A Minnesota photojournalist and press freedom advocates are suing the Federal Aviation Administration over a recently issued rule banning drone flights within 3,000 feet of Department of Homeland Security buildings and vehicles.

“You have no way of knowing in advance before you fire up the drone whether you are within a prohibited distance of, say, an unmarked car that ICE is using for immigration enforcement,” said Grayson Clary, a staff attorney at Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which is representing independent photojournalist Rob Levine in the case challenging the rule.

On Jan. 16, while Operation Metro Surge was in full swing in Minnesota, the FAA issued a nationwide temporary flight restriction, known as a TFR, banning drones from flying within 3,000 feet laterally and 1,000 feet vertically of Department of Defense, Department of Energy and DHS “facilities and mobile assets, including vessels and ground vehicle convoys and their associated escorts.”

News organizations immediately pushed back. A coalition of media organizations including the New York Times, Washington Post and the National Press Photographers Association sent a letter to the FAA on Jan. 28, arguing that the flight restrictions violate the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

The press photographers’ association warned its members that lawful newsgathering could quickly become criminal.

“A moving, effectively invisible TFR, applying to unmarked or rented vehicles creates a constantly shifting restricted airspace that journalists have no practical way to identify or avoid,” NPPA President Alex Garcia said in the press release.

Clary said the situation creates a chilling effect on journalists’ exercise of the First Amendment.

“Which, candidly, I think, is likely what was intended,” Clary said. He also argues that the rule violates a fundamental portion of the right to due process — fair notice of what the law prohibits.

Levine, the plaintiff in the case, has run into FAA restrictions around newsworthy events before. In 2016, when the FAA issued a TFR around the protests at Standing Rock in North Dakota, Levine was the only journalist to receive an exemption, allowing him to document the events from the air.

The new restrictions for drone flights near DHS operations has made him think twice before taking out his drone.

“Seeing how these federal agents treated constitutional observers, I was truly worried that going out and flying, I could get arrested, have my drone destroyed, and be roughed up, like they did to so many of those constitutional observers,” Levine said.

The petition for judicial review was filed Monday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

The Minnesota Reformer is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to keeping Minnesotans informed and unearthing stories other outlets can’t or won’t tell..

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Hunt and Gather is a unique store in south Minneapolis that has become a destination for both locals and celebrities.

A unique shopping experience

What we know:

The store, owned by Kristi Stratton, is filled with an eclectic mix of items ranging from vintage textiles and art books to repurposed giant letters salvaged from local businesses. Stratton describes the shop as a reflection of her colorful and fun personality.

Stratton’s passion for collecting unusual items is evident throughout the store. “I love trying to find the quirky standalone items, the pow items, we say,” said Stratton. Her love for vintage and antiques began early, inspired by her great-grandfather’s general store in western Minnesota.

Celebrity appeal

What they’re saying:

The store’s unique charm has attracted celebrity customers like Sheryl Crow, Francis McDormand, Sally Struthers, and country singer Kasey Musgraves, who once bought a giant head and brought it onstage during a performance in the Twin Cities.

Stratton’s connection with her customers is evident, as she still keeps in touch with Maureen McCormick, known for her role as Marcia Brady. “It’s just nice when people get it, as I say, and have an interest in, hey, I’m going to put something a little different in my home,” said Stratton.

A legacy of creativity

The backstory:

Stratton co-founded the legendary coffee shop Muddy Waters in the late 80s before purchasing an antique store called American Classics, which she transformed into Hunt and Gather. The store has become a landmark over the years, known for its ever-changing, fresh, and quirky inventory.

Stratton’s love for the thrill of the hunt keeps her motivated. “I love this. I love doing this. And it’s the thrill of the hunt. It really is. That’s the name, Hunt and Gather. But to find this stuff is really exciting to me,” she said.

‘It’s controlled chaos’

What we don’t know:

The exact number of items in the store remains a mystery. “Could it be a million? I don’t know. We have 8,325 square feet. Jammed space. It’s possible. Don’t make me count them though,” said Stratton.