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
Former Wisconsin Superintendent made offer to repay some money
In January, as former Wisconsin superintendent Tim Johnson was under investigation for allegedly defrauding the Glenwood City School District, he made an offer to the school district through his attorney: Johnson would repay $44,000 if the school district refused to cooperate with law enforcement.
Former Wisconsin Superintendent charged with theft of quarter million from district
The former superintendent of the Glenwood City School District, Tim Johnson, was charged this afternoon with 17 felonies for the theft of $290,000 from the district.
Wisconsin school district audit shows former superintendent’s fraud
The Glenwood City School District has released a much-anticipated forensic financial audit that shows its former superintendent fraudulently received $290,792 in educational stipends, benefits and reimbursements.
Former Wisconsin superintendent asks court to stop release of audit
A former Wisconsin school superintendent is trying to stop the public release of a forensic audit expected to detail allegations of financial fraud during his time leading the school district. The St. Croix County District Attorney and federal prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin have been reviewing the audit for possible criminal charges.
Wisconsin school district investigating fmr. superintendent
A Wisconsin school district is investigating whether its former superintendent improperly billed the district for thousands of dollars in continuing education classes he never took.
Rep. Grossell DWI arrest video: 'Do you see a whole lot of sense in this?'
"I'm not going to treat you any different than anyone else because of who you are and how we know each other." FOX 9 obtained squad car video and partial audio of Rep. Matt Grossell's drunk driving arrest through a public records request.
‘He wasn’t Tommy’: Family shares story of inhalant death
Tommy Byers had been inhaling compressed air – also known as huffing – for a quick and ultimately, deadly high.
Prosecutors: Review of cold case from ‘scratch’ after resubmission
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is promising to review a cold case “again from scratch with multiple senior attorneys" after the case was resubmitted by Maple Grove police nearly 14 years later.
Maple Grove police submit cold case for charges
Maple Grove Police submitted the Rob Anderson cold case to prosecutors last week for possible manslaughter charges, but his family hopes murder charges will be considered as well. Anderson, 19, died mysteriously during a night of underage drinking in the basement of a friend’s house in the early morning hours of December 4, 2009.