Tom Lyden

Journalist. No longer here (on Twitter-X). Cultivating my own garden in the Sierra foothills. For inquiries: [email protected].

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

—30–
https://t.co/rqHOdg84J4

[California Free Agent @CAFreeAgent]

Yosemite National Park Supt. Ray McPadden bristled at headlines about overcrowding in the park. Blaming activists who have a specific idea of “what the park experience should be like.” Free link below.

[California Free Agent @CAFreeAgent]

Yosemite National Park is officially closed due to heavy snowfall, road closures and potential avalanche conditions. Closure remains in effect until Midnight Friday. Those with lodging reservations may still enter the park via Hwy 140 (Arch Rock) entrance.

[California Free Agent @CAFreeAgent]

No vehicle reservation system this summer for Yosemite National Park. https://t.co/jpScGQ1H2L

[California Free Agent @CAFreeAgent]

No vehicle reservations required for Yosemite Firefall in February. Supt. McPadden says he's recommending no vehicle reservations for summer too, but Interior Dept. must decide. Link below.

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

@stephenrodrick It was a wonderful tribute that captured her and the profound loss. So many of the vignettes I've heard from her life have a common theme of humor and grace. You really captured that. People really needed this story.

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

And a colorful profile of the musician who blew the whistle.
https://t.co/g7u4iedAmb

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

Back in the saddle again! I’m helping out the @MariposaGazette with a story about the local DA, who resigned last week after the paper provided the sheriff with text messages from a Merced man who says he sold methamphetamine to the DA 40 to 50 times. Free links below.

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

Here’s the A1 story with all the details.
https://t.co/G4QhbrYtrT

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

@MikeEdgerly53 I know. I’ve always known. This is my lot.

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

In my lifetime, this will always be the demarcation event for a true Minnesotan.

[Minnesota Historical Society @mnhs]

On October 31, 1991, the snow began to fall in the early to mid-afternoon and fell steadily for almost three days. When it stopped, snow measured over thirty inches in the eastern part of Minnesota, from Duluth to Dodge Center, breaking a record set in 1882.

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

@MikeEdgerly53 Moved to Minneapolis September 1993. Husband always rubs it in, reminds me I will never be part of the club.

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

@plattMSP Totally agree. Mayo, and other health care companies, are also reliable advertisers. Those marketing dollars go somewhere.

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

Comprehensive reporting here on how Walz — and all of MN for that matter — is a door mat for Mayo. No secret in Albert Lea.

[Max Nesterak @maxnesterak]

The Mayo Clinic has a proven track record of winning policy battles to protect its bottom line. One of its biggest fans is vice presidential candidate Tim Walz. by @Lussenpop and me for @propublica https://t.co/mOGHnZZUVY

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

A former Wisconsin school superintendent offered the district $44K to make problems and police go away. https://t.co/Z8vVOs7eB8

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

For two years a former Wisconsin superintendent accused of forging continuing education receipts said it was a "witch hunt." Today he was charged with 17 felony counts for stealing $290K. https://t.co/kfB3sOLSvv

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

Johnson resigned from the school district May 23 after we began digging into the story. After our initial story in January he resigned from another job with the Chippewa School District. He is not in custody. Initial court appearance will be November 21.

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

The former superintendent of the Glenwood City School District, Tim Johnson, was charged this afternoon with 17 felonies for his theft of $256,000 via theft, forgery, and money laundering. I first revealed the investigation in January.
https://t.co/5yf2baWRsi

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

According to the charges, Johnson claimed $75K for reimbursement for classes he never took, and $125,000 in annual stipends for the cost of graduate courses. He also claimed $38K as the districts special education instructor when he lacked the credentials.

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

Tim Johnson arrogantly denied everything when I first approached him 18 months ago and said it was a witch hunt. And the school board president, Lisa Kaiser, backed him up all the way. Kaiser, and the rest of the board, has a lot to answer for obfuscating.

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

None of this would've been exposed without Amy Dopkins (who is owed a HUGE apology for the grief she got), former school board member Nicole Miller, and new superintendent Patrick Olson. Good people who did the right thing.

[Tom Lyden @LydenFreeAgent]

Tim Johnson was charged today with 14 felonies: theft, money laundering, forgery, and misconduct in public office. The nature of the crimes were outlined in a forensic audit requested by the new superintendent, Patrick Olson. In August https://t.co/fXDW4utViV