Public Affairs Reporting Analysis

The Star Tribune reported that the Buca restaurant chain settled a lawsuit with the SEC Friday over "a complicated scheme devised by former executives at the restaurant chain that had funneled money out of the company."

The civil action came after former CEO Joseph P. Micatrotto was sentenced to 13 months in jail earlier this year for his role in the scheme. The settlement imposed an injunction on Buca, Inc. that prohibits it from breaking SEC rules in the future and provides for stricter penalties if rules are broken.

The Pioneer Press ran a short Associated Press item on the settlement.

Posted by Emily Miller at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In a Pioneer Press article about the case that Deputy Hennepin County Attorney Pat Diamond will argue in front of the Supreme Court on Oct. 31, Emily Gurnon did a great job of reporting the important details of the case as well as explaining through Diamond's own words the challenges of arguing a Supreme Court case.

She tells readers about the rules of the Supreme Court, more about Diamond, and the details of the case.

Posted by Emily Miller at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Saturday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that early Saturday morning, a man allegedly cornered a duck at the Embassy Suites hotel in downtown St. Paul, and tore its head off. The hotel keeps tame ornamental ducks in it's large, central lobby atrium.

The St .Paul Pioneer Press also reported the story, and identified the man as Scott D. Clark, a businessman from Denver. The Star Tribune did not publish Clark's name, stating that "The Star Tribune generally does not identify suspects until they are formally charged."

Clark, 26, is being held on suspicion of felony animal cruelty and is scheduled to appear in court Monday, the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press both reported. Both papers also reported the police believe Clark was intoxicated.

Posted by Emily Miller at 7:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Both the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press reported Thursday evening on the death of a 13-year-old Maplewood boy who drowned in a creek fed by storm waters in Battle Creek Regional Park. Both reports stated that police refused to immediately identify the boy, who died at the scene.

The articles also included information about the storm and the damage it caused to the Twin Cities metro.

Friday morning, the Star Tribune updated their coverage in a short news item after Maplewood Police released the name of the victim, Derek Tyler Beauclaire. The Pioneer Press followed soon after, also reporting the victim's name, and summing up the aftermath of the storm.

Posted by Emily Miller at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The decision from Ramsey County District Judge David Higgs to bar Par Ridder from working for the Star Tribune was published in the Star Tribune onTuesday and the Pioneer Press on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Star Tribune effectively announced through another story that they will begin a search for a new permanent publisher to replace Ridder. On Friday, the Pioneer Press included a short Associated Press story about the Tribune's search.

Posted by Emily Miller at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on a shooting that occurred Sunday night at the Target Center during the World Fighting Championship Downtown Throwdown.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press also reported on the shooting, which happened after a fight in the concourse. Police spokeswoman Sgt. Tammy Diedrich's name was misspelled in Nick Ferraro's report.

Posted by Emily Miller at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In a short item published Wednesday on it's Web site, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported the death of a 13-year-old boy in North St. Paul. The Press updated the story later that evening as more details became available.

Also on Wednesday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported the story, and identified the victim as Joseph J. Wright of North St. Paul. The Star Tribune also identified the driver of the vehicle as James J. Ryan, 46, of Oakdale. The Pioneer Press updated the story yet again a day later, to include both identifications.

On Thursday, the Star Tribune reported more details emphasizing the tragic circumstances of the accident. Wright was less than 100 yards from a pedestrian path under a bridge, staff write Anthony Lonetree reported. He also reported that the accident is still under investigation by the State Patrol.

Also on Thursday, the Pioneer Press updated their coverage, centering on Wright and including information from his school principal.

Both articles reported that a moment of silence was held for Wright at a ceremony to open a pedestrian bridge over Minnesota Highway 36 near North St. Paul High School, which is about a half-mile from the accident site.

Posted by Emily Miller at 3:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)