Minnesota

Minnesota fraud is just the tip of a growing iceberg | Opinion

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1 hour ago

March 19, 2026

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Minnesota fraud is just the tip of a growing iceberg | Opinion

Minnesota’s scandals have showcased just how vulnerable large public systems can be to mismanagement, weak oversight and exploitation, especially since Democratic leadership failed to take action.

The great American author Mark Twain is purported to have said that it’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. Such has been the case with the latest developments in the bevy of fraud scandals that have enveloped my home state of Minnesota – so many that it’s hard to keep track – and now others.

Once a beacon of what a progressive utopian state could look like, full of nice people, beautiful lakes and leftist politicians like Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota’s scandals have showcased just how vulnerable large public systems can be to mismanagement, weak oversight and exploitation, especially since Democratic leadership failed to take action.

Minnesota fraud looks worse than ever

A report released by the Office of the Legislative Auditor on March 17, about the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention Program, revealed that Minnesota’s Department of Human Services failed to fully investigate allegations that Medicaid programs were receiving kickbacks because agency officials didn’t think they had the authority. This turned out to be untrue.

Members of the Legislative Audit Commission wrote, “We disagree with DHS’s assertion that it did not have the authority to investigate allegations of kickbacks alone. Based on our analysis, DHS has had the authority to investigate allegations of kickbacks in MA (Medical Assistance) since the late 1990s.”

That audit report is the latest in the ongoing cases of fraud. So far, at least two Minnesota autism centers are under federal investigation on fake billing and kickbacks to parents who enrolled their kids in the programs, whether or not they even had an autism diagnosis.

On March 2, Abdinajib Yussuf pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud related to Medicaid billing for the Star Autism Center, which Yussuf opened in 2020. He submitted millions of dollars worth of claims for Medicaid reimbursement and collected more than $6 million in reimbursement funds, which he sometimes shared with parents of kids “enrolled.”

In December, Asha Hassan pleaded guilty to a similar scheme via Smart Therapy. Hassan agreed to pay nearly $16 million in restitution and faces potential time in prison.

There may be fraud happening in other states

Minnesota might not be the only state with rampant fraud related to government programs. On March 16, President Donald Trump signed an executive order launching a national task force led by Vice President JD Vance to uncover whether what happened in Minnesota is happening in other states.

A White House fact sheet said California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine and New York and are states with “insufficient” fraud oversight. On March 17, Trump also added Florida to the list of states to probe.

In June, the Department of Justice charged 15 people in a $10.6 billion health care fraud and money laundering scheme in New York, the DOJ announced charges in Medicare and Medicaid fraud schemes in Arizona totaling more than $1.1 billion, and it charged five defendants in California with over $14.6 billion in alleged false billings in a health care fraud and illegal drug diversion scheme.

In Texas, where I live now, in February federal authorities charged a Russian national with more than $1.8 billion in alleged schemes. Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, vowed to “strengthen” the state’s efforts to combat abuse.

Walz and others should be held accountable

Due to the scale and perpetual nature of the fraud scandal in Minnesota, Democratic leaders must be held accountable for their lack of oversight and failure to act. I’d say the same for Republican leadership.

On March 4, the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released an interim staff report showcasing just how poor leadership fueled Minnesota’s “fraud explosion.”

The report is based on interviews with former Minnesota state employees and documents showing that Gov. Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison knew about “fraud concerns” as early as 2019, but that their failures to act allowed an “estimated $300 million in federal child nutrition funds and potentially $9 billion in Medicaid-related funds to be lost or placed at serious risk.”

I’m glad Walz bowed out of his reelection bid for governor, but I still can’t believe the Democratic Party tapped him as its vice presidential nominee in the 2024 election. He can’t govern Minnesota, much less help lead a nation.

In any case, to the horror of Minnesota taxpayers, these fraud scandals have already followed Walz much longer than his campaign for vice president ever has: Their loss is our gain.

Nicole Russell is an opinion columnist with USA TODAY. She lives in Texas with her four kids. Sign up for her newsletter, The Right Track, and get it delivered to your inbox.

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Minnesota

Vikings Suggested to Consider Reunion with $11 Million Ex-Starter

Published

13 hours ago

March 18, 2026

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Vikings Suggested to Consider Reunion with Million Ex-Starter

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ESPN’s Bill Barnell suggested Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings could pursue a reunion with veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard.

The Minnesota Vikings aggressively pursued veteran defensive linemen during the 2025 offseason. But the tactic didn’t work. The team parted ways with signees Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen before 2026 NFL free agency began. To re-address their defensive line depth, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wondered Wednesday if the Vikings could turn to a familiar face — Jonathan Bullard.

Bullard spent three seasons with the Vikings from 2022-24. During 2024, he started all 17 games, registering 41 combined tackles with seven tackles for loss.

Barnwell suggested Bullard, along with fellow former Vikings defensive lineman Jihad Ward, as a candidate to return to Minnesota.

“Several former Vikings are free agents, including Jonathan Bullard,” Barnwell wrote. “Ward, who had five sacks and an impressive 22 knockdowns for the Titans last season as a full-time starter, hasn’t found much of a market in free agency.

“A return to the Vikings for him could make sense if Greenard moves on.”

In addition to his tackles, Bullard had three quarterback hits and three pass defenses for the Vikings during 2024.

According to Over the Cap, Bullard has earned about $11.19 million during his NFL career.

Why the Vikings Could Pursue Jonathan Bullard Reunion

Barnwell added at the end of his summary that a Bullard reunion “could make sense” if the Vikings parted with Jonathan Greenard.

Because of salary cap concerns, Greenard is another defensive veteran Minnesota could move on from this offseason. This week, USA Today’s K.D. Drummond proposed Greenard as a trade target for the Dallas Cowboys.

Even if the Vikings keep Greenard, though, the team might want to consider a Bullard reunion.

With the departures of Allen and Hargrave alone, the Vikings have 1,348 snaps to replace along their defensive line. Greenard could help fill that void with his experience at a very affordable price.

According to Pro Football Focus, Bullard played about 40% of his defensive snaps for Minnesota in 2024 at defensive tackle.

Spotrac projected Bullard to cost about $1.99 million on a 1-year contract this offseason.

Last season with the New Orleans Saints, Bullard lined up for 327 defensive snaps in 15 games. He started six contests with New Orleans.

The 32-year-old posted 26 combined tackles, including four for loss and two pass defenses in a Saints uniform.

During his three seasons with the Vikings, Bullard averaged 512.3 defensive snaps per year.

Bullard began his NFL career as a third-round pick for the Chicago Bears during the 2016 NFL Draft. Chicago selected him at No. 72 overall.

In addition to the Vikings, Bears and Saints, he’s played for the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons.

Bullard has posted 6.5 sacks with 247 combined tackles, including 32 tackles for loss and 21 quarterback hits in 131 career NFL games. He also has registered 10 pass defenses and two forced fumbles.

Another Potential Reunion for Vikings

Ward is the other former defensive lineman Barnwell mentioned as a reunion candidate this offseason for Minnesota.

During the 2024 campaign, Ward posted 10 combined tackles, including one tackle for loss in 17 games with the Vikings. He also had 14 quarterback hits and a sack while playing 467 defensive snaps.

It’s worth repeating both Bullard and Ward aren’t direct replacements for Hargrave and Allen. The former two veterans mostly play along the edge while Hargrave and Allen are interior line defenders.

As Barnwell mentioned, Bullard and Ward are better target considerations for Minnesota if the Vikings part with Greenard.

But Bullard can play inside often enough that the team could pursue a reunion even if Greenard comes back.

The Vikings have a tight salary cap situation this offseason. If they want an extra veteran for any defensive line position and experience in Brian Flores’s system, they could bring back either Bullard or Ward as cheap depth.

Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb

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Minnesota

Northfield boys basketball team ends a 94-year wait | StribVarsity

Published

1 day ago

March 18, 2026

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Northfield boys basketball team ends a 94-year wait | StribVarsity

Decades ago, Matt Christensen was a face paint-wearing superfan watching his older brothers compete inside Rochester’s Mayo Civic Arena during the boys basketball section tournament.

He can recall feelings of excitement, but also heartbreak, seeing the Northfield Raiders lose, falling short of advancing to the state tournament. When it was his turn to represent the Raiders, Christensen experienced the same feeling of defeat before graduating from Northfield in 2005.

His nephew, Blake, suffered that same fate.

Similar stories have been shared across generations of Northfield grads since the Raiders last played in the state tourney in 1932.

The sport’s longest state tournament drought for a non-cooperative program finally ended Thursday, March 12, when Northfield defeated Austin 60-51 in the Class 3A, Section 1 championship game. Northfield is the fourth seed in the Class 3A state tournament and will face No. 5 seed Mankato East on Wednesday, March 25, in a quarterfinal at Williams Arena.

“I think Amelia Earhart was flying around the world,” Christensen said about the team’s last state trip. “The outpouring of alumni support here has been amazing.”

Led by Kayden Oakland, who will play football at South Dakota State and also participates in track and field, and solid role players, the Raiders improved from 15 wins last season to 25 wins entering this year’s state tournament.

“The number of people who have reached [out] is off the charts,” said Christensen, who was hired as coach in 2022. “Community members, if you go downtown, are clapping for us. It’s just been an outpouring of support.”

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Minnesota

Joe Pillsbury

Published

2 days ago

March 17, 2026

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Our son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, Joseph Todd Pillsbury, died on December 28, 2025.

Joe is survived by his mother, Bernice Pillsbury; brother, Bob (Samara Hamzé) Pillsbury; sister, Susan (Buzz Barton) Pillsbury-Barton; nephew, Seamus Pillsbury(Parker Blau); niece, Mina Pillsbury; many cousins and countless friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Friday, May 29th at St. Michaels Catholic Church, 4901 E. Superior Street, Duluth with a Visitation beginning at 10am. Burial at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to St. Michaels or Duluth East High School https://bit.ly/joepillsbury.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555. Please visit his obituary athttps://www.doughertyfuneralduluth.com/obituaries/joseph-pillsbury

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