Author

Michelle Griffith, Minnesota Reformer

Michelle Griffith, Minnesota Reformer

Michelle Griffith covers Minnesota politics and policy for the Reformer, with a focus on marginalized communities. Most recently she was a reporter with The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead in North Dakota where she covered state and local government and Indigenous issues. For two years she was also a corps member with Report for America, a national nonprofit that places journalists in local newsrooms and news deserts. She lives in St. Paul and likes to knit and watch documentaries in her free time.

Minnesota implements new Native American history requirement for K-12 teachers
By: - August 15, 2023

Minnesota teachers renewing their license must now undergo training about Native American history and culture. The Legislature passed a law this year requiring training for K-12 teachers about the “cultural heritage and contemporary contributions of American Indians, with particular emphasis on Minnesota Tribal Nations,” in order to renew their license. The requirement goes into effect […]

U.S. Supreme Court upholds Indian Child Welfare Act in 7-2 decision
By: - June 15, 2023

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a challenge to a federal law aimed at keeping Native American children within the foster care system in Native American homes. The Supreme Court in a 7-2 decision upheld the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act, which established federal minimum standards for the removal of Native American children from […]

U.S. Supreme Court to consider case that could radically reshape the country’s elections
By: - October 17, 2022

The U.S. Supreme Court could soon grant state legislatures unconditional control over federal elections, clearing the way for lawmakers to gerrymander their states with impunity and pass voter restriction measures without interference from state courts. The high-stakes election case, Moore v. Harper, comes out of North Carolina after its Republican-controlled legislature passed in November 2021 […]

Minnesota released some inmates who were susceptible to COVID-19. Now, 18 have to return.
By: - August 9, 2022

Dee King just had a baby girl and bought a $350,000 St. Paul duplex for his family in the past few months. King said he likely wouldn’t have done either if he knew he had to return to prison on Aug. 15. King, 43, was released from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater in June […]

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