A legal group fighting to free innocent prisoners avoided closure. Now it's hoping to grow

Last month, the Midwest Innocence Project alerted its supporters that it was on the brink of closure. The announcement came after the nonprofit had already cut its staff by 25%. The group now says it has raised $400,000 and is on firmer financial footing. Executive director Tahir Atwater said the crisis served as a "wake-up call" for the organization and its clients. Atwater and MIP legal director…