Minnesota Senate


January 25, 2024
Minnesota Senate
Capitol News Coverage
Directory 2024




Published by:

Secretary of the Senate
State Capitol Suite 231
75 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155
(651) 296-2344



Members of Capitol News Coverage Organizations are accredited through:

Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate
Suite G430
95 University Ave W.
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155
(651) 296-1119




This publication was developed by the following departments:
Senate Sergeant-at-arms; Senate Information Systems and Senate Media Services


Photography 
 Andrew J. Olmscheid
Information Supervision 
 Bryan Pierick
Information Maintenance 
 Charles Roberts
Information Systems 
 Anna Moorjani
Minnesota Senate 2024 Capitol News Coverage Directory 4
Senate Rule 16
CREDENTIALS FOR NEWS COVERAGE

16. Credentials for News Coverage

16.1 (a) The Secretary of the Senate shall provide a reasonable number of spaces on the Senate floor and in the Senate gallery for individuals and organizations with credentials and passes issued under this rule.

(b) The Sergeant at Arms may not issue credentials or day passes under this rule to political organizations or to individuals affiliated with a political organization. For the purposes of this rule, "political organization" means an organization owned or controlled by a registered lobbyist, a political caucus, a political party, or any party organization and "individuals affiliated with a political organization" means an individual who, during the preceding 24 months, has been employed by or received any compensation from a political organization.

(c) Due to the limited space available for organizations or individuals providing news coverage of the Senate, the Senate finds that there is a compelling public interest in limiting credentials issued under this rule to organizations or individuals who demonstrate that they provide regular news coverage of the legislature. For session credentials, an organization or individual must submit an application to the Sergeant at Arms. The Sergeant at Arms must review the application and approve or reject it within 14 days after receipt. Upon the request of the Sergeant at Arms, an applicant for credentials must provide evidence of the applicant's activities in providing regular news coverage of the legislature. Evidence of regular news coverage must include examples of news coverage of legislative matters produced by the applicant. The examples must include written, video, or audio coverage written or recorded in the past year, and a description of how they were publicly distributed. Any opinion expressed in the examples is not subject to review under this rule at any time.

(d) If an application is rejected, the Sergeant at Arms must state the reason for the rejection in writing and notify the applicant, the Secretary of the Senate, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader in writing.

(e) An appeal of a denial of credentials must be made in writing to the Secretary of the Senate, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Senate Minority Leader. The Committee on Rules and Administration shall review and decide the appeal within 14 days after receiving a letter of appeal.

16.2 The Sergeant at Arms may grant a day pass for access authorized under Rule 16.1, paragraph (a) The day pass may be issued for a single day to an individual or organization who has not applied for credentials and who is not prohibited from receiving credentials under Rule 16.1, paragraph (b). The pass may be granted upon the request of a member or the organization or individual, and may be renewed from day to day upon request.

16.3 The Secretary shall compile and distribute to the public a directory of individuals and organizations who have been issued credentials under Rule 16.1 to provide news coverage from the Senate floor. The directory must include each individual's picture and organization and a brief biography.

16.4 The Secretary must issue each individual or organization with credentials an identification badge showing the individual's name and organization. The individual must wear the badge when in the Senate Chamber.

16.5 (a) A credential shall be revoked by the Sergeant at Arms if the Sergeant has received credible information indicating that the individual or organization either was not qualified to receive the credential when it was given, or no longer qualifies for a credential.

(b) An appeal of a revocation of credentials must be made in writing to the Secretary of the Senate, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Senate Minority Leader. The Committee on Rules and Administration shall review and decide the appeal within 14 days after receiving a letter of appeal.

adopted January 06,2015

Minnesota Senate 2024 Capitol News Coverage Directory 5
Steve Karnowski
Associated Press
 
Capitol: 651-222-4821
Newsroom: 612-332-2727
Cell: 612-442-7649
E-mail: skarnowski@ap.org
Education: B.A. from the University of Minnesota in Journalism and Political Science, 1982.
Experience: Associated Press reporter since 1994; Conus Communications All News Channel, associate producer, 1994; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Munich, Germany, senior news editor, 1985 - 1994; United Press International in Washington, national desk editor, 1985, Minneapolis Bureau reporter, 1983 - 1985; Minnesota Daily, political reporter, 1979 - 1983.
Kyle Stokes
Axios
 
Cell: 952-261-5826
E-mail: kyle.stokes@axios.com
Education: B.A., Journalism and Political Science, University of Missouri (2007)
Experience: Jun. 2011 – Feb. 2014 : Indiana Public Media (Bloomington, Ind.); Mar. 2014 – Jan. 2016 : Reporter, KNKX Public Radio (Seattle/Tacoma); Feb. 2016 – Jan. 2023 : Sr. Reporter, Southern California Public Radio (dba “KPCC” and “LAist”); Jan. 2023 – Dec. 2023 : Reporter, MinnPost; Dec. 2023 – present : Reporter, Axios Media, Inc.
Mark Wasson
Forum News Service
 
Newsroom: 320-212-3132
E-mail: mwasson@forumcomm.com
Education: B.S., Journalism, St. Cloud State
Experience: MN Capitol correspondent, Forum News Service, Public Safety Reporter, Post Bulletin, Public Safety Reporter, West Central Tribune.
Thomas A. Olmscheid
Freelance Photographer
 
Cell: 651-208-4885
E-mail: taolmscheid@comcast.net
Education: A.A. degree, Inver Hills Community College
Experience: 1975 - 2011 Chief Photographer, MN House of Representative 1978 - 2020 Freelance Photographer, Associated Press 2012 - Present Freelance Contributing Photographer MinnPost
Quinn Gorham
Gray TV
 
Newsroom: 507-280-5125
E-mail: quinn.gorham@gray.tv
Education: B.A. Broadcast Journalism, Biola University
Experience: Reporter, MMJ for KBJR/Northern News Now
Minnesota Senate 2024 Capitol News Coverage Directory 6
Corin Hoggard
KMSP-TV 9
 
Capitol: 612-212-9595
Newsroom: 952-946-5767
E-mail: corin.hoggard@fox.com
Education: B.S. Biology, University of Houston
Experience: Pasadena Citizen (Pasadena, TX), KTRK-TV (Houston, TX), KFSN-TV (Fresno, CA)
Tom Hauser
KSTP-TV 5
 
Capitol: 651-665-0920
Newsroom: 651-642-4455
E-mail: thauser@kstp.com
Education: B.A., Journalism and Political Science, University of St. Thomas; MA, Journalism and Mass Communications, Drake University
Experience: KAAL-TV, Austin, MN; WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL; WHO-TV, Des Moines; KSTP-TV, Mpls-St. Paul.
Pafoua Yang
KSTP-TV 5
 
Capitol: 612-802-9014
Newsroom: 651-642-4412
E-mail: pafoua.yang@kstp.com
Education: B.A., University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Experience: Journalist, FOX 11 Green Bay - 2 years Journalist, CCX Media Brooklyn Center - 2 years Journalist, WCCO-TV - 6 months Journalist, KSTP-TV
Dan Ochsner
Leighton Broadcasting AM 1450/FM 99.3 KNSI - St. Cloud, MN
 
Capitol: 320-492-5661
Newsroom: 320-203-4831
Cell: 320-492-5661
E-mail: dochsner@leightonbroadcasting.com
Education: Associates Degree Radio/TV Broadcasting; Bachelor's Degree Media Business.
Experience: 20+ years in radio news and talk radio; KDLM news director, 1998-2001; MN Associated Press Broadcasters Board, past president; Political talk show host, KNSI St. Cloud, 2001-present.
Grace Aigner
Minnesota Daily
 
Capitol: 651-296-2881
Newsroom: 612-435-1563
E-mail: gaigner@mndaily.com
Education: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (Present)
Experience: Staff Reporter, Minnesota Daily City Desk, two years writing and editing for the Naperville NorthStar.
Minnesota Senate 2024 Capitol News Coverage Directory 7
Amaya Battle
Minnesota Daily
 
Newsroom: 612-435-5657
E-mail: abattle@mndaily.com
Education: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (2022 - Present)
Experience: Photographer for the Minnesota Daily Newspaper. Portrait photographer for families, couples and individual portraits.
Shalom Berhane
Minnesota Daily
 
Newsroom: 612-435-1563
E-mail: sberhane@mndaily.com
Education: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (Present)
Experience: The Minnesota Daily, June 2022-present.
Alexandra DeYoe
Minnesota Daily
 
Newsroom: 612-916-6420
E-mail: adeyoe@mndaily.com
Education: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Experience: MN Daily (July 2023 - Present)
Gabrielle Erenstein
Minnesota Daily
 
Capitol: 952-737-9375
Newsroom: 612-435-1563
E-mail: gerenstein@mndaily.com
Education: University of Minnesota School of Journalism (Present)
Experience: Photographer for the Daily. Pioneer Press photo intern.
Eleanor King
Minnesota Daily
 
Capitol: 651-296-2881
Newsroom: 612-435-1563
E-mail: eking@mndaily.com
Education: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (Present)
Experience: Minnesota Daily, Multimedia editor
Minnesota Senate 2024 Capitol News Coverage Directory 8
Jack O'Connor
Minnesota Daily
 
Capitol: 949-940-6943
E-mail: joconnor@mndaily.com
Education: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (Present)
Experience: Minnesota Daily, City Desk Editor
Alex Steil
Minnesota Daily
 
Cell: 651-231-9818
E-mail: asteil@mndaily.com
Education: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (Present)
Brian Bakst
Minnesota Public Radio
 
Capitol: 651-291-1035
Newsroom: 651-290-1424
Cell: 651-226-6089
E-mail: bbakst@mpr.org
Education: B.A., Political Science, Journalism, University of Minnesota.
Experience: Copy editor, Albuquerque Journal; legislative correspondent, Murphy McGinnis Media; legislative reporter, Associated Press, 1999 - 2016.
Clay Masters
Minnesota Public Radio
 
Capitol: 651-291-1035
Newsroom: 651-291-1035
Cell: 402-730-6105
E-mail: cmasters@mpr.org
Education: B.A. Journalism, University of Nebraska
Experience: Nebraska Public Media 2006-2012 (reporter, producer); Iowa Public Radio 2012-2023 (reporter, host).
Michelle Griffith
Minnesota Reformer
 
Newsroom: 202-491-7755
Cell: 763-331-1359
E-mail: michelle@minnesotareformer.com
Education: B.A. Journalism, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minnesota Senate 2024 Capitol News Coverage Directory 9
Madison McVan
Minnesota Reformer
 
Cell: 512-897-0766
E-mail: mmcvan@minnesotareformer.com
Education: Bachelor's of Journalism, University of Missouri (2020)
Deena Winter
Minnesota Reformer
 
Capitol: 763-283-9012
Newsroom: 202-491-7755
E-mail: winterdeena@gmail.com
Education: University of Mary (Bismarck, N.D.)
Experience: Bismarck Tribune, Associated Press, Lincoln Journal Star, Denver Post, Nebraska Watchdog, Southwest News Media, Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, New York Times, Wall Street Journal.
Peter J. Callaghan
MinnPost
 
Newsroom: 612-455-6950
Cell: 253-219-6332
E-mail: pcallaghan@minnpost.com
Education: B.A., University of Washington
Experience: MinnPost; Associated Press in Olympia and Seattle; Everett Herald; Tacoma News Tribune.
Ava Kian
MinnPost
 
Capitol: 612-483-2573
Newsroom: 612-483-2573
E-mail: akian@minnpost.com
Education: University of Minnesota, Bachelors of Arts in Journalism
Experience: Previous MinnPost race and health equity reporter, current MinnPost Greater Minnesota reporter
Martin D. Owings
Public Record Media
 
Capitol: 612-819-8599
Cell: 612-819-8599
E-mail: owings1064@gmail.com
Education: B.A., History and Political Science, Metropolitan State University.
Experience: Reporter/editor/online host; Board President at Public Record Media.
Minnesota Senate 2024 Capitol News Coverage Directory 10
Alex Derosier
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
Cell: 651-734-5336
E-mail: aderosier@pioneerpress.com
Education: University of Wisconsin - Superior, University of Missouri
Experience: Superior Bureau of Wisconsin Public Radio, WNAX, Missourinet Radio, Southern California Public Radio, CBS News Washington Bureau, Associated Press Raleigh North Carolina Bureau, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.
Mara Gottfried
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
Newsroom: 651-228-5262
Cell: 651-503-0163
E-mail: mgottfried@pioneerpress.com
Education: B.A., University of Maryland.
Experience: St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2001 - present.
Bill Salisbury
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
Capitol: 651-228-5538
Newsroom: 651-228-5448
Cell: 612-468-6311
E-mail: bsalisbury@pioneerpress.com
Education: B.A., History, University of MN - Morris.
Experience: Reporter, Fairmont Sentinel, 1971-72; reporter, Rochester Post-Bulletin, 1972-77; reporter, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1977-present.
Briana Bierschbach
Star Tribune
 
Capitol: 651-925-5042
Cell: 320-469-3206
E-mail: briana.bierschbach@startribune.com
Education: B.A., Journalism, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Experience: Star Tribune since 2020. Previous experience at the Capitol for The Associated Press, Politics in Minnesota, MinnPost and Minnesota Public Radio.
Patricia Ava Lopez
Star Tribune
 
Newsroom: 612-673-7028
Cell: 612-599-2654
E-mail: patricia.lopez@startribune.com
Education: California State University, Los Angeles.
Experience: Editorial writer, Star Tribune; former state and national political editor, Star Tribune; former chief political reporter; Star Tribune; Previously reporter for Cincinnati Enquirer, Los Angeles Times, Roanoke Times, Los Angeles City News Service.
Minnesota Senate 2024 Capitol News Coverage Directory 11
Leila Navidi
Star Tribune
 
Newsroom: 612-673-4840
Cell: 612-710-1293
E-mail: leila.navidi@startribune.com
Education: B.A. Applied Photography, Rochester Institute of Technology (2003)
Experience: Star Tribune since Sept. 2014; Las Vegas Sun, 2007-2013
Rochelle Anne Olson
Star Tribune
 
Newsroom: 612-673-1747
Cell: 612-202-6487
E-mail: rochelle.olson@startribune.com
Education: M.S. Journalism, University of Kansas; B.A. French, Hamline University.
Experience: Star Tribune since 2000. Associated Press in Kansas City, Topeka, KS, Charleston, WV, and St. Paul from 1992-2000.
Glen Stubbe
Star Tribune
 
Capitol: 612-210-8603
Newsroom: 612-210-8603
E-mail: glen.stubbe@startribune.com
Education: B.S. Photojournalism, Syracuse University.
Experience: Wilkes-Barre, PA, Times Leader, 1981-83; Tampa Tribune, FL, 1983-86; Washington Times, DC, 1986-98, Star Tribune, 1998 - present.
Jessie Van Berkel
Star Tribune
 
Capitol: 651-925-5044
Cell: 612-516-0121
E-mail: jessie.vanberkel@startribune.com
Education: B.A., Journalism, University of Minnesota.
Experience: Star Tribune (2014-present). Previously: Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Post-Crescent.
Cirien Issa Saadeh
The Uptake
 
Capitol: 651-538-0411
Cell: 952-423-8186
E-mail: cirien.saadeh@theuptake.org
Education: PhD in Sustainability Education from Prescott College, Masters in Humanities from Prescott College. Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from St. Catherine University.
Experience: Executive Director of The UpTake. Founder of and Program Director with the Journalism of Color Training Center. Formerly with North News and currently affiliated with other community journalism outlets.
Minnesota Senate 2024 Capitol News Coverage Directory 12
Mary Lahammer
Twin Cities PBS
 
Capitol: 651-402-8848
E-mail: mlahammer@tpt.org
Education: University of Minnesota, Journalism & Mass Communications Major, Constitutional Law History Minor, Phi Beta Kappa & Summa Cum Laude
Experience: Capitol correspondent since 1998 for Almanac and creator of Almanac at the Capitol. 12-time regional Emmy Award Winner.
Rachel Lauren Mueller
Twin Cities PBS
 
Capitol: 970-319-2184
Cell: 970-319-2184
E-mail: rach.muel@gmail.com
Education: Master's of Journalism, University of California - Berkeley
Experience: Director of Photography, Twin Cities PBS; independent journalist.
Scott Trotman
Twin Cities PBS
 
Capitol: 612-867-8358
Newsroom: 651-222-1717
E-mail: strotman@tpt.org
Education: B.A., Winona State University, Mass Communications, Broadcasting; Speech Communications (minor)
Experience: Over 20 years of video production experience; 16 years with TPT. Worked four sessions with Senate Media in 1990's.
Samantha Woodward
USA Today
 
E-mail: swoodward@gannett.com
Education: Bachelors, Journalism and Political Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Experience: CNBC; CNN Politics; The Minnesota Daily; St. Paul Pioneer Press
Caroline Rose Cummings
WCCO-TV 4
 
Capitol: 612-220-2486
Newsroom: 612-339-4444
Cell: 240-899-4639
E-mail: crcummings@wcco.com
Education: BA, broadcast journalism, University of Maryland, College Park (2017).
Experience: Iowa statehouse reporter, KGAN-TV, June 2017-December 2020; reporter, WCCO-TV, January 2021-present.