Tragedy And a Legislative Boycott: 2025 Year in Review

Minnesota State House Speaker emeritus Rep. Melissa Hartman. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

(Minnesota Reformer) – On June 12 this year, editor Patrick Coolican and I sat down with Melissa Hortman to talk about the end of the legislative session. She walked in late carrying her lunch (Panera Bread), and I remember complimenting her fancy ice maker.

On June 14 — a Saturday — I woke up to multiple missed calls from Patrick. This was unusual, because we’re lucky at the Reformer to rarely work weekends. He called to tell me that he heard Hortman had been shot and she may have died.

My colleagues were all out of town that weekend, so it was up to me to go to the press conference. I cried on the way there. I didn’t know Hortman well. I would only speak to her at press events, but it was surreal that someone I had known was killed. So, unfortunately, that day is top of mind for me when I reflect on 2025.

Despite the tragedies at the front of my mind, it was a good year, even if I’m hoping next year will be far different.

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