Twin Cities Documenters

Our next Public Meetings 101 workshop is Nov. 2. This is open to any Minnesotan looking for support in following government meetings in their community. The following week, we have our quarterly program orientation, which equips attendees to take paid notetaking assignments covering the Twin Cities.

Months after training thousands of Minnesota residents to observe ICE operations, local group Monarca has shifted to training voters in what they call democracy defense. Trainers aim is to prepare voters to respond if federal officials interfere with people’s ability to vote next month.

The next public hearing for the Minneapolis city budget is Monday, Oct. 19 at 6:05 p.m. The final one after this will be in December, shortly before the City Council takes a final vote. You can read more info about participating here: www.minneapolismn.gov/news/2026/se...

We are LIVE with Vote Without Fear, Sahan Journal’s live conversation with Minnesota election experts and community advocates. You can watch our livestreamed event using the link below. youtube.com/live/-2nHhjC...

🗳️ Join us online next week for a hands-on workshop with Cleveland Documenter Kellie Morris! Practice Robert’s Rules of Order in a mock meeting and learn how motions, votes and agendas work. Oct. 20, 5–6pm CT on Zoom. Open to everyone! Sign up: https://bit.ly/4yMb9ZG

Ahead of Minnesota’s Nov. 3 election, Sahan Journal is hosting Vote Without Fear, a live community conversation about how to protect your voting rights in a heated election cycle. On Oct. 15, experts and advocates will answer your questions about efforts to keep voting safe and secure.

Today is the last day to pre-register before the election. But if you missed the deadline, you can still vote. Learn about same-day voter registration - at the polls on election day or at an early in-person location: tinyurl.com/bdcmnpcb Bring your ID + your address or a document with your address

Our first national Documenters Network editorial project, co-published with @nextcity.org, brings together data from 23 communities to show how federal funding cuts are reshaping public health, safety-net hospitals, violence prevention & disaster preparedness. www.citybureau.org/perfect-storm

Paper ballots are the cornerstone of ballot security in Minnesota. Minnesota uses ballot counting machines to tabulate the paper ballots. These machines are not connected to the internet so they cannot be hacked. What happens to your paper ballot after it is counted?

Curious about the candidates for School Board? Check out the recordings from the At Large and District 1, 3 & 5: www.youtube.com/live/DXRCWS7...

Even as Frey points to the city’s ongoing investment in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund as a win, it will likely take another hit this year.

Say yay or nay! Join Cleveland Documenter Kellie Morris for a hands-on virtual workshop on Robert’s Rules of Order, Oct 20 from 5-6pm CT. Learn how public meetings work, how votes are taken & motions are presented, and more. Open to everyone! Sign up here: www.citybureau.org/events/docum...

The city of St. Paul has released a full but redacted 73-page report compiled by an outside law firm evaluating the St. Paul Police Chief's sexual harassment claims against Mayor Kaohly Her. Story by @MaraGottfried www.twincities.com/2026/10/01/s...

Join us for Fake Newsies Among Us on October 8, 5-6:30pm CT! Carmen Lawrence-Billé of Cincinnati Docs will lead a game night inspired by Among Us & Werewolf. We’ll spot fake newsies, refresh our note-taking skills & connect with fellow Documenters! Sign up: www.citybureau.org/events/docum...

after all the arguments (and one meeting with no agreement) the board of estimate and taxation just voted to put the minneapolis park and recreation board's maximum levy increase at their full request of 5.86%. total city property tax levy is $609,174,348, which is an 11.9% increase

Today! You can join us with this link: twincities.documenters.org/workshops/wo... Can't make it? Check out our workshops page for more opportunities, including our Nov. 10 orientation for taking paid assignments!

Save the dates! This fall, Documenters are leading a series of events designed to help us learn, connect, play & take action! Join us online for games, workshops & conversations, from spotting biased news to making zines and understanding public meetings. Learn more + RSVP: www.citybureau.org/events

On January 1, thousands of Minnesotans who rely on Medicaid for health insurance will be required to work or volunteer for at least 80 hours per month in order to keep their benefits. The Minnesota Department of Human Services released an online tool designed to help people navigate the change.

I sent more than 40 data requests and called more people than I could keep count of to figure out what Operation Metro Surge did to Minnesota school enrollment and what happened to the kids who disappeared. Our story is out today — please give it a read.

Local government decisions are made in public, but only if someone’s there to listen. Support transparency in Minneapolis and St. Paul today and have your gift matched up to $5,000, thanks to NewsMatch. Give now: minnpost.fundjournalism.org/support/?cam...

Documenters are trained, paid neighbors who take notes and make local government easier to understand for everyone. Your support helps train more residents and expand public meeting coverage. Double your impact today: minnpost.fundjournalism.org/support/?cam...

What happens when public information stops feeling public? Documenters' people-powered journalism turns everyday civic participation into meaningful local impact. https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/2026/6/3/five-documenters-stories-that-show-why-local-accountability-starts-with-paying-attention

Meet Tashawna Williams, one of the Twin Cities residents trained through the Documenters program to attend public meetings and share what matters most with the community. Right now, every donation to TC Docs will be matched up to $5,000. Give now: minnpost.fundjournalism.org/support/?cam...

Can't say enough good things about the Twin Cities Documenters program! Coverage of local meetings is generally light (or nonexistent) unless something controversial comes up. LOTS of things come up at these meetings that are worth reporting on. If you can donate, it's much appreciated!

We're celebrating the work of Documenters all week with our Documenters on Duty campaign! You can join us by making a donation or sharing our posts with your network. Let's build a better public record, together.

Polls have closed. Stay tuned for results on minnpost.com (via Associated Press) as they become available.

Happy Primary Day! You can find your polling location, sample ballot & info about same-day registration on the MN Secretary of State website: pollfinder.sos.mn.gov

From civil rights to zoning, historical preservation to taxation, there is a board or commission that needs your experience and perspective. Strengthen your community and make an impact on your city. Apply today! Open positions, application information and more at www.minneapolismn.gov/boards

folks, there's never been a better time to start paying attention to minneapolis' budget season. www.minnpost.com/metro/2026/0...

wrote about a truly nightmarish series of railroad crossings in northwestern minneapolis. in early 2024, one of them was blocked for *194 minutes*. that's long enough to watch the entirety of the odyssey (2026) and then spend 21 minutes googling "anne hathaway oscar odds"

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her said she's cooperating with an independent investigation into allegations that she sexually harassed city employees.

We asked the candidates for Hennepin County Attorney to explain their public safety priorities, views on traffic stops and racial disparities in the justice system, and how they’d hold federal agents accountable for Metro Surge. Take our “Meet Your County Attorney” quiz to find your top match!

Tomorrow! Join us to learn more about Documenters, City Bureau & MinnPost and get a crash course on how to find and monitor local government meetings in your community 📝

There are two weeks to go before the Aug. 11 primary, where Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig are vying to be the DFL's nominee. On Monday, catch a live debate between Flanagan and Craig moderated by MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst.