The IRE office will be closed from December 25th to January 5th.
Blog
Los Angeles Times reporters Charles Piller and Doug Smith found that for-profit fundraisers in California are collecting significant amounts, while the nonprofits they claim to support see little of the money. “In more than 5,800 campaigns on behalf of charities that were registered with the state attorney general from 1997 to 2006, the fundraisers reported…
Read MoreMarshall Allen and Alex Richards of the Las Vegas Sun investigated the prevalence of use and abuse of prescription narcotics in Nevada. The Sun’s analysis showed that “Nevadans consume about twice the national average of several prescription painkillers,” including hydrocodone, methadone and oxycodone. Data from the Clark County coroner’s office shows that deaths from prescription…
Read MoreSusanne Rust and Meg Kissinger of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel detailed how a chemical flame retardant that was taken out of children’s pajamas 30 years ago has found its way back as a popular flame retardant used in sofa cushions, baby carriers and bassinet mattresses. As part of their ongoing Chemical Fallout series, the reporters…
Read MoreA five-part investigative series by the East Valley Tribune (Phoenix, Ariz.) looks at the efforts of Joe Arpaio, sheriff of Maricopa County, to crack down on illegal immigration. Noted as one of the most aggressive enforcement efforts in the U.S, it has come at a cost to other law enforcement efforts including “slower response times…
Read More“A yearlong examination by The Sacramento Bee of more than 250 applicants for military service found that the Army, Navy and Marines accepted ex-felons, people with serious drug and alcohol or mental health problems and dozens of others with significant criminal backgrounds or otherwise troubling histories.” In the series, Russ Carollo reports on how trouble…
Read More“A little-known police force that patrols state institutions and accompanies child welfare workers to potentially dangerous homes piled up $3.4 million in overtime last year, boosting the payroll 34 percent,” reported Lawrence Ragonese and Susan K. Livio of The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.). The review of state payroll records showed one employee averaged 45 hours of…
Read MoreA year-long investigative project by The Washington Post explores the murder investigation of Chandra Levy. The in-depth investigation shows critical leads were ignored in the investigation into her disappearance and murder. Seven years later, the murder remains unsolved.
Read MoreA company under investigation for its role the Minneapolis bridge collapse has received a substantial subcontract as part of the reconstruction project, reports Brian Bakst of the Associated Press. “Progressive Contractors Inc. will make nearly $3.6 million for paving and barrier work on the Mississippi River bridge project, according to records reviewed by the Associated…
Read More“U.S. exports to Iran grew more than tenfold during President Bush’s years in office,” reports Sharon Theimer of the Associated Press. The AP’s analysis of U.S. trade data revealed a wide variety of items being shipped to Iran – from bull semen to military rifles. Efforts by the U.S. government to limit trade with Iran…
Read MoreA package by the Las Vegas Sun looks at the steep increase in construction fatalities during the most recent development boom in the area. In less than 19 months, twelve construction workers have died, eclipsing the total number of fatalities during the growth and development of the 1990s. Experts blame the rise on poor oversight…
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