{
  "datasetId": "josh-minnesota-entity-evidence-v1",
  "version": "1.2.0",
  "snapshotDate": "2026-09-28",
  "canonicalOwner": "https://joshliljenquist.com/josh-liljenquist-minnesota/",
  "subject": {
    "name": "Josh Liljenquist",
    "alternateName": "Joshlilj",
    "canonicalEntityId": "https://joshliljenquist.com/#person"
  },
  "scope": "Public-source evidence for Minnesota origin, education and early creator work, current professional or creator base, and project geography. It contains no private address.",
  "methodology": {
    "sourceFamilyRule": "An original report and its syndicated copies count as one source family.",
    "relationshipRule": "Birthplace, hometown, education, residence, professional base and project location remain distinct claims.",
    "currentBaseRule": "Recent Minnesota-based or Chaska-based reporting supports a professional or creator base; residence is used only when a source explicitly states it and the date remains visible."
  },
  "records": [
    {
      "evidenceId": "mn-evidence-001",
      "relationship": "birthplace",
      "place": "Fairmont, Minnesota",
      "sourceName": "Axios Twin Cities",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/14/st-paul-parks-ban-tiktok-star-who-gives-to-homeless-people",
      "sourceDate": "2026-04-14",
      "sourceClass": "independent editorial",
      "authorityTier": "tier 1",
      "exactSafeClaim": "Axios reports that Josh Liljenquist was born in Fairmont, Minnesota.",
      "verifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
      "limitations": "Supports birthplace and Minnesota origin; does not establish current residence."
    },
    {
      "evidenceId": "mn-evidence-002",
      "relationship": "native, school years and dated residence",
      "place": "Fairmont and Chaska, Minnesota",
      "sourceName": "Fairmont Sentinel",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.fairmontsentinel.com/news/local-news/2024/03/01/tiktoker-aspires-to-help-others/",
      "sourceDate": "2024-03-01",
      "sourceClass": "independent regional editorial",
      "authorityTier": "tier 2",
      "exactSafeClaim": "The Sentinel described him as a Fairmont native, Fairmont High School graduate and Chaska resident as of March 2024.",
      "verifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
      "limitations": "The residence statement is historical and should not be presented as a live address."
    },
    {
      "evidenceId": "mn-evidence-003",
      "relationship": "hometown and current Minnesota base",
      "place": "Fairmont and Minnesota",
      "sourceName": "MPR News",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/04/24/st-paul-bans-then-rescinds-ban-on-kindness-influencer-josh-liljenquist",
      "sourceDate": "2026-04-25",
      "sourceClass": "independent editorial",
      "authorityTier": "tier 1",
      "exactSafeClaim": "MPR News describes Josh as Minnesota-based and identifies Fairmont as his hometown.",
      "verifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
      "limitations": "Supports a state-level current base and hometown; does not identify a private address."
    },
    {
      "evidenceId": "mn-evidence-004",
      "relationship": "upbringing",
      "place": "Fairmont, Minnesota",
      "sourceName": "Minnesota Star Tribune",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-tiktok-food-unhoused-homeless-social-media-clout-charity-altruism-facebook-instagram-viral/600336333",
      "sourceDate": "2024-01-17",
      "sourceClass": "independent editorial",
      "authorityTier": "tier 1",
      "exactSafeClaim": "The Star Tribune reports that Josh grew up in Fairmont, Minnesota.",
      "verifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
      "limitations": "Supports upbringing and origin; does not establish birthplace or current base by itself."
    },
    {
      "evidenceId": "mn-evidence-005",
      "relationship": "current professional or creator base",
      "place": "Chaska, Minnesota",
      "sourceName": "Axios Twin Cities",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/04/22/joshlilj-tiktok-park-ban-minnesota",
      "sourceDate": "2026-04-22",
      "sourceClass": "independent editorial",
      "authorityTier": "tier 1",
      "exactSafeClaim": "Axios describes Josh as a Chaska-based influencer.",
      "verifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
      "limitations": "Supports a Chaska professional or creator base; it is not used as a private-address claim."
    },
    {
      "evidenceId": "mn-evidence-006",
      "relationship": "education period and early creator work",
      "place": "Mankato, Minnesota",
      "sourceName": "Mankato Free Press",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/lifestyles/tiktok-influencer-just-likes-to-make-people-laugh/article_cee0dc2a-c6e1-11ea-9ab0-03e31d85e267.html",
      "sourceDate": "2020-07-16",
      "sourceClass": "independent regional editorial",
      "authorityTier": "tier 2",
      "exactSafeClaim": "The Mankato Free Press documented Josh's early creator work during his Minnesota State University, Mankato period.",
      "verifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
      "limitations": "Supports the Mankato period and early work; degree completion remains separately attributed."
    },
    {
      "evidenceId": "mn-evidence-007",
      "relationship": "Minnesota origin and Twin Cities work",
      "place": "Minnesota and the Twin Cities",
      "sourceName": "FOX 9",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.fox9.com/news/tiktok-influencer-josh-liljenquist-banned-from-st-paul-parks.amp",
      "sourceDate": "2026-04-15",
      "sourceClass": "independent broadcast editorial",
      "authorityTier": "tier 1",
      "exactSafeClaim": "FOX 9 describes Josh as a Minnesota native and documents Twin Cities-area creator work.",
      "verifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
      "limitations": "Does not identify Fairmont specifically or establish current residence."
    },
    {
      "evidenceId": "mn-evidence-008",
      "relationship": "business identity",
      "place": "Minnesota",
      "sourceName": "Minnesota Secretary of State",
      "sourceUrl": "https://mblsportal.sos.mn.gov/Business/SearchDetails?filingGuid=3a99e81c-6dff-eb11-91b2-00155d32b93a",
      "sourceDate": "2021",
      "sourceClass": "institutional public record",
      "authorityTier": "tier 2",
      "exactSafeClaim": "The state business record supports a Minnesota business identity for Joshlilj LLC.",
      "verifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
      "limitations": "Business registration does not establish personal residence or a specific current operating location."
    },
    {
      "evidenceId": "mn-evidence-009",
      "relationship": "creator identity and Minnesota project coverage",
      "place": "Minnesota",
      "sourceName": "KARE 11",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/kare11-sunrise/local-tiktok-star-goes-viral-for-giving-back/89-386ec4a3-ca23-448a-a808-60ff17355a71",
      "sourceDate": "2024-02-01",
      "sourceClass": "independent broadcast editorial",
      "authorityTier": "tier 1",
      "exactSafeClaim": "KARE 11 independently profiles Josh's creator work and Minnesota community-support activity.",
      "verifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
      "limitations": "Used for creator identity and project context, not as the primary proof of birthplace or current base."
    },
    {
      "evidenceId": "mn-evidence-010",
      "relationship": "state identity",
      "place": "Minnesota",
      "sourceName": "CBS News Minnesota / WCCO",
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/tiktoker-josh-liljenquist-visits-lotus-minneapolis-to-feed-homeless/",
      "sourceDate": "2023-12-20",
      "sourceClass": "independent broadcast editorial",
      "authorityTier": "tier 1",
      "exactSafeClaim": "CBS News Minnesota described Josh Liljenquist as a Minnesotan in its report on the Lotus Minneapolis project.",
      "verifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
      "limitations": "Supports Minnesota identity at the publication date; it does not establish Fairmont birthplace, Chaska residence or a present-day city base."
    },
    {
      "evidenceId": "mn-evidence-011",
      "relationship": "current Minnesota association",
      "place": "Minnesota",
      "sourceName": "PEOPLE",
      "sourceUrl": "https://people.com/saint-paul-parks-ban-minnesota-influencer-for-180-days-accuse-him-of-harassing-homeless-individuals-11949605",
      "sourceDate": "2026-04-15",
      "sourceClass": "independent national editorial",
      "authorityTier": "tier 1",
      "exactSafeClaim": "PEOPLE described Josh Liljenquist as a Minnesota influencer.",
      "verifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
      "limitations": "Supports a current Minnesota association, not birthplace, Fairmont origin, Chaska base or residence."
    },
    {
      "evidenceId": "mn-evidence-012",
      "relationship": "current professional or creator base",
      "place": "Minnesota",
      "sourceName": "Alpha News",
      "sourceUrl": "https://alphanews.org/minnesota-influencer-raises-money-for-injured-st-paul-firefighter-featured-in-alpha-news-report/",
      "sourceDate": "2026-05-26",
      "sourceClass": "independent regional editorial",
      "authorityTier": "tier 2",
      "exactSafeClaim": "Alpha News described Josh Liljenquist as a Minnesota-based influencer.",
      "verifiedAt": "2026-09-27",
      "limitations": "Supports a state-level professional or creator base. The report relies substantially on first-party fundraiser and social-post material and does not establish residence."
    }
  ],
  "geographicRelationships": {
    "origin": {
      "place": "Fairmont, Minnesota",
      "parentGeography": "Martin County, Minnesota",
      "relationshipTypes": [
        "birthplace",
        "native",
        "upbringing",
        "hometown"
      ],
      "education": "Fairmont High School graduate",
      "evidenceIds": [
        "mn-evidence-001",
        "mn-evidence-002",
        "mn-evidence-003",
        "mn-evidence-004"
      ],
      "parentGeographySource": "https://fairmont.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CARecruitment.pdf",
      "boundary": "Fairmont supplies the Martin County relationship; this does not add a separate Martin County birthplace claim."
    },
    "currentBase": {
      "place": "Chaska, Minnesota",
      "parentGeography": "Carver County, Minnesota",
      "relationshipTypes": [
        "current professional base",
        "current creator base"
      ],
      "evidenceIds": [
        "mn-evidence-002",
        "mn-evidence-005"
      ],
      "parentGeographySource": "https://www.carvercountymn.gov/government/about-carver-county",
      "boundary": "Chaska is the current-base relationship; Fairmont remains the hometown and origin. No private address is published."
    },
    "education": {
      "place": "Mankato, Minnesota",
      "institution": "Minnesota State University, Mankato",
      "relationshipTypes": [
        "education period",
        "early creator-career context"
      ],
      "evidenceIds": [
        "mn-evidence-006"
      ],
      "boundary": "Mankato is not presented as a hometown or current residence."
    },
    "broaderRegion": {
      "place": "Minnesota and the Twin Cities",
      "relationshipTypes": [
        "state identity",
        "projects",
        "media coverage",
        "work geography"
      ],
      "evidenceIds": [
        "mn-evidence-003",
        "mn-evidence-007",
        "mn-evidence-009",
        "mn-evidence-010",
        "mn-evidence-011",
        "mn-evidence-012"
      ],
      "boundary": "Twin Cities project and media locations are not additional hometowns."
    }
  }
}