(Photo: Willem/ Due Dilligence)
Minneapolis, MN — April 7, 2025
Two days after Willem exposed Alpha News’ relentless misrepresentation of Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell, the truth is stark: this isn’t journalism. It’s a weaponized distortion designed to protect Derek Chauvin while tarnishing a decorated public servant.
Katie Blackwell isn’t just any police officer. She’s a 27-year Army National Guard veteran, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, and a lifelong Minneapolis officer who rose to Assistant Chief of Operations. She’s also an ordained minister who gives back to the community. And yet, for telling the truth in Chauvin’s trial, she was smeared by a documentary and a media outlet whose primary goal is defending a convicted murderer.
Alpha News: Pushing Lies Under the Guise of Reporting
“The Fall of Minneapolis,” produced by Alpha News with Liz Collin and J.C. Chaix, rewrites history. Blackwell testified honestly during the trial, but Alpha News presented her as dishonest, implying she committed perjury. Clips from the film were selectively edited, evidence was twisted, and a decorated veteran was painted as a villain — all to elevate Chauvin’s defenders and attract clicks.
A Pattern of Opportunism
Since the release of the documentary, Alpha News has used its platform to amplify Chauvin apologetics. Right-wing figures like Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk have leveraged the film to argue for pardons, while the public’s understanding of Floyd’s murder becomes increasingly distorted. Meanwhile, Blackwell’s life and career were put under a microscope for telling the truth.
The Lawsuit and Its Aftermath
Blackwell took the rare step of suing Alpha News for defamation. Though the court ultimately dismissed the case, the dismissal doesn’t erase the moral failings of Alpha News. They weaponized a decorated veteran’s testimony to defend a convicted killer, and their audience absorbed these distortions uncritically. The ethical breach remains glaring.
Lessons in Media Literacy
This isn’t just about one film or one media outlet. It’s about the responsibility of journalists to report truthfully and the danger when privilege, politics, and personal gain override integrity. Alpha News shows what happens when storytelling is divorced from fact — and when a war hero and public servant becomes collateral damage in a campaign to rewrite history.
Katie Blackwell’s story is a warning: truth can be attacked, but character and service endure. It’s time to hold media accountable and stop letting ideological agendas exploit real lives for ratings and notoriety.