Jessie Van Berkel
Reporter
Social ServicesShe has worked for the paper since 2014, primarily covering state government and politics. She has also reported on the city of St. Paul and the Twin Cities’ southern suburbs.
Jessie previously wrote for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, The Post-Crescent, The Seattle Times, The Oregonian and MinnPost. She graduated from the University of Minnesota. Outside of work, she can usually be found planning her next trip, outdoor adventure or cooking project.
Latest from Jessie Van Berkel
Ex-FBI agent faults state for failing to ‘hold people accountable’ for fraud
The report from Program Integrity Director Tim O’Malley comes days into a Minnesota legislative session, and many of its recommended fixes require lawmakers’ approval.
February 23, 2026
Walz appoints Shireen Gandhi to lead embattled Department of Human Services
The governor formally appointed Gandhi to the top spot a little more than a year after she started running the state agency.
February 23, 2026
Editor's Pick
What to know about the massive social services fraud scandal in Minnesota
Providers who bilked housing, autism and day care programs thrust the state into the national spotlight.
February 18, 2026
Why is Minnesota so vulnerable to Medicaid fraud?
There are several tough-to-fix challenges in the state’s generous system that serves people with disabilities and the elderly.
February 13, 2026
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Minnesota creates fraud ‘fact check’ amid national political scrutiny
The state Department of Human Services’ webpage rebuts allegations and describes its “fight against fraud” in social services programs.
February 11, 2026
Report reveals widespread billing issues in Minnesota autism program
The Minnesota Department of Human Services hired Optum to look into 14 Medicaid-funded programs identified as vulnerable to fraud.
February 6, 2026
Minnesota to visit thousands of providers in fraud-fighting push
The state is checking on service providers in push to rebuild trust and prevent the federal government from withholding funds.
February 2, 2026
Editor's Pick
State agency whistleblowers say fraud concerns were ignored for years
Staff members at the Minnesota Department of Human Services say they’ve faced retaliation for bringing up red flags, long before social services fraud in Minnesota became national news.
January 31, 2026
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Minnesota Department of Human Services data breach impacts 300K
There is no evidence the personal information was misused, but the state is monitoring for fraudulent use of the data.
January 20, 2026
New fraud concerns surface in Minnesota medical transportation program
Providers and prosecutors have seen issues in the Medicaid-funded nonemergency medical transportation program for years. It’s the subject of a new video by conservative influencer Nick Shirley.
January 15, 2026
State appeals federal plan to withhold $2 billion in Medicaid funds
Federal officials say the state doesn’t have an adequate plan to combat Medicaid fraud, while state leaders call a potential payment pause politically motivated.
January 13, 2026
Seven takeaways from a new audit show major shortfalls in state monitoring of behavioral health grants
An audit found extensive problems with behavioral health grants and deeper concerns at the Department of Human Services.
January 8, 2026
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