Tom Scheck
Deputy Managing Editor of Investigations
Tom Scheck is the Deputy Managing Editor of Investigations. Prior to his promotion, he was a founding member of APM Reports. His reporting on mismanagement and allegations of maltreatment at a northern Minnesota juvenile treatment center led to the facility’s closure. He also contributed to a story that revealed that administrators within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency downplayed a controversial study on hydraulic fracking on water quality. He also revealed that a Covid-19 testing company cut corners to make money during the pandemic. As a reporter for MPR News, Scheck also contributed to an investigation into the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which won several national awards including an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award. His work has appeared on NPR, Marketplace, ProPublica and Reveal. Scheck also teaches data journalism at the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Prior to his work at APM/MPR News, Tom worked for Indiana Public Radio. He’s a graduate of Syracuse University.
Stories
Criticized for ship holdings, Ross owns more than previously known and the deals continue
Most of the 75 ships transport oil and gas products worldwide, presenting a conflict of interest for the commerce secretary as he negotiates trade deals. Records show 11 purchases since March. Ross has come under fire for not disclosing Russia-tied ship business and a U.S. senator wants an investigation.
Top Wilbur Ross aide played a role in trade deal while on the board of shipping firm tied to Russia
The agreement with China will increase U.S. exports of liquid natural gas. Navigator Holdings, which could gain from increased drilling, has a business partnership with a Russian-owned firm and is partially owned by Ross via an offshore investment fund. For dealmaker Wendy Teramoto — Ross' chief of staff and Navigator board member at the time — it raises a conflict of interest.
On infrastructure, now what? Trump's turn away from public-private model brings uncertainty
With private money at a record level and projects ready to go, the president decides the partnerships are "more trouble than they're worth," leaving states to make their own deals with investors and to hope for federal funding.
Elaine Chao, champion of Trump's infrastructure plan, chose to keep stock in a building company
After she was confirmed, the transportation secretary resigned from the board of Vulcan Materials but held on to deferred stock awards worth $300,000, an amount that could grow if Chao helps push an infrastructure bill through Congress.
Trump's desire for private infrastructure money will narrow his choices to mostly urban projects
Rural America, which supported Trump in the election, could be left out of water and road building investment as states and the president leverage private investment. Trump's plan offers little detail on federal spending and timing. Adding to the uncertainty, a presidential adviser has indicated that states should help themselves.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Investigators find four cases of maltreatment at defunct Mesabi Academy
Nearly two months after a juvenile correctional facility in northern Minnesota was closed, county officials found evidence of maltreatment in the actions of Mesabi Academy employees.
Where to go? The stories of three families after Mesabi Academy
Families and counties are scrambling to place children after Mesabi Academy said it would close its doors June 30. Hennepin and Ramsey counties have sent more complaints about the correctional facility.
State, county and federal supervision didn't convey worry about Mesabi Academy
A flawed, confused system prevents judges, social services officials and guardians from discovering critical information about the condition of the residential treatment facilities regulated by the Department of Corrections. Mesabi Academy, scheduled to close next month, is a case study. Since opening in 1998, the juvenile correctional facility had been seen as a reliable jobs provider, receiving subsidies from government and tens of millions of dollars in loans from its parent. But attempts to sustain the business may have compromised resident and worker safety.
Closure of juvenile center reveals Minnesota's lack of adequate treatment
The decision to close Mesabi Academy raises short-term questions about where troubled boys will be sent but also longer-range questions about whether the state's system is sufficient.
Facing removal of kids, Mesabi Academy to close
The parent company of an Iron Range juvenile residential treatment center said it planned to close the facility by the end of next month. The decision came after several counties pulled residents and the state froze new admissions, actions that followed several APM Reports stories about Mesabi Academy.
Mesabi Academy agrees to temporarily halt admissions
The Minnesota Department of Corrections said the juvenile corrections facility agreed to suspend new admissions while an investigation proceeds into allegations of maltreatment.
Lawmaker on Mesabi Academy: State, counties overreacting
DFL Sen. David Tomassoni, who represents the area that is home to Mesabi Academy, says agencies pulling boys from the facility are endangering jobs.
State agency pulls boys from Mesabi, warns other states
The Minnesota Department of Human Services is removing five boys it has jurisdiction over at the Iron Range residential treatment facility Mesabi Academy. It also told other states with boys there of its action.
Ramsey County to remove all youth from Mesabi Academy
Ramsey County officials said Monday they would pull the remaining 21 boys the county's courts have sent to the private correctional facility in Buhl, Minn. The action follows similar steps by Hennepin County on Friday and comes a week after APM Reports published results of an investigation into the facility, Mesabi Academy.
Hennepin County removes 20 children from Mesabi Academy after reports; Ramsey considering same
Hennepin County officials said Friday they're removing 20 children from a juvenile correctional facility on the Iron Range — Mesabi Academy — that's been the subject of two investigative news reports this week.
Claims of maltreatment, meager staff training and inadequate programs at Mesabi Academy
Interviews and records indicate troubling incidents and practices. Twin Cities counties are looking more closely at a facility where they've sent boys who need help.
Ramsey County freezes some placements at Mesabi Academy
Ramsey County social services authorities said Thursday they are not placing any more boys in the care of Mesabi Academy, a treatment facility in Buhl, Minn., in the wake of an APM Reports investigation into the center.
County reopens Mesabi Academy sex abuse inquiry
St. Louis County investigators asked for a tape recording a woman made of her son, talking about whether he had sex with a staffer at Mesabi Academy.