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
In Trump’s second term, Walz says federal government is ‘actively against’ Minnesota
The Trump administration has launched investigations and court challenges to Minnesota’s laws, canceled funding without warning and slowed communication.
July 14, 2025
U.S. House Democrats condemn GOP congressman’s ‘Islamophobic’ attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar
House Democratic leaders called Florida Rep. Randy Fine’s comments “unhinged, racist and Islamophobic.”
July 10, 2025
Minnesota on the hook for $430K legal bill after GOP congressional hearing where Walz testified
The state tapped outside lawyers to prepare the DFL governor for a high-profile U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing in June.
July 9, 2025
Gov. Walz bullish about re-election chances: ‘If we run again, we will win.’
In an interview, Walz predicted Republicans will face a poor midterm election outlook due to the unpopularity of President Donald Trump and his spending bill. But, more voters polled by the Minnesota Star Tribune said they didn’t want Walz to run again.
July 7, 2025
Melissa and Mark Hortman remembered for humanity, public service as they are laid to rest
Their legacy lived on at a grand funeral where people celebrated their contributions to the state and remembered their love of billiards, baking, sitting on their porch and having friends over for dinner.
June 29, 2025
Gov. Walz has an uphill battle for a third term
Walz’s approval rating fell below 50% in a new Minnesota Poll, and more voters said he should not run for a third term.
June 29, 2025
Minnesota Poll: Walz approval slips, voters divided on whether he should run again
The DFL governor’s approval rating is underwater outside Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. Republicans say the numbers suggest he could be vulnerable if he seeks a third term.
June 25, 2025
Melissa and Mark Hortman will lie in state at Capitol on Friday, private funeral to be held Saturday
Their caskets will be on display in the Minnesota Capitol’s rotunda alongside their golden retriever, Gilbert.
June 24, 2025
Melissa and Mark Hortman remembered for humanity, public service as they are laid to rest
Their legacy lived on at a grand funeral where people celebrated their contributions to the state and remembered their love of billiards, baking, sitting on their porch and having friends over for dinner.
June 29, 2025
Gov. Walz has an uphill battle for a third term
Walz’s approval rating fell below 50% in a new Minnesota Poll, and more voters said he should not run for a third term.
June 29, 2025
Minnesota Poll: Walz approval slips, voters divided on whether he should run again
The DFL governor’s approval rating is underwater outside Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. Republicans say the numbers suggest he could be vulnerable if he seeks a third term.
June 25, 2025
Melissa and Mark Hortman will lie in state at Capitol on Friday, private funeral to be held Saturday
Their caskets will be on display in the Minnesota Capitol’s rotunda alongside their golden retriever, Gilbert.
June 24, 2025