Michael Rose, Patch Staff

Michael Rose is a Minnesota native who is happy to be back home in the Twin Cities, trying his hand at community journalism. When not scouring for news, he enjoys the soap opera that is the Minnesota Vikings, as well as being an amateur (OK, very amateur) chef.

Michael attended the University of Minnesota, majoring in journalism and political science, and graduating in 2008. While there, he worked for the award-winning college paper, the Minnesota Daily, as a reporter and an editor. After college, he headed to SPAM Town, USA — Austin, Minn. Michael worked at the Austin Daily Herald, primarily covering city council and the local police department. He also won a 2009 Minnesota Newspaper Association award for spot news coverage of a tornado that hit Austin.

As he was getting homesick for the Twin Cities, Michael found Patch at the perfect time in his life. Excited to be living and working in St. Louis Park, he hopes to bring meaningful and impactful journalism to the area. Michael loves to talk (just ask his fiancee, Jenny), so please drop him a line any time. And he especially wants to hear about ways Patch can better serve you.

<i>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for them to inject their beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to these beliefs. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that their beliefs are on the record will cause them to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.</i>

<b>Politics</b>

Not registered with a particular party. Generally, I see myself as socially liberal and fiscally conservative. I know, not very exciting.

<b>Religion</b>

Give me a call or send me an e-mail and I&#39;d be happy to discuss this more with you.

<b>Local Hot-Button Issues </b>

Right now, St. Louis Park is looking at the potential of a freight rail re-route through town as part of a larger plan to bring light rail to the region. While many support the idea of light rail, citizens have been less happy with the proposed re-route, which could bring bigger and faster trains past the high school — and more frequently. Some residents have put up distinctive orange yard signs to show their opposition to the idea.

St. Louis Park schools have also gone through a major change recently, with the closing of an elementary school and the restructuring of the rest of the district. With state funding for education scarce these days and budget cuts looming in the district, it will be interesting to see what impact the reorganization has long term.