The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Debt" ...
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Indentured Students
In a year-long series, Bloomberg detailed how the $1 trillion in outstanding student loans has imprisoned borrowers in a lifetime of debt, enabling a host of predatory collections practices, misleading financial-aid offers and out-of-control college spending -- while politicians for decades ignored mounting danger signals.
Tags: Student loans; debts; financial aids; college expenses; politicians
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Debt Deception?
Although the financial crisis exposed the perils of predatory lending, some of the worst practices continue to elude regulators. The Center for Public Integrity's "Debt Deception" series takes a penetrating look at some of the most egregious lending practices afflicting consumers today.
Tags: financial crisis; debt; deception; lending practices
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California's Public Pension Dilemma
The Contra Costa Times found that California public employee pension systems are grossly underfunded; the benefits far exceeded the private sector and are regularly understated by the pension systems; the debts for state and local governments are huge; and the cost is being transferred over to future generations.
Tags: California; Public Pensions; State; Local; Government
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Debt and Debtor
"Debt and Debtor" examines New York University as a prolific generator of student debt. In fact, NYU create more student debt than any other not-for-profit school in the country- some students end up paying hundreds of thousands of dollars paying back and servicing the debt for their undergradaute NYU educations.
Tags: Debt; Debtor; New York University; NYU; education; undergraduate
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Factory Slaves
The investigation into the plight of migrant workers follows the story of a young girl who left her home in Cambodia on the promise of a good factory job but arrived only to become a debt-bonded slave.
Tags: migrant workers; slaves; Cambodia; Far East
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Debt-uty crisis
The four-day series detailed the controversial origins of the Knox County Sheriff's Office Pension Plan -- called the Uniformed Officers Pension Plan, UOPP -- and the ramifications its approval had on county finances. The series looked at how the plan was sold to the public on lies and bad information.
Tags: pension plan; sheriffs; Knox County
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Cars for Congress
At the height of the debt ceiling debate, the investigative team at WTTG pulled video from floor debates, news conferences and other sources to show how the very people demanding the nation make sacrifices by cutting the budget were the ones taking advantage of a Congressional loophole--allowing Congress to use government money to buy luxury cars.
Tags: congress; loopholes; debt ceiling debate; breaking news; broadcast
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Debt Settlement/Abusive Debt Collection
Debt settlement company complaints are on the rise. The story shows how one family in Minnesota turned to a debt settlement company for help and ended up with increased debt as a result.
Tags: debt settlement; scam; credit card debt; debt; consumer; credit solution disputes
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"Hounded:Debtors and the new breed of collectors"
In this series, reporters Chris Serres and Glenn Howatt reveal how debt collection has become a "profitable industry." In additional to missteps taken by collection agencies, this series also reveals how people are being arrested for failing to pay bills. Their bail has often been set at the exact amount of the debt that they owe.
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Gambling on Growth
For years, St. Cloud-area cities have used public financing to pay upfront for improving roads and extending water and sewer utilities to new housing developments. Developers were supposed to pay off the debt through assessments, but many are falling behind on payments, leaving cities to bear the cost.
Tags: Developers; Finance; City Budget; Utilities; Housing; Roads; Funding; Loans; Debt