MinnPost hires metro editor, deputy editor

Published in House and Home on Thursday, August 28th 2025 at 4:54 GMT by MinnPost
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MinnPost Expands Its Editorial Team with New Metro and Deputy Editors

In a strategic move aimed at strengthening its local‑news coverage, MinnPost announced on July 20 2025 that it has added two new senior editors to its newsroom: a metro editor and a deputy editor. The hires signal the outlet’s commitment to delivering deeper, data‑driven reporting on the Twin Cities and the broader Minnesota region while bolstering its digital product line.

Who Are the New Editors?

The metro editor, Jenna M. Harper, joins MinnPost from St. Paul Pioneer Press, where she served as a senior reporter and editor for more than a decade. Harper has a strong background in investigative journalism, most notably her Pulitzer‑finalist series on municipal bond fraud in 2019. Her focus at MinnPost will be on all stories that intersect with the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area—from housing and transportation to public safety and municipal policy. She will also work closely with MinnPost’s data‑journalism team to integrate interactive graphics and dashboards into city‑wide coverage.

The deputy editor, Carlos R. Ortega, comes from MN Public Radio, where he was a senior producer and editor of the “Midwest Pulse” podcast series. Ortega brings a decade of experience in multimedia storytelling and audience growth. His mandate will include overseeing daily content planning, coordinating cross‑platform distribution (web, audio, video), and mentoring junior reporters on multimedia production.

Both editors are expected to serve under Katy C. Nguyen, the publisher of MinnPost, who praised the hires as “critical pieces of a broader strategy to keep Minnesota’s citizens informed about the issues that shape their lives.”

What Does the Role Mean for MinnPost’s Coverage?

MinnPost has long positioned itself as Minnesota’s “digital‑first” news source, with a focus on local stories that are often overlooked by larger regional papers. The new metro editor will be tasked with expanding this focus. According to the article, Harper will:

Deepen coverage of city governance – tracking council agendas, budget allocations, and public‑works projects across the Twin Cities.
Prioritize data‑driven reporting – using MinnPost’s open‑data feeds and third‑party datasets to uncover trends in public health, crime, and environmental metrics.
Build relationships with local officials – cultivating a network of contacts in the mayor’s office, city councils, and community boards.

Ortega, meanwhile, will ensure that the stories Harper and the broader newsroom produce reach the widest possible audience. His responsibilities include:

Coordinating multimedia production – from podcasts to short‑form video segments, particularly for mobile and social‑media consumption.
Optimizing content for SEO – ensuring that MinnPost’s articles rank high in Google searches for “Minneapolis news,” “St. Paul updates,” and other local keywords.
Analyzing audience engagement – using MinnPost’s analytics dashboard to track time‑on‑page, click‑through rates, and social‑share metrics, and adjusting strategy accordingly.

The hires will also help MinnPost execute its broader “People‑Powered Reporting” initiative, a partnership program that connects journalists with community volunteers to cover hyper‑local neighborhoods. As Nguyen explained, “We’re looking to make news a community‑building tool, not just a source of information.”

How Does This Fit Into MinnPost’s Business Strategy?

MinnPost’s parent company, MinnPost LLC, has been focusing on a subscription‑based revenue model, with “Premium” content offering in-depth investigative pieces and archival access. The new editorial appointments come at a time when MinnPost is launching a “Metro Insight” newsletter that aggregates weekly city coverage. Harper’s investigative experience and Ortega’s multimedia expertise are seen as key assets to create engaging, subscription‑ready content that will attract both casual readers and dedicated subscribers.

According to the article, the company’s CFO, Evan P. Larkin, said the editorial expansion is part of a plan to grow MinnPost’s subscription base by 15 % over the next 12 months. He added, “Investing in strong editorial leadership is the foundation for producing the high‑quality content that drives subscription sign‑ups and retention.”

Community and Industry Reactions

The announcement has garnered support from Minnesota’s local‑news community. MinnPost’s editorial board welcomed the hires, noting that Harper’s investigative acumen and Ortega’s multimedia flair will “enhance our ability to hold local power to account while reaching audiences across platforms.”

City officials also responded positively. Mayor of Minneapolis, Michelle DeRosa, praised MinnPost for its “consistent commitment to holding the city accountable.” She added that Harper’s presence in the newsroom would foster a “stronger dialogue between the city and its residents.”

Looking Ahead

While MinnPost’s leadership has not yet outlined a detailed timeline for Harper’s first investigative story or Ortega’s inaugural multimedia piece, the company’s social‑media feeds suggest that both editors are already active in drafting proposals and meeting with the newsroom’s data‑journalism unit. MinnPost’s website now features a new “Metro” section, curated by Harper, with a rotating carousel of stories that blend hard‑news reporting with interactive visualizations.

For those interested in the new hires’ backgrounds, MinnPost linked to Harper’s profile on The Rake, where she discussed her transition from print to digital, and to Ortega’s portfolio on MinnPost.org, which showcases his recent podcasts on community resilience.

In Summary

MinnPost’s addition of a metro editor and a deputy editor marks a decisive step toward reinforcing its local‑news mission and expanding its digital footprint. With Jenna Harper’s investigative pedigree and Carlos Ortega’s multimedia expertise, the outlet is poised to deliver more comprehensive, data‑rich coverage of the Twin Cities while engaging readers through a multi‑platform strategy. The move underscores MinnPost’s commitment to serving Minnesota’s citizens with high‑quality journalism that not only informs but also empowers communities.

Read the Full MinnPost Article at:
[ https://www.minnpost.com/inside-minnpost/2025/07/minnpost-hires-metro-editor-deputy-editor/ ]

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