Jeffrey Meitrodt
Reporter
InvestigationsPreviously, Meitrodt was an investigative reporter for the New Orleans Times-Picayune. He also covered the Illinois statehouse for the Chicago Tribune. He grew up in southeastern Minnesota and graduated in 1984 from the University of Minnesota with a degree in journalism. He has won national journalism awards for his reporting on public corruption in Louisiana and Illinois, and for his coverage of corporate misconduct and educational disparities in Minnesota.
Latest from Jeffrey Meitrodt
We went to the day cares Nick Shirley did. Here’s what we found.
Some of the 10 day cares the YouTube content creator blasted for having “no children” invited reporters in to see for themselves.
January 1, 2026
How Minnesota got back into the national spotlight over fraud allegations
Here’s what to know about the program at the center of the story, where the allegations came from and what state regulators have said in response.
December 31, 2025
Viral video prompts more scrutiny of alleged fraud in Minnesota
The claims of a right-wing influencer are prompting questions about whether fraud has proliferated in a program that was flagged for deficiencies a decade ago.
December 29, 2025
Here’s what to know about Minnesota’s fraud crisis
For more than a decade, Minnesota has grappled with a fraud crisis in its Medicaid programs. The Star Tribune covered it extensively and can guide you through the process.
December 21, 2025
Walz says there’s no evidence of $9B in fraud, exposing rift between state and feds
The statements exposed tensions that have been simmering between Walz and Joe Thompson, the federal prosecutor who has led the fraud investigations.
December 19, 2025
Trump claims Minnesota lost billions to fraud. The evidence to date isn’t close.
The fraud allegations have been used as a justification for federal immigration enforcement against Minnesota’s Somali population.
December 11, 2025
How the Minnesota Star Tribune analyzed alleged fraud totals in Minnesota
The Trump administration says fraud totals are in the billions but the evidence doesn’t meet the claim. Here’s how we did the analysis.
December 11, 2025
A state law has prevented school and workplace shootings, but enforcement is inconsistent
Public records show that the state’s red flag gun law has helped law enforcement confiscate guns from people with violent plans. Some counties, though, have rarely or never used it, raising worry about gaps in its effectiveness.
October 4, 2025
Minnesota's red flag law prevented deaths, but an investigation found gaps
The red flag law has been successful in removing guns from people who are a danger to themselves or others. But many counties have not filed any petitions.
September 30, 2025
Minneapolis church shooter turned violent after sometimes turbulent upbringing
She expressed love for her family, but knew they’d wonder how they could have missed obvious signs.
August 31, 2025
What we know about the Annunciation shooter
Robin Westman graduated from Annunciation eight years before committing violent act.
August 29, 2025
Federal judge: Minnesota can’t bar religious colleges requiring faith statements from participating in high school program
The 2023 state law was an unconstitutional restriction of students’ religious freedom, the judge ruled.
August 24, 2025
