James Eli Shiffer

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James Shiffer

Team leader | Minneapolis and Whistleblower

Phone: 612-673-4271

Email: james.shiffer@startribune.com

James Eli Shiffer supervises coverage of the city of Minneapolis, overseeing a team of reporters assigned to City Hall, city schools, public safety and general news. He also oversees Whistleblower column and blog, which investigates reader complaints about injustices, rip-offs and red tape. Shiffer joined the Star Tribune in 2005.

A native of Scarsdale, N.Y., Shiffer previously worked at The News & Observer of Raleigh, N.C. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Wesleyan University in Connecticut.
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State official is the bane of bad builders

If a contractor disappears with your money and leaves you with a half-finished renovation, the guy you want to call is Charlie Durenberger at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

Updated: June 07, 2010, - 09:21 AM

Naturalized citizen wants to give up life in U.S.: 'Please deport me'

Guillermo Gonzalez's prison term ended in March and he's willing to trade his citizenship and welfare checks, but the U.S. says no.

Updated: May 26, 2010, - 10:07 AM

Her car was impounded, then impossible to find

The city of Minneapolis told Michelle Goulart to stop asking about her car at the impound lot. By the time it was found, she had already bought a new one.

Updated: May 24, 2010, - 03:40 PM

Uninspected properties in Minneapolis

The April 2 fire that killed six people in an apartment was the city’s deadliest in 24 years. It also...

Updated: May 19, 2010, - 04:29 PM

Used minivan a real mileage mystery

The odometer broke as the Golden Valley woman headed home from the White Bear Lake dealership. Or did it? Buyer Carol Canniff just wants it gone.

Updated: May 10, 2010, - 12:03 PM

Cause of deadly Lake St. fire 'undetermined'

Last month's deadly Lake Street fire was an accident, but investigators couldn't find the cause. Private investigators will take over now.

Updated: May 06, 2010, - 12:28 PM

Whistleblower: Diaper debut prompts rash of complaints

Pampers defends "Dry Max'' as parents vent online over leaks, blow-outs and, more ominously, red bottoms.

Updated: April 30, 2010, - 06:20 AM

Mpls. needs to step up fire checks, marshal says

The state fire marshal is recommending changes to Minneapolis' inspection practices that could have revealed rampant fire hazards in the Lake Street building where six people died if the city had adopted those rules when it overhauled the system in 2004.

Updated: April 20, 2010, - 10:29 PM

Minn. license flap has staying power

He moved to California in 1981, but a DWI fine is badgering him now. The case is so old Minnesota doesn't have complete records of it but wants the fine: $680.

Updated: April 06, 2010, - 04:08 PM