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More than 500 infrastructure projects are pitched to Trump, who will favor private money and speed
May 11, 2017

More than 500 infrastructure projects are pitched to Trump, who will favor private money and speed

States, unions, presidential advisers and consultants flood the White House with proposals. The president's pledge to cut regulations and his condition for funding — "If you have a job that you can't start within 90 days ... it doesn't help us" — risks leaving critical construction and repair behind.

Most states neglect ordering police to learn de-escalation tactics to avoid shootings
May 5, 2017

Most states neglect ordering police to learn de-escalation tactics to avoid shootings

In 34 states, training decisions are left to local agencies. Most, though, conduct no, or very little, de-escalation training. Chiefs cite cost, lack of staff, and a belief that the training isn't needed.

Three case studies: When police untrained in de-escalation shoot unarmed people
May 5, 2017

Three case studies: When police untrained in de-escalation shoot unarmed people

A review of 31 cases shows more than half of officers involved had fewer than two hours of training past five years.

Sanner retires suddenly; Rassier files suit, claiming mistreatment by Sanner and others
April 25, 2017

Sanner retires suddenly; Rassier files suit, claiming mistreatment by Sanner and others

Sanner, who led Wetterling investigation, has not apologized to Rassier, and has said he stands behind his actions as sheriff for 14 years. He hasn't commented on the lawsuit.

Three families file a lawsuit against Mesabi Academy's parent
April 11, 2017

Three families file a lawsuit against Mesabi Academy's parent

They claim their sons suffered injuries due to neglect, wrongful and careless conduct. The company says it was protecting its staff and other boys.

Undocumented students learning lessons from civil rights era
April 10, 2017

Undocumented students learning lessons from civil rights era

The federal government sets immigration policy, but states decide how much access undocumented immigrants have to their public colleges and universities. Georgia has some of the strictest policies in the country.

Final investigation reveals 'fight club,' lack of oversight among problems at Mesabi
February 21, 2017

Final investigation reveals 'fight club,' lack of oversight among problems at Mesabi

Findings released after investigation into charges of maltreatment, safety violations, poor supervision and training. Governor wants oversight system changed. The center closed June 30 after an investigation by APM Reports.

February 1, 2017

Bill targets Minnesota political appointee severance

A Minnesota House committee moved to reduce severance payouts to political appointees after Gov. Mark Dayton gave $80,000 to three appointees.

Ryan Larson files federal lawsuit against Stearns County sheriff, attorney and others
January 9, 2017

Ryan Larson files federal lawsuit against Stearns County sheriff, attorney and others

Update from Episode 8: The man falsely suspected of killing a police officer claims his constitutional rights were violated.

It took nearly 27 years to solve a notorious child abduction. Why?
December 30, 2016

It took nearly 27 years to solve a notorious child abduction. Why?

Reporter Madeleine Baran, host of the podcast In the Dark, writes the story of how the 1989 abduction of Jacob Wetterling in central Minnesota baffled local, state and federal investigators for years. In four chapters, she reports why it shouldn't have.

EPA reverses course, highlights fracking contamination of drinking water
December 13, 2016

EPA reverses course, highlights fracking contamination of drinking water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a final report on the connection between hydraulic fracturing and contamination in drinking water. After stressing in June 2015 that there was no "widespread, systematic impact" on water, the agency now is emphasizing that fracking can affect drinking water under some circumstances.

EPA's late changes to fracking study downplayed risk of polluted drinking water
November 30, 2016

EPA's late changes to fracking study downplayed risk of polluted drinking water

Early versions highlighted contaminated drinking water and vulnerabilities from fracking. The final version turned out differently: Fracking had not "led to widespread, systemic impacts." Oil and gas cheered the findings.

Rita Reker
October 11, 2016

Rita Reker

The woman Patty Wetterling didn't want to see.

Joseph Ture Jr.
October 11, 2016

Joseph Ture Jr.

Just days after the shotgun killings of Alice Huling and three of her children, he was interviewed by Stearns County sheriff's deputies and then let go.

Sex-offender registries: How the Wetterling abduction changed the country
October 4, 2016

Sex-offender registries: How the Wetterling abduction changed the country

The number of people on the nation's sex-offender registries has exploded to hundreds of thousands. But researchers question the registries' effectiveness, note their inconsistencies and suggest they might be doing more harm than good. Even Patty Wetterling has changed her views.

Child kidnappings that captured our attention
October 4, 2016

Child kidnappings that captured our attention

They don't happen often, but when they do, child abductions by strangers can capture Americans' attention like few other crimes. A look at notorious kidnappings over the past century and a half shows how attitudes have changed.

In a trap: What it means to be a 'person of interest'
September 27, 2016

In a trap: What it means to be a 'person of interest'

The police twice used the label "person of interest" in the Wetterling case. It's an imprecise term that stops short of calling someone a suspect but can leave a person in a long-term limbo.

The questionable science of tire track and shoe print analysis
September 27, 2016

The questionable science of tire track and shoe print analysis

They can rule out a suspect, but shoe prints and tire tracks in the dirt lack solid standards for use as forensic evidence.

What did Dan Rassier say when he called 911 the night of the abduction? We don't know
September 27, 2016

What did Dan Rassier say when he called 911 the night of the abduction? We don't know

APM Reports tried to get a transcript of Dan Rassier's 911 call. First the Sheriff's Office said no; then it said it didn't have it.

Dayton provided severance to appointees who resigned
September 20, 2016

Dayton provided severance to appointees who resigned

Gov. Mark Dayton authorized nearly $80,000 in severance payments to three outgoing top officials, a departure from past practice and an action Republican lawmakers are criticizing.

Inconclusive: The truth about lie detector tests
September 20, 2016

Inconclusive: The truth about lie detector tests

Investigators in Jacob Wetterling's disappearance used lie detectors "a lot," one of them says. But some research suggests they're not much more reliable than flipping a coin.

Does hypnosis help solve crimes?
September 20, 2016

Does hypnosis help solve crimes?

Wetterling investigators used hypnosis to prod memories, but some experts fear the process can cause people to remember things that didn't happen. So while it may help investigations, courts have been wary to accept it as evidence.

Not photographs: The misunderstood police composite sketch
September 20, 2016

Not photographs: The misunderstood police composite sketch

Early on, investigators circulated a number of police sketches, hoping they would generate better leads in Jacob Wetterling's abduction. But sketches can be tricky and lead potential witnesses down the wrong path.

September 13, 2016

DNA and the Wetterling abduction

DNA profiling has grown up since the Wetterling abduction, becoming both more powerful and, sometimes, as much art as science. It played an important role in shaping the case against the man who led authorities to Jacob's remains.

It's a match. Or is it?
September 13, 2016

It's a match. Or is it?

DNA analysis has come to be one of the most relied-upon tools in forensic criminology. Here's a look at when it's simple and when it's not.

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