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The making of ‘K2’
“A trio of men, indicted last week for their role in selling and manufacturing the synthetic marijuana product, were warned about the murky legal territory of their multimillion-dollar K2 operation, as well as the potential health dangers of the substance,” according to an investigation by the Lawrence Journal-World.
Read MoreGranting of some bonds comes through backdoor practice, with no prosecutor input
“In many instances, the decision is in direct contradiction to the recommendations of court workers who assess the defendant’s risk of fleeing or harming the public, an American-Statesman review has found.” Read the American-Statesman’s full investigation here.
Read MorePainkillers not always the solution for gymnasts
“Young gymnasts battling physical discomfort to perform a sport they love is a common, almost clichéd storyline. However, more doctors and researchers now are not only paying attention to the high number of injuries gymnasts suffer but also to the increasing amounts of anti-inflammatory medication they take as a result,” according to an investigation by…
Read MoreU-T San Diego may have offered bargain ad deals to candidates they endorsed.
Tom Shephard, a political consultant for Bob Filner, a Democrat running for mayor of San Diego, noticed a lot of full page newspaper ads attacking his client; ads that he was quoted $8,000 for. “Amita Sharma and Ryann Growchowski, with inewsource and KPBS, audited ads in the San Diego Union-Tribune every day between Labor Day…
Read MoreBotched ATF sting in Milwaukee ensnares brain-damaged man
“ATF agents running an undercover storefront in Milwaukee used a brain-damaged man with a low IQ to set up gun and drug deals, paying him in cigarettes, merchandise and money, according to federal documents obtained by the Journal Sentinel.” Read the Journal Sentinel’s full investigation here.
Read MoreDonors behind millions in N.J. political contributions kept secret, analysis finds
“Politicians in New Jersey can receive more money while still keeping the names of their donors secret than those in any other state in the nation, masking the origins of millions of dollars in campaign contributions every year, a Star-Ledger analysis has found.” Read the Star-Ledger’s full investigation here.
Read MoreU-T political ad rates don’t add up
“inewsource and KPBS audited ads in the U-T every day between Labor Day and Election Day 2012 and compared the list with campaign finance records. The results show varied payments for ads, indicating the U-T may have offered bargains to the anti-Filner campaign and to other candidates and issues the newspaper endorsed,” according to the investigation.
Read MoreHow Walmart, ExxonMobil, and Coke Buy Latino Friends in Congress
“Lobbyists and corporations that employ them can’t give gifts to lawmakers—unless they funnel the money through a nonprofit,” according to an investigation by Mother Jones.
Read MoreState still shelling out millions to workers on paid administrative leave
“The Tribune reported in October that the state regularly pays employees not to work, even as it faces wide budget gaps and service cutbacks. The paper’s analysis found that, since 2007, more than 2,000 employees received their usual pay to stay home, amassing $23 million in state wages. More than five months after that report,…
Read MoreCoal-backed studies evoke controversy
“Company-backed reports are pointing out some potential flaws in earlier research. They also are generating questions of their own, in part because industry’s role in funding the work has not been clearly disclosed,” according to an investigation by the Gazette-Mail.
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