Tom Lyden
Tom Lyden has covered, and uncovered, some of the biggest stories in the Twin Cities in the last 26 years. His reports have led to new laws, put criminals behind bars, led to a politician's resignation, and a governor's open hostility.
In the last few years, Tom has focused on in-depth reporting as part of the FOX 9 Investigators. He uncovered a religious cult operating in Minnesota who’s leader, Victor Barnard, sexually assaulted his underage followers. His reporting lead to an international manhunt for Barnard, resulting in his capture, conviction, and incarceration.
His reporting on the mysterious death of conspiracy filmmaker David Crowley was also featured in a full length documentary.
Tom is part of FOX 9’s “jump team” to cover news far from home. He’s brought home stories to Minnesota viewers from New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, the massacre at Virginia Tech, and the hunt for serial killer Andrew Cunanan in Miami.
Tom has won more than 20 Regional Emmy Awards, and five Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for his reporting.
Tom graduated from Lewis and Clark College (B.A. International Affairs) in Portland, OR., and he has a masters degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
He started his journalism career in newspapers at the Daily Star Progress in La Habra, CA.
Tom is an obsessive tennis fan and a moderately good player (3.8 USTA rating). He lives in Minneapolis with his husband, Fred.
The latest from Tom Lyden
Mayor Frey: 'Minneapolis is turning the corner'
In a one-on-one interview, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he believes the city is turning the corner after the police killing of George Floyd and a summer of civic unrest.
Minneapolis outreach teams look to interrupt cycle of violence
There are moments when a night can go either way, teetering on the edge of peace and unrest.
Subject of Project Veritas voter fraud story says he was offered bribe
The subject of a Project Veritas voter fraud story says he was offered a bribe.
Project Veritas alleges election fraud, evidence scant
James O’Keefe, of the conservative propaganda operation Project Veritas, was back in the public spotlight and once again making an incendiary allegation: There was major election fraud in Minneapolis. One problem: The hard evidence of cash in exchange for votes was lacking, and some of the other conduct of collecting ballots might be perfectly legal.
Is U.S. crime wave due to ‘Minneapolis Effect’?
2020 may turn out to be one of the most violent years on record in Minneapolis with more than 400 shooting victims and 59 homicides so far, with more than three months of the year to go.
Minnesota man, ‘Son of Russia,’ indicted for espionage
Peter Debbins was born and raised in Minnesota, but according to an unsealed federal indictment, the former Green Beret has been talking to Russian intelligence agents for 20 years, had a secret code name, and considered himself a "son of Russia."
COVID-19 outbreak at Seneca plant in Glencoe possibly linked to seasonal workers
August in Minnesota brings sweet corn and hundreds of seasonal workers to the Seneca Foods packing facility in Glencoe. This year, it also brought COVID-19.
Lawmaker questions, attorney defends Minnesota Freedom Fund's cash bail practices after FOX 9 investigation
When two Minneapolis Police officers charged with aiding and abetting the murder of George Floyd bailed out jail, few people raised an eyebrow.
Minnesota nonprofit with $35M bails out those accused of violent crimes
A Minnesota nonprofit has bailed out defendants from Twin Cities jails charged with murder, violent felonies, and sex crimes, as it seeks to address a system that disproportionately incarcerates Black people and people of color.
Safety deposit boxes still out of reach at Wells Fargo damaged in Minneapolis riots
Below the burned out shell of a Wells Fargo Bank at 3030 Nicollet Avenue, across from the Fifth Police Precinct, is a massive vault with hundreds of safety deposit boxes containing customers’ important records and treasured valuables.