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 "USDA" ...
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Stamping Out Fraud: Uncovering Rogue Food Stamp Retailers
A Scripps Howard News Service investigation has found found dozens of individuals who have been banned as food stamp merchants yet nonetheless remained in business in communities across the country because of lax governmental oversight. Scripps later identified more flaws in the program's oversight: Convicted thieves and cheats are running food-stamp stores around the nation, even though federal law is supposed to prohibit them from doing so.
Tags: Food stamp retailers; USDA; crime; criminals
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The Cruelest Show On Earth
"The Cruelest Show on Earth" documents a disturbing history of injury, illness, abuse, and fatal accidents in Ringling's famed heard of performing elephants- and the chronic failure of the USDA to intervene, even at the urging of the agency's own investors.
Tags: Circus; animal cruelty; elephants; abuse; circus; Ringling circus
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Puppy Pipeline
The Post tracked a puppy mill pipeline stretching from the Ozarks to South Florida, one that brought thousands of sometimes-sick puppies from mass-operations to local pet stores. At least 2,500 puppies were delivered to Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties from out-of-states breeders in an 11-month period. Roughly one in three of those came from breeders or distributors cited for problems by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees wholesale dog breeding. Citations varied from keeping animals in too-small and rusting cages with exposed nails or wires, to caked feces, to infestations of roaches and other insects that covered the walls and ceilings of kennels. In dozens of cases, kennel owners averted USDA inspection entirely.
Tags: puppy mill; puppies; USDA; dog breeder; breeding; Department of Agriculture; animal mistreatment
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"Fowl Play"
In "Fowl Play," writer Tula Karras warns consumers of the potential dangers lurking in their chicken dinners. Arsenic and other harmful bacteria have been found in poultry, making it possible for those who consume it to become ill. Many chicken plants rely on "visual" safety "inspections" even though harmful bacteria cannot be seen by the "naked eye."
Tags: Chicken; poultry; campy; campylobacter infection; arsenic; gastrointestinal; USDA; bacteria; pathogens
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Following the Money: Earmarks and Waste
The series tracks and investigates "government waste and Congressional earmarks." It uncovered "NASA's extravagant parties, USDA assigning undercover agents to spy on Hemingway's cats, a Congressman spending your tax dollars on a monument to himself" and more.
Tags: money; federal spending; tax dollars; investments; earmarks; Congress; NASA; CDC; USDA; government
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A Natural Question
Organic food costs consumers extra, sometimes twice as much or more than the "normal" equivalent. This expenditure is justified by the idea that organic foods are healthier. Yet, a Dallas Morning News investigation found that "some organic farmers and plant workers cheat. For example, they spray banned chemicals on their crop, or they raise animals using methods contrary to organic rules." Also, the organizations intended to certify the organic providers sometimes "bend the rules, or they're just woefully unqualified to enforce them." Overseas operations also raise concerns, as they export organic foods, but the USDA is unable to monitor these exports well, and cannot enforce violations.
Tags: Organic foods; organic imports/exports; organic farmers; organic products
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Cotton Bailout: How your tax dollars turn markets upside down, prop up big growers and squeeze small farmers
"The series examined the impact of U.S. agricultural subsidies on small farmers in the United States and Africa, and investigated the buse of federal payment limits by large growers."
Tags: agriculture; AJC; Georgia; Congress; USDA; subsidy; subsidies; farming; growers; Africa; USA; United States
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Harvesting Cash
"Harvesting Cash examined waste, fraud and abuse in the multibillion-dollar system of federal agricultural subsidies crafted by Congress and administered by the USDA."
Tags: USDA; Congress; farming; realtors; Loan Deficiency Program; Livestock Compensation Program; powedered milk; drought; Federal Crop Insurance Program;
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Organic Inc: Natural Foods and How They Grew
This book traces organic food back to its anti-industrial origins more than a century ago. It describes the evolution of the organic food movement from then to the $11 billion industry it is today. The book shows how the evolving industry came close to betraying the ideals at the heart of its free-market success; this section includes battles over USDA regulations and the way food is produced.
Tags: agriculture; farming; groceries; grocery stores; USDA; FDA; fruits; vegetables
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The real deal?
this story is now filed under number 23183
Tags: organic; food; food standards; USDA;