Articles In This Issue

• Senator Johnson Investigates Fraud in Minnesota, Demands Audit and Inspection Records - Sen. Ron Johnson

• Signs of the Times - David Blaska

• Epstein…Epstein Who? - Tom Stiglich

Senator Johnson Investigates Fraud in Minnesota, Demands Audit and Inspection Records

Senator Ron Johnson - February 4, 2026

On Feb. 3, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, wrote to Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Temporary Commissioner Shireen Gandhi requesting records related to oversight failures, fraud detection, and program-integrity controls across 14 Medicaid service categories designated by Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) as “high-risk,” as well as Minnesota’s child care assistance program. A copy of the letter was sent to Gov. Walz.

The letter follows recent public reporting on fraud in Minnesota, including a YouTube video by Nick Shirley that highlighted potentially $111 million in improper payments and fraud at child care centers across Minnesota and raised serious questions about whether existing oversight mechanisms at DHS were sufficient to detect and prevent fraud.

“At the very least, routine DHS oversight should have identified obvious program-integrity red flags at child care centers receiving unusually large payments relative to their licensed capacity,” Chairman Johnson wrote.

In the letter, the chairman enclosed a list of over 70 examples of child care businesses in Minnesota that received over $1 million in annual payments from the state in 2024. He demanded audit and inspection records connected to those entities.

Signs of the Times

David Blaska, Blaska Policy Werkes - February 6, 2026

In a few weeks political yard signs will sprout like dandelions on a No Mow lawn in progressive Madison — alongside the ubiquitous “In This House We Believe …” signs. (Notice? God is never among the listed.)

Candidates who take Blaska’s advice do so at their own peril but we do believe in Keep It Simple, Stupid. (Sometimes simple AND stupid!) Resist the urge to cram your life’s story onto a 18” x 24” sign, is our advice. Drivers are distracted enough negotiating Mayor Satya’s express bus lanes. Yard signs for our first campaign read like Charles Dickens — a little wordy. Displayed name, office sought, date of the election, and the imperative “Vote!” (Always thought the word should be followed with the interjection, “Dammit!”) Some candidates can’t resist a slogan, something inane like “Fighting For You!” Maybe shoehorn in a graphic; conservatives go for an American flag, progressives throw up a raised fist. (INJUSTICE! It’s everywhere!)

Epstein…Epstein Who?

Tom Stiglich, Creators Syndicate - February 16, 2026