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
Star Tribune analysis: Feds disobeying judicial orders on immigration detainees
The federal government cites a glut in cases and low staffing as reasons for violating court orders.
January 28, 2026
He was pardoned by the state on Tuesday, picked up by ICE on Wednesday
A legal permanent resident believed he left his criminal past behind. Now the Twin Cities auto shop owner is facing possible deportation.
January 24, 2026
Wave of immigrants file lawsuits to fight ICE detention
The number of unlawful detention lawsuits filed in the first three weeks of January in Minnesota federal court was twice as many as filed in all of 2025.
January 22, 2026
33 ex-federal prosecutors ask Trump to reconsider excluding state from Renee Good investigation
Former prosecutors said recent departures from the U.S. Attorney’s Office will hamper future fraud investigations.
January 15, 2026
Mass resignation at Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office stems from Renee Good shooting, investigation
At least six attorneys have left the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Joe Thompson, who took the lead in prosecuting fraud in state government programs.
January 13, 2026
Editor's Pick
We talked to 5 use-of-force experts. This is what they say about the Minneapolis ICE shooting.
Legal experts are stunned the Trump administration has prejudged the agent’s actions and blocked a state investigation.
January 8, 2026
How fraud allegations shook up Minnesota politics
Minnesota regulators are investigating a handful of child care centers following allegations from a conservative influencer. Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to drop his third-term bid followed concern from fellow Democrats that the issue could drag the whole party down.
January 5, 2026
We went to the day cares Nick Shirley visited. 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
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
