Federal regulators are looking into the growing use of arrest warrants in Minnesota over unpaid debts, following a Star Tribune investigation and a letter calling attention to the practice from Sen. Al Franken.

A staff attorney with the Federal Trade Commission said Thursday the agency is trying to determine why debtors are being jailed in this state, and if they have been notified properly of any debt collection claims made against them in court. The agency said it was responding to a letter ...