Posts by hdcoadmin
N.J. Megan’s Law deemed one of nation’s weakest
A team or reporters and editors with the Gannett New Jersey newspapers and Gannett News Service examine loopholes in Megan’s Law in a three-part series. The investigation found that New Jersey’s law stands as one of the weakest in the nation in immediately warning residents when an offender moves into their neighborhood. “In New Jersey,…
Read MoreWash. court records improperly sealed
Ken Armstrong, Justin Mayo and Steve Miletich of The Seattle Times used court records to show that since 1990, at least 420 civil suits have been sealed in King County, Wa. “These sealed records hold secrets of potential dangers in our medicine cabinets and refrigerators; of molesters in our day-care centers, schools and churches; of…
Read MoreRetrofits offer limited earthquake protection
Thomas Peele and Jessica Guynn of Contra Costa Times found that despite houses being retrofitted to keep them safe during an earthquake, less than a third of the houses inspected would survive a major earthquake. In an investigation of 35 retrofitted houses, the newspaper found that in 24 of the 35 homes , residents might…
Read MoreFederal cases shrouded in secrecy
Michael J. Sniffen and John Solomon of the Associated Press used court records to show that despite the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of public trials, nearly all records are being kept secret for more than 5,000 defendants who completed their journey through the federal courts over the past three years. The investigation found that most of…
Read MoreRCFP finds cases disappear into hidden dockets
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press’ quarterly magazine, The News Media & the Law, reports “more than 450 cases in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., were completely hidden from the public through the use of a hidden docketing system that two federal appeals courts have declared unconstitutional.” The report, written by Reporters…
Read MoreLack of tough measures result in deaths
Gregg Jones and Doug Swanson of The Dallas Morning News use a fatal 2004 truck accident near Dallas to illustrate many of the problems in the trucking industry. Miroslaw Jozwiak, a Polish immigrant, plowed the commercial truck he was driving into incoming traffic in 2004, killing 10 people, including three children. The investigation found that…
Read MoreBooming housing industry slows in South Fla.
Matthew Haggman, Lisa Arthur and Tim Henderson of The Miami Herald analyzed home sales over the past five years and found South Florida has gone through the most explosive housing boom in its history. “The land rush has transformed just about every corner and corridor of the region, sending prices skyward since 2000 — more…
Read MoreCounty officials surf Internet during public meetings
Garrett Therolf and Matthew Waite of St. Petersburg Times used Internet records to show that three Pasco commissioners visited numerous Web sites during commission meetings over the past three years. The investigation found personal use of county computers has gotten rank-and-file county employees fired. “Like many other workplaces, the county uses software to track employees…
Read MoreStates progress in reform of lobbying laws
Leah Rush and David Jimenez of The Center for Public Integrity report that 24 states have worked to strengthen or improve electronic disclosure systems since the Center’s 2003 report, “Hired Guns.” Meanwhile, federal lobbying disclosure laws have not changed in the past eight years. Political scandals, in many cases, were the catalyst for changes in…
Read MoreJuvenile crimes treated harshly in Colorado
Miles Moffeit and Kevin Simpson of The Denver Post found Colorado has one of the harshest systems in the country for handling juveniles in the adult criminal justice system, in a four-part series looking at teen crimes. Prosecutors, wielding broad discretionary powers found in only 14 other states, convicted kids in 1,244 cases since 1998.…
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