Alpha News attorney Chris Madel is pushing back after Star Tribune owner Glen Taylor denied having an interest in selling the paper to Alpha News.
Alpha News reported Monday that its lawyers had engaged in talks with the ownership of the Star Tribune related to Alpha News’ purchase of the paper, including the negotiation of a non-disclosure agreement. During those negotiations, the Star Tribune’s lawyers indicated that ownership was moving in another direction.
A spokesperson for Taylor then told the Star Tribune that he has “never been interested in selling the Minnesota Star Tribune to Alpha News.”
“When I saw that, my first reaction was, well that’s terrific then, can you pay me for my wasted time? Why were you having your number-one lawyer deal with me to negotiate a non-disclosure agreement if you had no intention of doing it in the first place?” Madel said when reacting to Taylor’s statement on WCCO Radio Tuesday with Chad Hartman.
“It makes absolutely no sense,” he added. “I was dealing with one of the highest lawyers within the Taylor Corporation’s organization so obviously somebody was taking it seriously there.”
Hartman then asked Madel how Alpha News could even afford to purchase the Star Tribune.
“Chad, for years I have been hearing rumors from clients, not Alpha News but other lawyers in town, that the Taylor Organization was looking to sell the Star Tribune for $1,” Madel replied. “And they were looking to sell it because of its enormous debts, specifically its pension liabilities. That it’s not making any money, they’re shoveling money into it, they need somebody to take it over because it’s hemorrhaging money.”
Madel also called out Star Tribune reporter Christopher Vondracek for his reporting on the topic. In a text exchange, Madel pointed out to Vondracek that he didn’t include a key quote from Madel in his article, among other issues.
If you’re wondering why the @StarTribune is bleeding money and cutting staff, here’s exhibit A:
When our attorney, @CWMadel, called out their reporter, @chrisvondracek, for not reporting the truth today, he responded by calling us a “Third rate thirst political bouncy castle”… pic.twitter.com/Ijvi4gg9kU
— Liz Collin (@lizcollin) June 8, 2026
“I’m not that kind of reporter. You can call my publisher,” Vondracek said.
“You’re a crappy reporter,” Madel replied.
“You’re a shitty Attorney. Bill your f–ing employer,” Vondracek said. “Third rate thirst political bouncy castle. Go find another hobby.”
“Another hobby? You mean including the truth? You’re right, I love that hobby,” Madel retorted.
The Minnesota Star Tribune reported last week that it will cut its staff by 15% through a round of layoffs and buyouts.
The cuts will result in a loss of 65 jobs at the 495-person organization, including about 25 positions in the newsroom,
The latest round of layoffs comes after the Star Tribune announced in September that it would be shutting down its Minneapolis printing facility and laying off 125 employees. The paper is now printed at a Gannett facility in Des Moines, Iowa.
Steve Grove was named the paper’s new publisher and CEO in 2023 after being hired directly from Gov. Tim Walz’s cabinet.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
