About
By Design is an independent and possibly-occasionally-updated site launched in April 2026 by Molly Priesmeyer. If you subscribe to this possibly-possibly-occasionally-updated site, you’ll help support independent, public-facing research and analysis on systems of power in Minnesota and beyond—how it is consolidated, coordinated, and often kept out of public view.
Who am I
Hi! I’m Molly Priesmeyer, a former investigative reporter and still-obsessive research nerd based in Minneapolis.
I now work as a systems-change strategist and Director of Narrative and Advocacy Strategy — which is mostly a nonprofit-y way of saying I spend a lot of time researching, analyzing, synthesizing, and translating complex public policies, narratives, and systems into something people can actually understand, use, and advocate around in service of the public good.
I also am lucky enough to serve as an adjunct professor at Metro State University, where I teach a course in media power and political narratives in the Advocacy and Political Leadership program.
I also watch a lot of ER lately. And sniff lilacs and peonies. Speaking of peonies, you can also find me on Bluesky as @mollypeonies.
Why is this thing again?
For now, this site is a container for deep-dive analysis of power, public policy, public systems, and public record, including ones I requested from the Minneapolis Police Department from November 2025 through February 4, 2026, and include emails, incident reports, 911 transcripts, CAD logs, internal communications, and federal-local law-enforcement agreements.
I am doing this work as one person, without an editor, newsroom support, or research staff helping sort through thousands of pages of records. I will do my best to be careful, clear, and transparent about what the documents show, what they do not show, and what still needs to be verified.
I also ask for some grace as this work unfolds. These public records are messy, incomplete, and difficult to piece together. I may make mistakes, as humans are wont to do.
Please reach out to me if you see any mistakes in my reporting. It is critical that this reporting is detailed and accurate.
Want to connect?
Want to do some deeper digging into the data? Have a tip or anything else you want to share? I'd love to connect! Message me at mollypriesmeyer@gmail.com.