The IRE office will be closed from December 25th to January 5th.
Posts by hdcoadmin
Law to protect news sources could backfire in some cases, experts say
Legal experts say the proposed federal shield law could actually diminish the protections some federal courts have recognized, the St. Louis Beacon reports. “Contrary to conventional wisdom, the proposed federal shield law backed by the press and President Barack Obama wouldn’t help reporters protect their sources in big national security cases, such as the recent…
Read MoreMinneapolis cops rarely disciplined in big-payout cases
The Star Tribune reports that Minneapolis police haven’t disciplined many of their officers accused of misconduct. “Despite nearly $14 million in payouts for alleged police misconduct over the past seven years, the Minneapolis Police Department rarely concluded that the officers involved did anything wrong, according to a Star Tribune analysis. Of 95 payouts from 2006…
Read MoreNow, you can’t ban guns at the public pool
ProPublica reports possible changes to gun laws in Charleston, W.Va. “For 20 years, Charleston has been an island of modest gun restrictions in a very pro-gun rights state. But its gun laws — including a ban on guns in city parks, pools and recreation centers — are now likely to be rolled back, the latest…
Read MoreIn California, incarcerated students fall through gaps in special education laws
The Center for Investigative Reporting looks into who is responsible for educating students with disabilities in jail. “California and federal laws allow students with disabilities to receive special education until age 22. But the laws are vague enough that deciding who should provide that education is unclear.”
Read MoreTerrorism fears have led government to cloak the danger of hazardous chemical plants
The Houston Chronicle published the results of an Associated Press investigation that used public records to find hazardous chemicals stored in the U.S. “Around the country, hundreds of buildings like the one in West store some type of ammonium nitrate. They sit in quiet fields and by riverside docks, in business districts and around the…
Read MoreExtra Extra Monday: terrorism fears and chemical plants, mental health gaps, factory farm pollution
Terrorism fears have led government to cloak the danger of hazardous chemical plants | The Houston Chronicle“Around the country, hundreds of buildings like the one in West store some type of ammonium nitrate. They sit in quiet fields and by riverside docks, in business districts and around the corner from schools, hospitals and day care…
Read MoreTwo days till IRE 2013 early registration and mentoring registration deadlines
Two days are left to get the early registration rate and to register for mentoring at the 2013 IRE Conference in San Antonio. Both deadlines are 7 p.m. CT on June 5. At IRE 2013 you’ll find panels devoted to transparency, government secrecy and ongoing issues regarding leaks and whistleblowers at the federal level. You’ll…
Read MoreDon’t miss at IRE 2013: How to investigate on your beat
No matter your beat, there’s a session at the 2013 IRE Conference that can help you investigate it. The conference has sessions on how to launch investigations while working on any beat, such as every day data and building sources on the beat, as well as several panels with investigation ideas for specific beats. Check…
Read MoreSecurity lapse exposes some subsidized phone service customers to ID theft risk
“Tens of thousands of applicants to a federal program subsidizing phone service for the poor have been placed at heightened risk for identity theft. Through a simple Google search, Scripps News uncovered more than 170,000 Lifeline applications and supporting records — many containing full Social Security numbers, birth dates, drivers licenses numbers and food stamp…
Read MoreSome traffic violators getting off with bribes in South Africa
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, 65% of fatal crashes that happen on weekends, in South Africa, are because of alcohol abuse by drivers and pedestrians. However, in a report filed by Kirsti Buick, a journalism student from Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa, many drivers are getting off with paying a bribe, “some…
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