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 "cats" ...
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Fields of Fraud
The most sweeping proposed reform of U.S. agricultural assistance since the Great Depression would replace most direct payments to farmers with federally-backed crop insurance—a change that is designed to save money. But this CNBC investigation finds the change could open the door to massive fraud. http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000097737&play=1
Tags: agriculture; fraud; tomato; U.S. Department of Agriculture; farming
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Local officials are likely to profit from fracking in Southern Tier
Local government officials have been lobbying the state to the controversial oil and gas extraction process known as fracking. But when they spoke at public hearings and pushed in other forums, were they just representing their communities, or did they have more at stake? In a four-month investigation, SUNY New Paltz students reviewed thousands of public records in two states. The investigation found more than 30 locally elected officials who have been outspoken proponents for fracking. Public records and additional examinations identified about 20 percent of those with more than political philosophy at stake — the chance to gain personally and financially. To open government advocates such as Common Cause, these instances raise concerns about transparency and conflicts of interest among locally elected officials. About six months after publication, and after further moves by local officials to press the state to approve fracking, the state attorney general has launched inquiries into whether local officials have violated conflicts of interest.
Tags: Oil; gas; oil and gas extraction; fracking
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Colorado Humane Society
"Using informed sources and dozens of hours of hidden camera investigating, the 7 News investigative team uncovered fraud, mismanagement, a lack of fiscal accountability, a failure to follow sate laws and inadequate and improper care" of animals at the Colorado Humane Society.
Tags: animal cruelty; humane society; fraud; state government; whistleblower; hidden camera; euthanasia; cat; dog; pet; donations; federal regulations; vaccines
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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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Allerca
Allerca is a biotechnology firm in San Diego, which claimed to have engineered the world's first hypoallergenic cats. Though the cats recieved a lot of media attention, this investigation was the first to take a hard look at the company and its founder, Simon Brodie. The investigation uncovered a string of debts, umpaid employees, court judgements, and a fraudulent and illegal fake charity website.
Tags: animals; biotechnology; public records; business; business ethics; Allerca foundation; cats
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Conduct unbecoming-- 2005
Post-Intelligencer reporters exposed numerous cases of crime and abuse in the King County Sheriff's Department. Several officers were allowed to retire rather than face criminal charges for misconduct. One officer's gun was stolen by his roommate, who used the weapon to murder a convenience store clerk. Another officer was promoted to master police officer and trainer despite a long history of misconduct. The sheriff's office failed to discipline other officers with long records of abuse and crime, as well.
Tags: police; sheriff; King County sheriff's department; FOI; police brutality; misconduct; oversight; police officer's union; corruption; crime
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Death by the Pound
The rate at which the San Antonio city pound kills cats and dogs is high as compared to other larger cities. In spite of this the city has not being doing anything to increase the rate of adoption. While reporting about this story, Lisa Sandburg also found that the pound staffers were keeping and killing the animals in an inhumane manner.
Tags: dogs and cats; euthanasia of animals; San Antonio city pound; adoption of animals; inhumane killing of animals
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Disposable Lives
"Tens of thousands of unwanted dogs and cats are killed in public shelters in the Inland empire. Before they meet that fate, many of them roam the streets as strays, creating public health and safety problems and lowering the quality of life for everyone. Although the problems begin with irresponsible pet owners, public officials also bear some of the blame, for not taking action.
Tags: shelters; animals; humane society
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House of Horrors
This story investigates an animal shelter which was rampantly killing dogs and cats in their care. The director of the shelter was the main cause of these killings. The reporter found that the shelter had a low adoption record and killed nearly 80 percent of the animals that were kept there. County officials though on the other hand maintain that these allegations against the shelter were baseless.
Tags: None
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"Killer Tax"
An in-depth look at the alternative minimum tax. Authors cite many examples of taxpayers who aren't "fat cats" but end up paying lots of AMT. The article suggests ways taxpayers can avoid getting stuck with such liability. Has lots of detail about the different situations and the ways the AMT works.
Tags: AMT; alternative minimum tax; taxpayers; IRS; liability; tax shelter; investing; investment; financial planning