Federal Oversight and Audits

Following a viral video by independent journalist Nick Shirley alleging empty day care centers receiving state subsidies, HHS announced it was freezing federal child-care payments to Minnesota and imposed new verification rules as DHS, FBI, ICE and other federal agencies surged investigations and enforcement in the state. State inspectors subsequently found most centers cited in the video operating with recent visits and children present (while noting safety and cleanliness violations and opening probes at some sites), though one highlighted facility, Quality Learning Center, later closed amid the scrutiny and operators have reported threats and harassment.