Minneapolis, MN

Program Recap

Twenty-nine students from across the Twin Cities participated in the Hometowns Minneapolis program from July 20-24, 2026. Students learned about the federal judiciary through the lens of the local First Amendment case Near v. Minnesota (1931). During the program, students learned from:

• 8 federal and state judges
• Historians from the Minnesota Historical Society and the University of Minnesota Law School
• Multiple First Amendment attorneys
• Numerous members of the federal and state courthouse staff

On Monday, newly appointed Chief Judge Eric Tostrud, along with Chief Judge Kerry Meyer and Assistant Chief Judge Mark Kappelhoff of the Minnesota 4th Judicial District, introduced the students to the federal and state court systems. Wednesday was spent delving into the Near case with Senior Judges John Guthmann and John Tunheim. Two highlights that students overwhelmingly mentioned in the post-program survey were the visit to the Minnesota Star Tribune, where they interviewed investigative and court reporters, and the sentencing they witnessed in Judge Tunheim’s courtroom.

The Hometown Scholars created a 6-panel exhibit documenting their new knowledge of the Near case, which will be installed in the Justice and Democracy Center in the Diane E. Murphy Federal Courthouse. The exhibit opening is scheduled for Spring 2026.