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
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
Letter to FBI from shooting suspect made wild claims about Klobuchar and Walz, sources say
People with direct knowledge of a letter Vance Boelter addressed to the FBI say it is rambling and conspiratorial.
June 20, 2025
Walz says Minnesota should reconsider allowing guns at State Capitol, in wake of shootings
The Minnesota governor also told reporters he hopes to have Melissa and Mark Hortman lie in state at the Capitol. He added that Yvette Hoffman may be released from the hospital.
June 20, 2025
Walz scrambled to alert lawmakers of threat while grieving loss of a close friend
The second-term DFL governor had managed a global pandemic and widespread civil unrest, but never faced a crisis this personal.
June 18, 2025
Suspect showed few signs of political extremism before lawmaker shootings
Friends and associates say Vance Boelter, who was apprehended late Sunday and charged with murdering a state lawmaker and her husband, was mild-mannered and did not appear to be fixated on politics.
June 16, 2025
Minnesota House leader assassinated, state senator shot in political violence that stuns nation
“We must all, Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” a somber Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday.
June 15, 2025
State legislators sheltering in place, in touch with law enforcement
The Brooklyn Park Police Chief said the shooter’s vehicle contained a “manifesto” with names of other lawmakers and officials police believed were targets.
June 14, 2025
Walz scrambled to alert lawmakers of threat while grieving loss of a close friend
The second-term DFL governor had managed a global pandemic and widespread civil unrest, but never faced a crisis this personal.
June 18, 2025
Suspect showed few signs of political extremism before lawmaker shootings
Friends and associates say Vance Boelter, who was apprehended late Sunday and charged with murdering a state lawmaker and her husband, was mild-mannered and did not appear to be fixated on politics.
June 16, 2025
Minnesota House leader assassinated, state senator shot in political violence that stuns nation
“We must all, Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” a somber Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday.
June 15, 2025
State legislators sheltering in place, in touch with law enforcement
The Brooklyn Park Police Chief said the shooter’s vehicle contained a “manifesto” with names of other lawmakers and officials police believed were targets.
June 14, 2025