Sean Baker joins Star Tribune as Southeast Minnesota reporter

Sean Baker

The Star Tribune Media Company, the largest news organization in the Midwest, has announced that it has added Sean Baker as its new Southeast Minnesota reporter. Baker joins the Star Tribune after an eight-year run as publisher and lead reporter for Med City Beat, an independent news project he founded in Rochester at the age of 25. Under Baker's leadership, Med City Beat went from zero to 50,000 monthly visits, all the while developing a reputation for fairness, accuracy and independence. Baker begins his new role at the Star Tribune starting Monday, June 10.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Star Tribune to provide coverage of the city and region I’ve called home for nearly a decade,” said Baker, Southeast Minnesota reporter for the Star Tribune. “I’m looking forward to helping the Star Tribune continue to represent the stories that happen in Southeastern Minnesota and beyond.”

Prior to moving to Rochester, he worked as a news producer for WBAY-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He also served as news editor for the Fourth Estate, the student paper of UW-Green Bay, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He lives in Rochester with his wife, Sarah, and their two boys, Kyle (1) and Landon (13).

“We’re excited to add Sean to our talented Greater Minnesota reporting roster,” said Suki Dardarian, editor and senior vice president of the Star Tribune. “The team will continue to add more depth and context to our whole newsroom’s coverage across the state of Minnesota.”

Baker joins existing Southeast Minnesota reporter Trey Mewes, who has been covering the area for more than two years on behalf of the Star Tribune.

Both reporters will be available for a meet and greet on Wednesday, May 29, at Minnesota Matters – The Future of Media Coverage in Southeastern Minnesota.

The event will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Forager Brewery and Café (1005 6th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901). Featured speakers include Patrick Seeb, executive director, Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, and Erin Sexton, senior director, External Relations, Mayo Clinic. The Minnesota Matters event series is focused on fostering conversations and driving greater connections in communities across the state, as well as enhancing the Star Tribune's coverage across Greater Minnesota. 

Star Tribune continues expansion into Greater Minnesota

This hire continues a series of investments the Star Tribune is making to enhance its coverage of Greater Minnesota. Earlier this year, the Star Tribune announced plans to expand coverage in Greater Minnesota and has recently embarked on a series of community conversations across the state.

About Star Tribune Media Company:

Building on an extraordinary 157-year legacy that includes seven Pulitzer Prizes and hundreds of other awards, the Star Tribune Media Company is the Midwest’s largest news organization and is an unrivaled force for journalistic excellence in Minnesota. The Star Tribune has a vision to create the leading model for local news in America — driving innovation in media to make every Minnesotan’s life better. For more information, visit www.startribunecompany.com.