The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists is excited to announce A.J. Lagoe, Kelly Dietz, Gary Knox and David Peterlinz of KARE-TV as first-place winners of the 2026 A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in Minnesota for “KARE 11 Investigates: Housing Hustle.”
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 21 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 2026 Page One banquet. Read the full list of 2026 Page One Award winners here.
First place: $5,000 for the reporters and $2,500 for the news organization — “KARE 11 Investigates: Housing Hustle” by A.J. Lagoe, Kelly Dietz, Gary Knox and David Peterlinz of KARE-TV
Judge’s comments: KARE 11’s “Housing Hustle” investigation stands as a powerful example of accountability journalism at its best — exposing a fraud scheme that exploited a Medicaid-funded housing program meant to serve vulnerable Minnesotans. The judges praised the reporting for combining rigorous investigative work with compelling storytelling. One judge even going so far as to call it the holy grail of investigative reporting. The panel applauded its wide-reaching public impact, exceptional pacing and unforgettable opening sequence that immediately drew viewers in. The investigation ultimately drove sweeping reforms, federal prosecutions, and the shutdown of the troubled Housing Stabilization Services program — underscoring the essential role investigative journalism plays in protecting public trust and taxpayer money.
Second place: $3,000 for the reporters and $1,500 the news organization — “Forgive and Forget: A Church’s Dark Side” by Andy Mannix, Jessica Lussenhop and Leila Navidi of The Minnesota Star Tribune and ProPublica
Judge’s comments: “Forgive and Forget” is a deeply reported investigation that exposed how church leaders failed to act on allegations of abuse, while survivors carried the lasting consequences in silence. The judges praised the reporting for being both exhaustive and compassionate — carefully protecting survivors’ privacy while still delivering a powerful, deeply personal narrative that expanded to reveal broader institutional failures. The project stood out for its immersive reporting, including journalists attending church services to better understand the culture at the center of the story. The panel also highlighted the multimedia elements, particularly the use of interrogation video that strengthened and complemented the written reporting. “Forgive and Forget” exemplifies courageous investigative journalism that combines sensitivity, persistence, and accountability in service of the public interest.
Third place: $2,000 for the reporters and $1,000 for the news organization — “Hermantown officials deceived citizens, manipulated public process to pave way for data center” by John Ramos of the Duluth Monitor
Judge’s comments: The Duluth Monitor’s investigation into the Hermantown data center exposed a pattern of secrecy, backroom dealings, and nondisclosure agreements that kept residents in the dark about decisions reshaping their community. The judges praised the reporting as the very definition of independent local journalism — painstaking accountability work that uncovered how officials altered plans, concealed the true nature of the project, and shut down public scrutiny. The reporting combined detailed document analysis with strong multimedia storytelling. The judges also emphasized the investigation’s extraordinary local impact, noting that without the Duluth Monitor, residents may never have known the extent to which public decisions were being made behind closed doors.
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.