The IRE office will be closed from December 25th to January 5th.
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Methadone series leads to FDA warning
Six months after the Charleston Gazette ran a series about methadone overdose deaths nationwide, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory and strenghtened the warnings on the package insert for methadone this week. The Gazette series revealed that the FDA-approved recommended dosage on methadone’s old package insert was wrong and potentially…
Read MoreHurricane shutter fraud on the rise
Sarah Okeson of Florida Today reports that hurricane storm shutter fraud is on the rise in Florida. Records from the Better Business Bureau of Central Florida show that at least six companies offering storm shutters have unsatisfactory records, and at least one faces criminal charges. Complaints range from shoddy workmanship to theft of deposits. A…
Read MoreHoles in Dallas school district’s screening process
A Dallas Morning News investigation of the Dallas Independent School District’s method of making criminal background checks on potential employees has found a system that still has holes and, at times, ignores district and state rules. The News’ investigation found at least 80 current employees who have been convicted of felonies or received deferred adjudication…
Read MoreAir Force rushed air defense system
In a follow-up to an earlier story, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report‘s Michael Fabey writes that the Air Force rushed the deployment of its airspace defense system by bypassing typical Pentagon standards. Information received by The Daily indicates that “the Air Force accepted the BCS-F [Battle Control System-Fixed] even though it did not meet the…
Read MoreMillions lost is ferry debacle
Steve Orr, of the (Rochester, N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle, investigates the failed project for a high-speed ferry intended to operate between Rochester and Toronto. Orr “reveals a troubling trail of political maneuvering, lax oversight and lack of follow-through” – issues that cost state taxpayers $14 million.
Read More“Media Tracker” database relaunched
The Center for Public Integrity has relaunched its “Media Tracker” database in an updated and expanded form. The improved features of the online database “detail the scope of the political influence of top communications, entertainment and electronic companies” by including information on political contribuntions and lobbying expenditures. Click here to see their press release.
Read MoreOf Note: Interview on Investigative Journalism
John McQuaid, co-author, with Mark Schleifstein, of Path of Destruction: The Devastation of New Orleans and the Coming Age of Superstorms, interviews Charles Lewis, founder of the Center for Public Integrity, on the future of investigative journalism on the Internet. McQuaid is blogging for newassignment.net.
Read More“Fatal Food”
Thomas Hargrove of Scripps Howard News Service, along with contributions from Sruthi Kunnel and Lee Bowman, completed an investigation into food-borne illness outbreak reports made to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical officials in Kentucky have already ordered reform’s to the state’s disease reporting process as a result of this investigation. Links to…
Read MorePolice pensions pumped up by overtime pay
Brian Sharp of the Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester, N.Y., takes a look at the Rochester police department’s overtime pay, an issue gouging the city’s budget. Inflated wages due to overtime are being used to bolster the pensions of officers nearing retirement. The investigation included analysis of 10 years of salary records which are included…
Read MoreEmpire Zone abuses afford millions to a lucky few
The (Syracuse, N.Y.) Post-Standard’s Mike McAndrew and Michelle Breidenbach expose abuses of New York’s “Empire Zone” tax breaks which negate the programs intended purpose:” to create jobs in targeted impoverished areas.” One mall owner was able to cash in on about $14 million in tax breaks by paying the city of Geneva to expand the…
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