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 "drought" ...
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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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In Short Supply
An investigation in the Express-News looks into the fact that "Texas is headed toward a crisis when it comes to meeting its future water needs." As the population continues to grow, the water supplies have not kept pace, and state officials says Texas will have "18 percent less water and twice the number of people by 2060 if it continues on its current course."
Tags: Texas Panhandle; water shortage; drought; water crisis; water supply; population outpacing resources
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Water Thieves
When Colorado was in the midst of a severe drought, a street sweeping company was stealing water from the local municipalities. The New4 investigation team videotaped these incidences or almost three months and aired an interview with the owner of the company.
Tags: Colorado draught; water problems; Denver municipalities; street cleaning companies; city of Johnstown; Great American Sweepers
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The Water Barons
This project reveals and documents the increasingly common privatization of public drinking water systems worldwide and examines the impact of this new form of globalization. Three private water utilities companies, all based in France, dominate the worldwide market. This project raises concerns that a few companies could soon control a large chunk of the world's most vital resource. 31 researchers, writers and editors were involved in this twelve month investigation.
Tags: water; privatization; globalization; drought
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Leasing the Rain
As fresh water resources continue to deplete and privatization increases, more and more people are facing the hard facts of a water shortage. Finnegan examines some of the numbers outlining this growing problem and looks at a few cases where the clash between necessity and privatization of resources has already begun.
Tags: Water; drought; natural resources; privatization
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Not Wet Enough: Even in the most unlikely places, local governments are grappling with demands for water that exceed existing supplies. And conservation isn't turnng out to be easy or cheap.
Many cities with blooming populations expect to suffer from a water shortage in the near future. This article explains how different city governments are preparing to deal with the issue.
Tags: American Water Works Association; AWWA; shortage; drought; groundwater; aquifers
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The Uncertain Season: The Farm Crisis in Georgia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's series on the farm crisis in Georgia. It takes a look at farm families and the effects of drought.
Tags: farming; farmers; drought; Georgia; peanuts; cotton; Georgia farmers; Freedom to Farm Act
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Rivers down to barest of levels
"A USA Today analysis found that scores of the nation's rivers fell to historic low levels during the past four months."
Tags: drought; water; rivers; weather; precipitation; flooding
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Florida's Water Crisis
The Orlando Sentinel published a 12-chapter series "of special reports focusing attention on what many experts see as the state's long-term water crisis." The most critical issues faced by Floridians include decreasing water supplies, more factors leading to lower water quality and scientific and political barriers to long-term solutions.
Tags: water; Florida; groundwater; drought; aquifers; rainfall; St. Johns River; wetlands; springs; wildlife; environment; lakes; septic-tank contamination; pollution; gas tanks; desalination plant
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Liquid Assets: A Water-Policy Critic Tries Going Corporate To Tap New Market
The Wall Street Journal reports on the emerging of a private market "to acquire, store and ship huge quantities of water across the arid region" of Sausalito, California. The story examines the new corporate role of author Marc Reisner, who has become a player in the fledgeling water business. The article looks at factors that can potentially contribute to drought in the West, and examines the industry expectations for agreements, mergers and acquisitions among the largest water companies. The reporter also sheds light on the environmentalists' standpoint and finds that some are opposed, but many welcome a private water market, since it is expected "to bring new efficiencies to the arena, making more water available fro fish and wildlife."
Tags: agriculture; farming; drought; U.S. Filter; Vivendi; subsidies; politics; Vidler Water Co.; environment; wildlife; "Cadillac Desert"; Sierra Club