The Preamble

The War on Drugs, and the Truth Behind the Viral Claims of Fraud at Minnesota Daycares

Jan 19, 2026
Journalist Beth Macy, acclaimed for her insights into the opioid crisis and author of 'Dopesick,' discusses the profound impact of the War on Drugs on U.S. military actions and communities grappling with addiction and poverty. She shares harrowing stories, including that of Silas James, highlighting the dire consequences of opioid abuse. The conversation also dives into viral allegations of fraud at Minnesota daycares, where investigations reveal the reality behind these claims, contrasting them with misinformation spreading on social media.
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ANECDOTE

Paper Girl Origins

  • Beth Macy began as a paper girl to earn money for clothes and a school trip, which taught her negotiation and persistence.
  • That early hustle directly prepared her for a 30-year newspaper career and later book writing.
ANECDOTE

Family Schism Over Politics

  • Beth Macy recounts family rifts after the 2016–2020 political shifts, including her brother unfriending her on Facebook.
  • The rupture peaked when her sister declared the 2020 election "fraudulent" at their mother's deathbed.
INSIGHT

Individual Story Reflects Systemic Decline

  • Macy uses a single young man, Silas, as a lens to show how structural changes made upward mobility harder.
  • Data on foster care, mental-health calls, and graduation rates confirmed the town's decline.
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