The IRE office will be closed from December 25th to January 5th.
Government (federal/state/local)
Florida’s off-duty police caught speeding
“A three-month investigation by the Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale found almost 800 cops from a dozen agencies driving 90 to 130 mph on Florida’s highways. The inquiry, using toll records, found that many officers weren’t on duty but commuting to and from work in their take-home patrol cars.” Following the Sentinel’s report, many police…
Read MoreSome members of Congress use earmarks to improve areas close to home
“Thirty-three members of Congress have directed more than $300 million in earmarks and other spending provisions to dozens of public projects that are next to or within about two miles of the lawmakers’ own property, according to a Washington Post investigation.“ “The Post analyzed public records on the holdings of all 535 members and compared…
Read MoreWA state spends millions to help sex predators avoid lockup
“In a multi-part series, The Seattle Times has found that almost 300 sex offenders in the state of Washington are detained indefinitely in a civil-commitment program. The center protects society from these predators, but is has been plagued by runaway legal costs, a lack of financial oversight and layers of secrecy”
Read MoreSevere flaws in Ohio’s abuse laws
A Columbus Dispatch investigation of domestic violence in 2009 found flaws in Ohio laws and policies that created a culture of tolerance. Two years later, more agencies are reporting more abuse and deaths, yet reform legislation remains stalled.
Read MoreCongress benefits widen pension gap
“Bloomberg BusniessWeek reports that almost 15,000 federal retirees, including former leaders of Congress, a university president and a banker, are receiving six-figure pensions from a system that faces a $674.2 billion shortfall. Charles R. Babcock and Frank Bass obtained data that shows about one of every 125 retired federal civilian workers collects more than $100,000…
Read MoreCA, a haven for diploma mills
“An investigation by The Bay Citizen has found that California is a haven for diploma mills and unaccredited schools. The paper found that the state has given approvals to hundreds of dubious programs and has not inspected some of these schools for decades.”
Read MoreCostly bus shelters spur anger, embarrassment
How much should a bus shelter cost? In Grants Pass, Ore., the answer may surprise you. Harry Esteve of The Oregonian reports that city officials recently signed off “on a project to build five bus shelters at an estimated cost of $106,000 apiece,” or the cost of building a three-bedroom house. The project has spurred…
Read MoreDrug trial research often concealed
John Fauber of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that “drug research, even from clinical trials sponsored by the federal government, routinely is suppressed, harming patients and increasing health care costs, according to new data highlighting an ethical controversy that continues to plague the field of medicine.” “The current situation is a disservice to research participants,…
Read MoreEmergency managers overpaid in cash-strapped community
An investigation by the Flint Journal in Michigan reveals that several state-appointed emergency managers are being paid six figure salaries. Residents of the “cash-strapped” communities question the high salaries, and many have sued the state. “By law, the pay of Michigan’s five emergency managers — ranging from $132,000 to $250,000 — is set by the…
Read MorePolice raking in thousands for questionable overtime
“The call it “piling on”: Police officers, looking to pad their paychecks with overtime, add their names to arrest reports and other investigative paperwork, no matter how minor their role. Then, when a case arises in court, they get called to testify – and possibly paid overtime.” The Philadelphia Inquirer has learned that this could…
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