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Make chronologies easier with TimeFlow
By Jaimi Dowdell, IRE training director If you’ve ever been involved in an investigative story or in-depth project, you understand how important chronology can be. I’ve often sketched timelines on notebooks, napkins or white boards. For trickier tasks or more data, I’ve turned to Excel, but I’ve never been completely satisfied with how it works.…
Read MoreVacant homes running up inflated water bills
An investigation by David Andreatta of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, N.Y.) found hundreds of vacant, boarded-up homes in Rochester are accruing huge water bills because the city Water Bureau does not turn off the water at many homes, and continues to bill the homes based on estimated water use when it does turn off the…
Read MoreInsurers profit on policies of fallen soldiers
An investigation by David Evans of Bloomberg found that Prudential Insurance has been profiting on life insurance policies of deceased veterans. The funds are held in “Prudential’s general corporate account, earning investment income for the insurer.” According to regulatory filings from 2008, survivors were being paid 1 percent interest on their Alliance Accounts, while Prudential…
Read MoreOn The Road: Manage your time for investigative stories
By Doug Haddix IRE training director Time management can be a reporter’s biggest challenge when it comes to watchdog stories. During a recent Better Watchdog Workshop in Denver, two seasoned investigative journalists shared tips and tricks they’ve learned to make time for the big story. Advice and tips came from Raquel Rutledge of the Milwaukee…
Read MoreFood service at stadiums often riddled with health code violations
A story by Paula Lavigne, of ESPN, reveals some unappetizing realities about food service at the 107 stadiums used by the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL across the country. Through a review of inspection records from local health departments, Lavigne revealed that at “30 of the venues (28 percent), more than half of the concession…
Read MoreWhistleblowers defenseless against retaliatory suspensions
A report by Mike McGraw of The Kansas City Star shines a light on “a loophole in America’s whistleblower protection laws.” Whistleblowers have nowhere to turn when they face retaliation for their actions. McGraw’s story focuses on George Sarris, an Air Force employee whose security clearance was suspended after he pointed out life-threatening maintenance problems…
Read MoreState Dept reverses decision to allow Colombian journalist to enter country for Neiman Foundation fellowship
The U.S. State Department has reversed its decision to deny a visa to Colombian investigative journalist Hollman Morris, clearing the way for Morris to participate in the Nieman Foundation for Journalism’s fellowship program at Harvard University. IRE and many other journalism organizations contacted the State Department asking officials to reconsider their initial decision. Morris initially…
Read MoreManage your time for investigative stories
By Doug Haddix, IRE training director Time management can be a reporter’s biggest challenge when it comes to watchdog stories. During a recent Better Watchdog Workshop in Denver, two seasoned investigative journalists shared tips and tricks they’ve learned to make time for the big story. Advice and tips came from Raquel Rutledge of the Milwaukee…
Read MoreCredibility of airline passenger advocate called into question
A profile by Michael Fabey in Travel Weekly explores the credibility of Kate Hanni and FlyersRights.org. Three years ago, Hanni, a realtor-turned-lobbyist, stormed Washington on a crusade that wound up changing the way the Transportation Department makes airlines handle long-term tarmac delays. It appears Hanni misled Congress with false reports, data and statements. FlyersRights.org, the…
Read MoreDanger lurks in some adult foster care homes
After a staff member at an adult foster care home in the Duluth, Minn., area was left alone with and nearly raped by a resident who had twice been civilly committed for mental illness, the Duluth News Tribune investigated the homes and found numerous incidents of residents with severe mental illness, drug addiction and violent…
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