MNSPJ announces winners of inaugural A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in Minnesota

The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists is excited to announce A.J. Lagoe, Steve Eckert, Gary Knox and Kelly Dietz of KARE-TV as first-place winners of the inaugural A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in Minnesota for the team’s “Recovery Inc.” series.

The A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in Minnesota, sponsored by the A-Mark Foundation, recognizes outstanding investigative journalism in our state with $15,000 in prize money for journalists and their newsrooms.

This year’s contest received 25 entries from news organizations from across the state, representing every medium. Winners were selected by a panel of investigative journalists and editors who live and work outside of Minnesota. The winning journalists were honored at MNSPJ’s 2025 Page One banquet. Read the full list of Page One Award winners here.

First place: $5,000 for the reporters and $2,500 for the news organization — “KARE 11 Investigates: Recovery Inc.” by A.J. Lagoe, Steve Eckert, Gary Knox and Kelly Dietz of KARE-TV

Sparked by a tip and sustained by meticulous reporting, KARE 11’s coverage exposed fraud and exploitation within Minnesota’s addiction recovery industry. The team’s dynamic use of records, according to the judges, “untangled a really tangled web” of deceit involving politically connected players, fraudulent billing and a lack of government oversight.

The coverage led to FBI raids, fraud indictments and sweeping legislative reforms. As one judge noted, the reporting team had all the receipts, and the impact was both immediate and profound.

Second place: $3,000 for the reporters and $1,500 the news organization — “Costly Crisis” by Nathan O’Neal, Casey Hooker and Joe Augustine of KMSP-TV

The FOX 9 Investigators’ “Costly Crisis” series was praised by judges for its compelling narrative and meticulous coverage. What appeared to be a billing mistake was, in reality, a dangerous and deceptive practice by Ramsey County, billing hundreds of people who called into a crisis hotline for help. One judge shared they were “unbelievably appalled” at what the team uncovered and praised the reporting for its sensitivity. This investigation led to a public apology and a policy change, but also inspired legislation to protect vulnerable residents across our state.

Third place: $2,000 for the reporters and $1,000 for the news organization — “How fraudsters have gamed Minnesota government for millions” by Deena Winter and Patrick Coolican of the Minnesota Reformer

The Reformer’s investigative series uncovered a vast network of fraud across multiple state programs, stemming from a $250 million pandemic scam. Their reporting exposed how dozens of individuals indicted in the Feeding Our Future fraud case had also siphoned millions through other reimbursement programs. The investigation revealed shocking fraud schemes, including fake medical appointments involving interpreters and chiropractors preying on vulnerable communities. The judges praised their relentless coverage, thorough research and significant impact, especially given the outlet’s size.

About A-Mark: The A-Mark Foundation is a nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 1997. A-Mark is dedicated to supporting and encouraging journalism and investigative reporting through grants to organizations that offer awards recognizing journalistic excellence. One of A-Mark’s flagship initiatives is the A-Mark Prizes program, which recognizes and rewards the best investigative journalism in each state. Click here to learn more.