Reformer Radio

Jim Nobles spent nearly four decades uncovering fraud, waste and malpractice in Minnesota state government as the nonpartisan Legislative Auditor. He oversaw literally hundreds of investigations over his time, from police abuses of power to child care fraud to mistreatment of the mentally ill. It often took his office months to complete its work, issuing reports that were incredibly detailed and sometimes damning. The job made him new friends and enemies with each report, but even so, Nobles managed to be widely respected by members of both parties, who appointed him six times. Nobles retired earlier this month and spoke with us about his career, including three of the most significant reports his office issued.

Mary Moriarty spent her entire career trying to keep people out of prison as a public defender. After being ousted as Hennepin County’s Chief Public Defender, she’s now running to be county attorney to transform an agency she spent decades fighting against. If Moriarty wins, Minneapolis and its suburbs would follow cities like San Francisco and Philadelphia in electing a defense attorney who promise to remake the prosecutor’s office — replacing a tough on crime agenda with one of criminal justice reform.

The Minnesota Legislature hasn’t successfully redrawn legislative and congressional districts on time without intervention by the courts in 140 years. This time around looks to be no different. For the past 50 years, the courts have taken to drawing them when the Legislature reliably fails to agree to new boundaries. The courts don't do this unprompted — a private citizen must file a lawsuit to ensure Minnesota residents have equal representation in the Legislature and Congress. Peter Wattson, a retired attorney for the Minnesota Senate, took up the mantle of suing the state this year after the 2020 census. He explains Minnesota's 140 years of redistricting failure, his idea for a better way and the problem with relying on the courts.

The Minnesota Republican Party needs a new leader. But it’s a job few people want. The federal indictment of a major Minnesota GOP donor on charges of sex trafficking minors set in motion a series of events that led to the ouster of party chair Jennifer Carnahan. The crisis in leadership comes on top of persistent financial troubles and a 15-year losing streak in statewide elections. Reformer reporter Ricardo Lopez explains how Carnahan lost her grip on power and what’s next for the Minnesota Republican Party.

Minnesota can’t fill thousands of job vacancies for home care workers — the people who help the state’s disabled and growing elderly population bathe, get dressed, eat, exercise and otherwise enjoy dignified lives. The cause of the shortage is easy to identify: The job is physically grueling with high rates of workplace injury, while low wages keep people on the edge of being able to pay their bills. Nearly half of home care workers in Minnesota receive some form of public assistance. The shortage has dire consequences for people who can’t find reliable care, while it also has ripple effects throughout the labor market. Due to the shortage of home care workers, people are increasingly having to quit their jobs to become personal care aides for their loved ones. This week, the stories of two personal care aides.