JODI HARPSTEAD

Agency Overpaid Tribes for Opioid Treatment Programs

The agency lacked authority to make the payments.

ST. PAUL, Minn.–Minnesota’s legislative auditor says “troubling dysfunction” at the Department of Human Services resulted in $29 million in overpayments to two tribes for opioid treatment programs. The auditor’s office said in a report Tuesday the agency lacked authority to make the payments, no one at the department takes responsibility for the decision, and no one can provide a rationale…

Tribal Overpayments Take Center Stage At State Senate Hearing In St. Paul

$25 million was overpaid to the White Earth Nation and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

      ST. PAUL, Minn. — A state senate hearing on turmoil at the Department of Human Services in Minnesota turns to talk of overpayments. $25 million was overpaid to the White Earth Nation and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. The money was paid for substance abuse therapy treatments covered under Medicaid over five years. Sen. Michelle Benson chairs…

Gov. Walz Pushes For Gun Control Hearings And Appoints New DHS Commissioner

Walz says he wants a special session and he supports universal background checks and so-called "red flag" protective orders

Gov. Tim Walz & Jodi HarpsteadST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Tim Walz says it would be “counterproductive” to call the Minnesota Legislature into special session on gun violence only to watch Senate Republicans adjourn without holding any hearings or moving forward with gun control bills. “And I spent the day out at Game Fair where our most experienced firearms owners…