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Narcotic pain medicine use on the rise among seniors
“A Journal Sentinel investigation by John Fauber and Ellen Gabler has found that, increasingly, narcotic drugs have been prescribed for chronic pain, an area where their safety and effectiveness is unproven, especially for older patients.” “Though a growing number of experts believe the drugs may do more harm than good, the country’s aging population has…
Read MoreHospitals charging up to 10 times the amount for state-mandated test
In a report by the Springfield New-Leader, it has been found that some hospitals in the southwest Missouri region are charging close to 10 times the amount for a state-mandated blood test on infants. “The state charges $65 for the blood test which includes processing the blood, delivering it to the state lab, receiving the…
Read MoreMilwaukee Police Department misreporting violent crime
“A Journal Sentinel investigation has found that even though the Milwaukee Police Department have been touting a fall in crime for four years, hundreds of beatings, stabbings and child abuse cases were missing from the count.” “More than 500 incidents since 2009 were misreported to the FBI as minor assaults and not included in the…
Read MoreHumanitarian institutions contributing to deforestation
“An investigation by Haiti Grassroots Watch (HGW) in the Upper Turgeau region of Port-au-Prince discovered that about 100 “transitional shelters” – often called “T-Shelters” –were donated to earthquake victims and built in places where, prior to the 2010 catastrophe, there were trees, bushes, or at the very least, no houses.” “Today, thanks to the donations…
Read MoreChildren who skip vaccinations raise threat of dangerous outbreak
An Arizona Star investigation has found that “one in three Arizona schools last year had kindergarten classes with vaccination rates so low children were left vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks such as measles, mumps or pertussis.” It was discovered that “the worst offenders, by far, are charter and private schools, some with vaccination rates as…
Read MoreEmails reveal how University of Montana’s administration handles cases of alleged rape
“Earlier this month, the U.S. Justice Department announced a first-of-its kind investigation into how rape cases are handled by the University of Montana and its campus police, along with the Missoula Police Department and the Missoula County Attorney’s Office because of a series of investigations by the Missoulian.” “Since December, the paper has been reporting…
Read MoreAnalyzing Governor Walker’s calendars
In a three-part series for the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, Kate Golden and Amy Karon used the state’s open records law to receive Gov. Scott Walker’s official calendars. “To analyze how Walker has used his time as the state’s chief executive, WCIJ reporters created a database of the more than 4,400 entries in Walker’s…
Read MoreNJ school officials cheating the students
“An Asbury Park Press investigation has exposed how Lakewood, New Jersey school officials slashed the high school’s graduation rate to win a $6 million federal grant, lied to parents of special education students to save money, spend millions of dollars busing school children to religious and otherwise private schools, and showed how a lawyer made…
Read MoreFlame retardants and the big business behind them
A Chicago Tribune investigation has found that the flame retardants that are packed into couches, chairs and many other products are not working as promised. Furthermore, two powerful industries–Big Tobacco and chemical manufacturers have waged a deceptive campaign that led to the proliferation of these chemicals. Sam Roe, Patricia Callahan and Michael Hawthorne utilized DocumentCloud…
Read MoreDeteriorating combat ship raises questions
Mike Fabey of Aviation Week was afforded an authorized, guided tour of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS-1), USS Freedom, that appears to be in no shape to sail. Despite Navy and contractor claims to the contrary – the ship is a rusty, rotting mess in key operational areas. As a result of this investigation a…
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