Joe Augustine
Joe Augustine joined FOX 9 as the Executive Producer of Investigations and Documentaries in 2024.
He has worked in the Twin Cities as a general assignment reporter and investigative journalist since 2014.
Prior to coming to Minnesota, Joe worked as a reporter in Des Moines, Iowa, and south Texas. In the Rio Grande Valley, Joe covered the immigration crisis, local corruption, and the impact of human smuggling.
Joe grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin –home of the best polka band in the Midwest. He graduated from the University of Iowa and enjoys hearing the "Who hates Iowa?" chant any time he attends a Gophers game.
Joe and his wife live in the west metro where their three children will likely inspire numerous noise ordinances.
The latest from Joe Augustine
Walz signs Larry's Law banning no lift policies in assisted living
Gov. Tim Walz signed Larry’s Law at the end of the legislative session which essentially bans "no lift" or "no touch" policies in assisted living facilities.
Medicaid in Minnesota: Fraudsters owe millions but pay back little
The FOX 9 Investigators are following stolen Medicaid funding and tracking what happens after providers are convicted of fraud.
A Medicaid provider was banned for fraud. She kept billing.
A former fraud prosecutor said Managed Care Organizations and the Department of Human Services were “asleep at the wheel."
UCare’s Medicaid payouts more than doubled before insurer’s downfall
UCare’s Medicaid payouts more than doubled in just three years, leading to record losses, the insurer’s demise and a trail of unpaid debts that are threatening to destabilize the state’s healthcare system.
How Medicaid funding flows through Minnesota
Minnesota has been in the national spotlight for months because of the massive amount of fraud uncovered in numerous Medicaid programs. Gov. Tim Walz now wants to eliminate Managed Care Organizations from the state's Medicaid system to combat fraud.
Walz wants to eliminate Managed Care Organizations from Medicaid system
A former state prosecutor said the private insurance companies that manage most of the Medicaid care in Minnesota were also “asleep at the wheel" when it came to detecting fraud.
Mayo Clinic, other hospitals concerned UCare won’t fully repay $500m debt
UCare owes nearly a half billion dollars to the four largest hospital systems in Minnesota and hasn’t made payments in months.
Hennepin Healthcare’s financial crisis accelerating due to UCare demise
Hennepin Healthcare’s budget crisis will likely accelerate because of a $115 million debt that UCare stopped making payments on when it started winding down operations late last year, according to court transcripts.
ICE is frustrating judges and exhausting DOJ attorneys
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is struggling to tread water as it deals with a flood of legal challenges, violations of court orders and frustrated judges.
DHS Audit: $1 billion in Medicaid funding vulnerable to fraud
A third-party audit of the Minnesota Department of Human Services identified more than $1 billion in Medicaid funding that may be vulnerable to waste, fraud and abuse.