immigration enforcement surge that resulted in the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by a federal officer. The suit argues that the Department of Homeland Security is violating constitutional rights, particularly the First Amendment. State Attorney General Keith Ellison accused federal agents of unlawful conduct and excessive force during the enforcement campaign, which has led to over 2,000 arrests since December and represents ICE’s largest operation to date. The shooting of Good has sparked nationwide outrage, protests, and school walkouts, with critics condemning the federal agents’ tactics. Homeland Security defends its actions, claiming it is enforcing laws and ensuring public safety. However, local officials suggest the federal government is targeting Minnesota for its progressive and immigrant-friendly stance. Similar legal action is unfolding in Illinois over another immigration crackdown. Tensions remain high in Minneapolis, with continued protests and community unrest. Meanwhile, other incidents of force by federal agents, including a shooting in Portland, have also raised concerns about federal immigration enforcement tactics.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on January 29, 2026, which is within the past week, indicating high freshness. However, the content primarily discusses the Minnesota Star Tribune’s approach to covering Operation Metro Surge, a topic that has been reported on by various outlets since December 2025. This suggests that while the article is recent, the subject matter has been in the public domain for over a month, which may affect the perceived novelty of the information.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Kathleen Hennessey, the editor of the Minnesota Star Tribune. A search for these quotes reveals that they have been used in previous reports, indicating that the quotes are not original to this article. This raises concerns about the originality of the content and the potential recycling of information.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The article is published by Business Insider, a reputable news organisation known for its investigative journalism. However, the content is based on an interview with Kathleen Hennessey, which may introduce a degree of subjectivity. Additionally, the article relies on information from the Minnesota Star Tribune, which, while authoritative, may present a biased perspective. The reliance on a single source for key information reduces the overall reliability of the content.
Plausibility check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims made in the article align with known events and reports regarding Operation Metro Surge and the Minnesota Star Tribune’s coverage. However, the article’s reliance on a single source and the recycling of quotes from previous reports raise questions about the depth and originality of the reporting. The lack of additional independent verification sources further diminishes the plausibility of the claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents information on the Minnesota Star Tribune’s coverage of Operation Metro Surge, but it relies heavily on recycled quotes and a single source, raising concerns about originality and verification independence. The lack of independent verification sources and the recycling of information from previous reports diminish the overall credibility of the content. Therefore, the article fails to meet the necessary standards for publication under our editorial guidelines.
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