Minnesota
Minnesota family who served 50+ foster children supporting son’s athletic fight
The Sibleys’ oldest son plays basketball in Minnesota with a bleeding condition. As Mike Max explains, it’s just a small piece of life for the family that is making a difference beyond what most feel is possible.
Video Transcript
BASKETBALL PROVIDES A A STORY THAT EXTENDS WELL BEYOND THE GAME.
BASKETBALL PROVIDES A A STORY THAT EXTENDS WELL BEYOND THE GAME.
THE SIBLEY FAMILY HAS AN OLDEST SON WHO PLAYS BASKETBALL WITH A CONDITION THAT MAKES IT COMMENDABLE THAT HE PLAYS IT ALL, BUT THAT’S JUST A SMALL PIECE OF LIFE FOR THE FAMILY BEYOND WHAT MOST FEEL IS POSSIBLE.
THE SIBLEY FAMILY HAS AN OLDEST SON WHO PLAYS BASKETBALL WITH A CONDITION THAT MAKES IT COMMENDABLE THAT HE PLAYS IT ALL, BUT THAT’S JUST A SMALL PIECE OF LIFE FOR THE FAMILY BEYOND WHAT MOST FEEL IS POSSIBLE.
THE STORY STARTS 17.
THE STORY STARTS 17.
YEARS AGO, WHEN A YOUNG COUPLE WENT TO COLUMBIA TO MEET THEIR NEW ADOPTED SON.
YEARS AGO, WHEN A YOUNG COUPLE WENT TO COLUMBIA TO MEET THEIR NEW ADOPTED SON.
AT THE ORPHANAGE I WAS THERE, YOU ACTUALLY, YOU YOU WAIT IN A GREEN ROOM FOR, YOU KNOW IT COULD BE A 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR.
AT THE ORPHANAGE I WAS THERE, YOU ACTUALLY, YOU YOU WAIT IN A GREEN ROOM FOR, YOU KNOW IT COULD BE A 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR.
IT’S UNCLEAR.
IT’S UNCLEAR.
AND THEN THEY BRING YOU YOUR CHILD.
AND THEN THEY BRING YOU YOUR CHILD.
AND SO THEY BROUGHT LUCAS INTO US, PLACED HIM IN OUR ARMS.
AND SO THEY BROUGHT LUCAS INTO US, PLACED HIM IN OUR ARMS.
AND THAT WAS OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH LUCAS.
AND THAT WAS OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH LUCAS.
AND LUCAS WOULD GROW INTO A TYPICAL TEENAGER FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE GAME OF BASKETBALL.
AND LUCAS WOULD GROW INTO A TYPICAL TEENAGER FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE GAME OF BASKETBALL.
THAT’S HOW I FOUND MOST OF MY FRIENDSHIPS IS WITH BASKETBALL.
THAT’S HOW I FOUND MOST OF MY FRIENDSHIPS IS WITH BASKETBALL.
AND SO LIKE, THAT’S BEEN FUN.
AND SO LIKE, THAT’S BEEN FUN.
HIS PARENTS, HIS MOTHER, A BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST, AND HIS FATHER, AN EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR, THEY NOTICED SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR SON WHEN HE HAD WISDOM TEETH PULLED LAST YEAR.
HIS PARENTS, HIS MOTHER, A BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST, AND HIS FATHER, AN EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR, THEY NOTICED SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR SON WHEN HE HAD WISDOM TEETH PULLED LAST YEAR.
THIS LAST FALL, HE HAD SOME WISDOM TEETH THAT WERE EXTRACTED AND HE KEPT BLEEDING.
THIS LAST FALL, HE HAD SOME WISDOM TEETH THAT WERE EXTRACTED AND HE KEPT BLEEDING.
HE WAS BLED AND BLED.
HE WAS BLED AND BLED.
HE WAS DIAGNOSED A HEMOPHILIAC, A BLEEDING DISORDER.
HE WAS DIAGNOSED A HEMOPHILIAC, A BLEEDING DISORDER.
SO A ROUTINE INJURY LIKE THIS TO HIS LEG TURNED INTO FIVE WEEKS ON THE SHELF HE’S BACK AND HE’S PLAYING.
SO A ROUTINE INJURY LIKE THIS TO HIS LEG TURNED INTO FIVE WEEKS ON THE SHELF HE’S BACK AND HE’S PLAYING.
DESPITE THE CONDITION, THE BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST THAT IS HIS MOTHER SHE UNDERSTANDS THE VALUE OF SPORTS.
DESPITE THE CONDITION, THE BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST THAT IS HIS MOTHER SHE UNDERSTANDS THE VALUE OF SPORTS.
TO ME IT’S ABOUT BEING ON THE TEAM.
TO ME IT’S ABOUT BEING ON THE TEAM.
IT’S ABOUT STRIVING FOR SOMETHING.
IT’S ABOUT STRIVING FOR SOMETHING.
IT’S ABOUT WORKING HARD.
IT’S ABOUT WORKING HARD.
IT’S ABOUT IT’S ABOUT ALL OF THE ENERGY THAT YOUR BODY NEEDS TO DO, THAT THE CHARACTER NEEDED AROUND THAT IT’S ALL IT’S THE LEARNING OF THE DOING OF THE THING AND THAT’S WHERE THIS STORY GETS FASCINATING.
IT’S ABOUT IT’S ABOUT ALL OF THE ENERGY THAT YOUR BODY NEEDS TO DO, THAT THE CHARACTER NEEDED AROUND THAT IT’S ALL IT’S THE LEARNING OF THE DOING OF THE THING AND THAT’S WHERE THIS STORY GETS FASCINATING.
LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST MET SEE, WHEN TED BECAME A DOCTOR AND ERIN FIRST WORKED AS A TEACHER, THEY GOT A CALLING BEYOND LUCAS THEY NOW HAVE LIFELONG SPECIAL NEEDS, AND THEY HAVE NOW SERVED AS A FOSTER HOME FOR 52 CHILDREN.
LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST MET SEE, WHEN TED BECAME A DOCTOR AND ERIN FIRST WORKED AS A TEACHER, THEY GOT A CALLING BEYOND LUCAS THEY NOW HAVE LIFELONG SPECIAL NEEDS, AND THEY HAVE NOW SERVED AS A FOSTER HOME FOR 52 CHILDREN.
OVER THE YEARS.
OVER THE YEARS.
THE SIBLEY BOAT IS REALLY BIG WITH A LOT OF CREW.
THE SIBLEY BOAT IS REALLY BIG WITH A LOT OF CREW.
IT’S ON FIRE SOMETIMES, BUT IT’S GOT A LOT OF CREW AND IT HAS A LOT OF RESOURCES.
IT’S ON FIRE SOMETIMES, BUT IT’S GOT A LOT OF CREW AND IT HAS A LOT OF RESOURCES.
THIS JOURNEY HAS BECOME ABOUT ONE COUPLE BUCKING THE LIFE THEY THOUGHT WOULD BE WHEN THEY MET IN COLLEGE.
THIS JOURNEY HAS BECOME ABOUT ONE COUPLE BUCKING THE LIFE THEY THOUGHT WOULD BE WHEN THEY MET IN COLLEGE.
AND THEN I WAS GOING TO HAVE TWO HEALTHY BABIES THAT LOOKED LIKE ME, AND I WAS GOING TO.
AND THEN I WAS GOING TO HAVE TWO HEALTHY BABIES THAT LOOKED LIKE ME, AND I WAS GOING TO.
YEAH.
YEAH.
AND I WAS GOING TO LIVE IN THE BURBS.
AND I WAS GOING TO LIVE IN THE BURBS.
THEY’VE ACCEPTED THE CHAOS THEIR SON PLAY BASKETBALL WITH HIS CONDITION THAT’S JUST A BUMP THAT IS BRIDGED BY A COUPLE THAT HAS A ONE DAY AT A TIME FAITH.
THEY’VE ACCEPTED THE CHAOS THEIR SON PLAY BASKETBALL WITH HIS CONDITION THAT’S JUST A BUMP THAT IS BRIDGED BY A COUPLE THAT HAS A ONE DAY AT A TIME FAITH.
JUST LIKE HIM.
JUST LIKE HIM.
YOU KNOW, ENJOY HIGH SCHOOL PLAY SPORTS, AND LIVE HIS LIFE.
YOU KNOW, ENJOY HIGH SCHOOL PLAY SPORTS, AND LIVE HIS LIFE.
IT’S REALLY WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.
IT’S REALLY WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.
WHEN WE AND THE BOY THEY TOOK HOME FROM AN ADOPTION AGENCY CAN FEEL THAT LOVE.
WHEN WE AND THE BOY THEY TOOK HOME FROM AN ADOPTION AGENCY CAN FEEL THAT LOVE.
SUPPORTED.
SUPPORTED.
I’D SAY THAT’S THE WORD SUPPORTED BY THEM.
I’D SAY THAT’S THE WORD SUPPORTED BY THEM.
LIKE, I MEAN, MY MOM AND DAD LOVE TO SEE ME PLAY, OBVIOUSLY, LIKE IT UPSETS ME WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS.
LIKE, I MEAN, MY MOM AND DAD LOVE TO SEE ME PLAY, OBVIOUSLY, LIKE IT UPSETS ME WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS.
LUCAS HAS LEARNED MUCH IN HIS WELL.
LUCAS HAS LEARNED MUCH IN HIS WELL.
GROWING UP IN WAYS MANY WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND OR EXPERIENCE.
GROWING UP IN WAYS MANY WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND OR EXPERIENCE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES MESSY THINGS THAT COME WITH CARING FOR A SEVERELY AUTISTIC TEENAGE BOY.
THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES MESSY THINGS THAT COME WITH CARING FOR A SEVERELY AUTISTIC TEENAGE BOY.
AND AND LUCAS JUST MANAGES IT WHEN HE GETS HURT.
AND AND LUCAS JUST MANAGES IT WHEN HE GETS HURT.
YES, THERE IS THAT THIS GOING TO BE A BAD ONE?
YES, THERE IS THAT THIS GOING TO BE A BAD ONE?
BUT IT’S MORE OF A, OH MY GOSH HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE HIM OUT?
BUT IT’S MORE OF A, OH MY GOSH HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE HIM OUT?
AND THEY HAVE ALL LEARNED THAT LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO BE.
AND THEY HAVE ALL LEARNED THAT LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO BE.
THEY HAVE A REMINDER THAT HANGS IN THEIR KITCHEN.
THEY HAVE A REMINDER THAT HANGS IN THEIR KITCHEN.
COURTESY JOHN WESLEY TO REMIND THEM OF JUST THAT ALL THE GOOD THAT WE CAN, BY ALL THE MEANS THAT WE CAN, AND ALL THE WAYS THAT WE CAN IN ALL THE PLACES THAT WE CAN AND TIME THAT WE CAN, PEOPLE WE CAN, AS LONG AS WE CAN.
COURTESY JOHN WESLEY TO REMIND THEM OF JUST THAT ALL THE GOOD THAT WE CAN, BY ALL THE MEANS THAT WE CAN, AND ALL THE WAYS THAT WE CAN IN ALL THE PLACES THAT WE CAN AND TIME THAT WE CAN, PEOPLE WE CAN, AS LONG AS WE CAN.
WE CAN ALL LEARN SOMETHING FROM THAT BOY.
WE CAN ALL LEARN SOMETHING FROM THAT BOY.
GOOD JOB THEY HAVE PAUSED THEIR FOSTER
GOOD JOB THEY HAVE PAUSED THEIR FOSTER
Country music star Brad Paisley will be bringing his talents to the Grandstand at this year’s Minnesota State Fair.
Paisley, along with special guest Avery Anna, will take to the stage on Sept. 3. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, with prices ranging between $52 to $113.75.
Paisley has won several awards, including three Grammys, two American Music Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards.
In 2008, Paisley became the first artist to achieve 10 consecutive Billboard Country Airplay No. 1 singles. Last year, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
This year’s Grandstand acts also include TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, Rod Stewart, “Weird” Al Yankovic and Bonnie Raitt. Pre-fair discount admission tickets are also still available.
ST. CLOUD (WJON News) — The Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation has announced this year’s ATHENA Award winner.
Lori Kloos is the 2026 recipient.
She serves as the President of the St. Cloud Technical and Community College, where she has also held other leadership roles, including Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Administration for nearly 30 years. Prior to her time at SCTCC, Kloos served as a State and Legislative Auditor for Minnesota.
In addition to her professional achievements, Kloos is actively involved in the community, serving on several local boards and committees, including Greater St. Cloud, United Way, and the St. Cloud Downtown Rotary.
The ATHENA Award is a lifetime achievement honor recognizing exceptional women leaders who inspire others to achieve excellence in both their professional and personal lives.
Kloos will be honored on June 8th at the Women’s Fund Presents: Dancing With Our Stars Live at the College of St. Benedict.
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Minnesota
Eligibility questions spark calls to suspend Minnesota’s $100 million ‘promise’ to small businesses
The $100 million grant program intended to help Minnesota small businesses is facing renewed scrutiny after 5 INVESTIGATES identified grant recipients that may not have been eligible for the money.
Lawmakers passed the Minnesota Promise Act in 2023 to support businesses impacted by civil unrest, racial discrimination, and other barriers to funding. The taxpayer-funded grants offer awards of up to $50,000 to eligible recipients.
But a months-long review of public records revealed that several recipients appear to be operating miles outside of eligible neighborhoods, and that other businesses may not be operating at all.
No one has been charged with fraud related to the program.
One of the eligibility requirements for a Promise Act grant is that a business operate in a qualifying area — neighborhoods designated by the state as having experienced significant civil unrest or economic harm. Those areas include corridors such as Lake Street in Minneapolis.
The new findings related to participants’ eligibility follow a 5 INVESTIGATES report last month that revealed grant money from the Promise Act going to dozens of questionable recipients. At the time, DFL State Senator Bobby Joe Champion, who helped launch the program, said in an interview that “we know there is no fraud in the program.”
State officials have not released the actual grant applications, so 5 INVESTIGATES relied on tax filings, public databases, court records, mortgage documents, parking citations and on-the-ground reporting to verify business locations and activity.
Eligibility Concerns
Paradise Assisted Living received more than $21,000 in Promise Act funds. The business is located in Bloomington, approximately 10 miles outside any eligible neighborhood.
State records show inspectors visited that home as early as 2022.
5 INVESTIGATES contacted the business multiple times by phone and text and visited both the business location and the owner’s residence in Lakeville. The owner, Abdisalam Ahmed, did not respond to requests for comment.
Another recipient, CCG Cargo, a transportation company that received nearly $11,000, appears to have used an address at a multi-tenant building on Lake Street.
But the property owner said he could find no record of the company operating there. When contacted by phone, the grant recipient hung up after being asked about the Minnesota Promise grant.
MSCADDE LLC received more than $16,000 despite not being registered with the state for several years. Federal Department of Transportation records show the carrier has been out of service since 2021 for failing to pay a safety-related fine.
The owner did not return multiple calls and texts and did not answer his door.
‘Stop for a Minute’
Rep. Dave Baker, chair of the Minnesota House Jobs Committee, said the findings raise serious concerns about vetting and oversight.
“Governor Walz ought to say, ‘Stop for a minute. Stop any more going out. We have to check into what’s going on.’ There’s no reason why this should not be just immediately suspended,” he said.
Baker, a Republican from Willmar, pressed for answers after 5 INVESTIGATES first uncovered a list of questionable promise grant recipients.
He said he intends to raise these new findings at a hearing yet this session.
“This should be embarrassing, and it should enrage many taxpayers about how did all this money get out with such low accountability,” he said.
In the Twin Cities region, the applicant review process was handled by the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), a nonprofit contracted by the state.
In promotional materials, the organization emphasized that the application process was designed to be simple and accessible, with minimal paperwork.
“This isn’t meant to be a super complicated grant program. So you’re not going to have to write a life story and narrative on why you’re eligible,” an NDC employee said in one YouTube video.
The Neighborhood Development Center declined multiple interview requests. In a written statement, its president emphasized the good that the program has done for businesses and alluded to some tweaks.
“We are applying what we learned from round one to the review of applicants in round two,” said Renay Dossman, NDC’s president and CEO.
Under Review
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the state agency responsible for overseeing the program, also declined interview requests. 5 INVESTIGATES attempted to speak with the agency’s commissioner following a recent public event.
“I need to check with my team,” said Commissioner Matt Varilek, before walking out of the building.
Matt Varilek after a recent event.
Since that interaction, a DEED spokesperson sent a statement to 5 INVESTIGATES but did not answer any questions about how the businesses in question qualified.
“We take your questions seriously and are currently working closely with our grantee, NDC, to gather additional information,” said Mary Haugen, a DEED spokesperson.
“We have a strong process in place to mitigate risk, and we continue to refine and strengthen it as we learn. If we were to identify any misuse of funds, we would take immediate and appropriate action with our grantee to recover the funds.”
Following the initial reports in March, DEED submitted its required annual report on the Promise Act program to the Legislature. The report includes a section on fraud and states that “the agency is also bringing on new technologies to add extra layers of investigative tools to confirm the identified and business information of promise grant applicants.”
That disclosure marked the first time DEED mentioned new fraud-detection tools following repeated questions about the program.
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