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Uncovering The Truth in Minnesota

Uncovering The Truth in Minnesota

By Sarah Knieff and Izabel Johnson

We are an investigative podcast based out of the state of Minnesota. Unconstrained, unbiased, and driven for the truth, follow us as we use journalism to tell the untold stories of Minnesota. Join your Co-hosts, Sarah Knieff and Izabel Johnson, for weekly episodes released on Tuesdays!
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Season Three Wrap Up

Uncovering The Truth in Minnesota Feb 02, 2021

00:00
13:31
Season Three Wrap Up

Season Three Wrap Up

In the final episode of season three, we provide a case summary, contacts and source list for each of the three cases we covered this season. 

Feb 02, 202113:31
Minnesota Cold Cases: Cindy Joy Elias Part Two

Minnesota Cold Cases: Cindy Joy Elias Part Two

This week we discuss all that we have learned about the case of Cindy Joy Elias and provide you with a list of our sources. 

Jan 26, 202117:20
Minnesota Cold Cases: Cindy Joy Elias

Minnesota Cold Cases: Cindy Joy Elias

In this episode we discuss the unsolved case of the murder of Cindy Joy Elias in 1977. Featuring an interview with Lieutenant Nathan Skelton.
Jan 19, 202119:06
Minnesota Cold Cases: Checking In

Minnesota Cold Cases: Checking In

This episode is a short one. We briefly share where we are at with our ongoing investigations this season, and the sources we have reached out to regarding Rachel Anthony's case. Tune in next week as we talk to our first source about the case of Cindy Elias. 

Jan 12, 202105:05
Minnesota Cold Cases: Rachel Anthony Part Two

Minnesota Cold Cases: Rachel Anthony Part Two

We return after our holiday break to continue our discussion on the murder of Rachel Anthony. On this episode we speak with journalist Chelsey Perkins about her experience reporting on Anthony's case. 

Jan 05, 202133:37
Minnesota Cold Cases: Rachel Anthony

Minnesota Cold Cases: Rachel Anthony

This week we begin our look into our second cold case of this season: The murder of Rachel Anthony. 

Dec 15, 202013:30
Minnesota Cold Cases: Suzanne Sayles Part Two

Minnesota Cold Cases: Suzanne Sayles Part Two

In this episode we conclude our investigation into the cold case of Suzanne Sayles, pending updates.
Dec 08, 202021:21
Minnesota Cold Cases: Suzanne Sayles

Minnesota Cold Cases: Suzanne Sayles

We begin Season Three by looking into the unsolved murder and assault of Suzanne Sayles from 1979 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Dec 01, 202010:00
Season Two Wrap Up

Season Two Wrap Up

In this final episode of season two, we discuss what we have learned about sex trafficking in the community of Duluth, as well as the resources we found and the people we spoke to. You can also visit our social media pages for a resource list for how to get help if you are in a dangerous situation.
Nov 10, 202021:21
Sex Trafficking in Duluth: Part Six

Sex Trafficking in Duluth: Part Six

In this week's episode we talk with Mary Cowen, the Residential Program Manager for the Life House organization in Duluth, about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted sex trafficking in the community. 

Nov 03, 202037:20
Sex Trafficking in Duluth: Part Five

Sex Trafficking in Duluth: Part Five

This episode provides a brief background on the impact of COVID-19 on sex trafficking. We will be exploring this further in an interview with Mary Cowen from the Lifehouse organization in Duluth next week. 

Oct 27, 202023:31
Sex Trafficking in Duluth: Part Four

Sex Trafficking in Duluth: Part Four

This week's episode features an interview with Emily Larson, the mayor of Duluth, Minnesota, discussing sex trafficking in the city. We also provide a brief follow-up on the issue of maritime law and how it applies to human trafficking. 

Oct 20, 202037:55
Sex Trafficking in Duluth: Part Three

Sex Trafficking in Duluth: Part Three

This week we discuss the current sex trafficking situation in Duluth with Mel Alvar and Tatiana Bergum. Alvar serves as the Safe Harbor Regional Navigator at the Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA) in Duluth, Minnesota and Bergum is a Safe Harbor Program Coordinator at the North Homes Children and Family Services in Duluth. 

Oct 13, 202040:33
Sex Trafficking in Duluth: Part Two

Sex Trafficking in Duluth: Part Two

In this episode, we discuss what exactly human trafficking is and the differences between sex, organ and labor trafficking. We will also take a dive into some other facts around human trafficking in Minnesota and what we know so far.
Oct 06, 202032:58
Sex Trafficking in Duluth: Part One

Sex Trafficking in Duluth: Part One

This is the first episode of season two, where we will attempt to uncover and discuss the sex trafficking activity occurring in the city of Duluth, Minnesota.  This episode provides basic facts and statistics on sex trafficking in the state of Minnesota and features an interview with Theresa Fortliti, an executive director of an outreach program in St. Paul, Minnesota and a sex trafficking survivor. 

We hope this episode will provide you with some insight into the criminal activity surrounding sex trafficking and provide a baseline of information in order to prepare for a deeper dive.

Sep 29, 202034:48
Special Announcement

Special Announcement

Hey everyone. We just have a short announcement to make regarding changes that are going to be made to the show. Take a listen to see what we are changing.
Sep 28, 202001:26
Uncovering the Missing Persons Case of Hang Lee

Uncovering the Missing Persons Case of Hang Lee

Join us as we take a closer look at the disappearance of Hang Lee. Hang is from St. Paul, Minnesota and she disappeared in 1993 at the age of 17. She has never been found. Foul play is suspected, but not confirmed, and nobody has been charged.
Sep 22, 202023:18
Examining the Reker Sister Murders

Examining the Reker Sister Murders

Listen to our terrible small talk and then join us as we go down the rabbit hole of the unsolved murders of Mary and Susanne Reker.
Sep 08, 202031:05
Exploring Minnesota's 2015 Integrity D Rating

Exploring Minnesota's 2015 Integrity D Rating

Join us as we take a deep dive into the history of Minnesota's poor integrity rating and ask the question, "Has anything changed?"
Sep 01, 202027:32