Resource Center

Stories

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 "logistics" ...

  • How the US Funds the Taliban

    This investigation uncovered Taliban insurgents reaping millions of dollars in Department of Defense contracts. "These contracts have become an immense boon for the Taliban, as security firms found that paying off the insurgents was the only way to get supplies through hostile territory to US troops." This has become a large part of the Taliban's income.

    Tags: Department of Defense; US military; logistics; Afghanistan; contracts; NCL Holdings; contractor; government; security official

    By Aram Roston; Betsy Reed; Esther Kaplan

    The Nation

    2009

  • The Business of War

    "The first ever in-depth analysis of Canadian government contracts with private companies in the war on terrorism in Afghanistan."

    Tags: terrorism; Afghanistan; Canada; logistics; soldiers; national security; Taliban; NATO

    By Mike Blanchfield; Andrew Mayeda

    CanWest News Service (Canada)

    2007

  • Franklin truck firm's fines among highest in industry

    "Federal records show widespread disregard for safety rules at JDC Logistics, a 500-tractor trucking firm based in suburban Milwaukee. Out of more than 50,000 truck and bus companies audited over the last six years by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to check compliance with the rules governing drivers' work hours, only six were fined more than JDC."

    Tags: trucking; transportation; logistics; hours; safety; tracking; JDC; drivers;

    By Rick Romell

    Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

    2007

  • Walking on Water

    The Pitch investigates the logistics of a "miracle story" and finds that the father that survived while his family of five was washed away in a flood might not be telling the entire story. The father, Robert Rogers, now accumulates his income by speaking at churches and inspirational events and selling CDs of his music.

    Tags: miracle; Christian; car accident; God; flood; church; dam; i-35; rescue

    By Kendrick Blackwood

    Pitch Weekly (Kansas City, Mo.)

    2004

  • Sobering the Waters

    Governing reports that "drunken boating kills hundreds of Americans every year. But the logistics of dealing with it aren't easy to handle." The story reveals that DUI laws are difficult to enforce when it comes to boating.

    Tags: boats; alcohol abuse; transportation; safety; homicide; boating accidents; law; blood alcohol threshold

    By Russ Freyman

    Governing

    1997

  • Research at What Cost

    The Chronicle of Higher Education follows the story of Shawn Wight, an Ohio graduate student who died of bacterial infection resulting from altitude sickness, after going to an international expedition to Tibet. The story reveals that the expedition, organized by the Ohio State University, failed to provide adequate safety plans, and lacked medical personnel, altitude medications and logistic support. The article details the symptoms of acute mountain sickness and describes "the young's man neurological problems at the top of the mountain." The Chronicle follows the wrongful-death lawsuit brought and ultimately won by the student's parents against the Ohio State, and looks at the lack of safety protocols for expeditions as a problem in general.

    Tags: emergency; international expeditions; mountain sickness; Ohio State University; Lonnie Thompson; Kathmandu; glaciers; courts; litigation; dehydration

    By Julianne Basinger

    Chronicle of Higher Education (Washington, D.C.)

    2001

  • Genetically Modified Foods: Are They Safe

    The story analyses whether genetically modified crops are an "environmental dream come true" or "disaster in the making." The author looks at the cost to wildlife, in particular the possible hazards that pollen from insect-resistant corn plants poses to the larvae of monarch butterflies. The reporter examines the worries that genes from GM crops may contaminate the surrounding plants. The investigation finds that "U.S. landscape logistics make it unlikely that herbicide-tolerant or Bt crops will spread their biotech genes," but "it might be harder to avoid creating superweeds elsewhere."

    Tags: pollen; transgenic crops; Environmental Protection Agency; agriculture; environment; viruses; species

    By Kathryn Brown

    Scientific American

    2001

  • None of the Above

    The New York Times reports that the standardized testing industry is coming off its three most problem-plagued years. Its missteps have affected millions of students who took standardized proficiency tests in at least 20 states. Despite these problems, President Bush is proposing a 50 percent increase in the workload of this tiny industry. Neither the proposal by the President nor the Congressional debate has addressed whether the industry can handle the daunting logistics of this additional business. This two part story examines the problems that currently exist in the testing industry and cites specific examples of scoring errors by the industry.

    Tags: Standardized testing; education reform; scoring errors

    By Diana B. Henriques and Jacques Steinberg

    New York Times

    2001

  • SWATs Under Fire

    National Journal reports that, "As they grow in number, SWAT teams are under attack for their invasive tactics and close links to the military. But defenders say they're essential in today's violent world."

    Tags: SWAT; police; paramilitary; criminal justice; criminology; National Tactical Officers Association; Defense Logistics Agency; State and Local Law Enforcement Equipment Procurement Program

    By Megan Twohey

    National Journal

    2000

  • Weapons Bazaar

    Every year the Pentagon declares all kinds of equipment -- attack helicopters, rocket launchers, even Stealth fighter parts -- "surplus," or unneeded. Then, through a little-known network of sales offices at military bases, these surplus items are sold to the highest bidder. U.S. News looks at the frightening problems of the surplus sales program. Many items fall into the wrong hands. One man built his own Cobra attack helicopter from surplus parts.

    Tags: military weapons; missiles; Defense Department; Defense Logistics Agency

    By Kevin Horan

    U.S. News & World Report

    1996