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 "meteorology" ...
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Blind Eye
This series analyzes the problems and failures of the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The center lacks funds and up-to-date instruments, and sometimes expensive equipment fails in severe weather conditions. The two hurricane hunter turboprop planes that belong to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are frequently unavailable to track hurricanes because they are diverted to other jobs that have little or nothing to do with weather.
Tags: National weather service; hurricanes; meteorology; weather predictions
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Professor Peter Ray; Love Nest at Love Hall
The Ledger exposes wrongdoing by Dr. Peter Ray, a meteorology professor at Florida State University. The first story sheds light on misuse of public money for a hurricane research truck requested by the professor. The rest of the series reports on married Ray's pattern of sexually harassing students and colleagues at FSU. Although five women accused him of harassment and he admitted having a relationship with 19-year-old student Melissa Sanders, Allen reports, the university finds no wrongdoing, but takes away his department chairmanship. The stories include copies of the professor's archived e-mails to the student.
Tags: budget; sexual harassment; higher education; women; sexual affair; Doppler; weather experts
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Thirty Mile Fire
Seattle Times investigates the death of four firefighters who "were trapped by wildfire in a pinched valley in north-central Washington State" on July 10, 2001. The series reveals that "despite obvious evidence of danger, front-line bosses misjudged the explosive conditions present that day ... [and] pushed firefighters to battle a blaze even though the fire threatened no homes or businesses." Numerous safety rules were ignored, and officials knew that firefighter fatalities follow a pattern, the Times reports. The main finding is that "a fire-fighting culture in which extinguishing fires - not safety - remains the top priority."
Tags: FOIA requests; Forest Service; wildlife; Endangered Species Act; protected natural areas; Okanogan National Forest Plan; decision-making under pressure; organizational behavior; meteorology