Leaders of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church told young victims they could never speak of the sexual abuse.
More from Investigations
Federal government investigating University of Minnesota for alleged racial bias against white and Asian students
The U says it will cooperate with the probe and is committed to a discrimination-free environment.
March 14, 2025
Explainer: How the U.S. Department of Education’s investigation into MSHSL could unfold
The high school league doesn’t receive federal or state money, so how much weight does a threat to pull government funding carry?
February 14, 2025
What happened to Barbara and Melissa? Revisiting the unsolved 1963 murder of two Minneapolis girls.
In 1963, two Minneapolis girls were murdered. Despite national news coverage and a law enforcement manhunt, no one was ever convicted. Six decades later, the Minnesota Star Tribune revisits the case.
January 31, 2025
A mystery about my house became a five-year project that delved deep into Minneapolis history
The Minnesota Star Tribune’s first narrative podcast, “Ghost of a Chance,” explores the Black experience in the city.
January 10, 2025
How Minnesota’s charter school experiment is failing students
Minnesota created charter schools to spur innovation. Closures and low academic proficiency have plagued them.
September 15, 2024
Most Minnesota charter schools are failing to make good on their promises
Minnesota created charter schools to be more independent than their public school counterparts, allowing them to innovate and better help struggling students. But the lack of oversight often leads to financial mismanagement and fewer resources when things go wrong.
September 14, 2024
How Rhode Island’s charter schools succeeded where Minnesota’s failed
Rhode Island leads the nation in charter school performance. Advocates say adopting some of Rhode Island’s methods might help Minnesota’s struggling charter school system.
September 13, 2024
When Minnesota charter schools fail, vulnerable students pay the price
Hundreds of Minnesota students are caught up each year in the often sudden shuttering of charter schools. School leaders say the closings create a cycle that sets more schools and students up for failure.
September 13, 2024
Twin Cities charter school fraud took place under direction of school’s current leader, former employees say
The Minnesota Internship Center had 4% attendance and 5% graduation rates, while its leader took co-workers to Topgolf, according to state records and interviews with school insiders.
September 7, 2024
Police raids shed light on Minnesota’s weak laws, fragmented oversight of animal rescues
Proposed law changes have failed in the Legislature in recent years, but some are expected to be considered again in 2025.
August 2, 2024
Hennepin County reduced repeat abuse of kids. Are there lessons for rest of Minnesota?
Hennepin County boosted spending on child protection and added workers. The result: lower caseloads and far less repeat abuse. Now it must sustain this success.
December 15, 2023
Minnesota's system for helping parents with addiction is full of holes. Kids pay the price.
Pregnancy and birth can be key moments for intervention, but follow-up is uncoordinated and treatment options are failing to meet demand.
December 1, 2023
