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Video shows training results in Minnesota
In a short video, Minnesota journalists describe what they learned during three days of custom IRE training in December. Topics include Twitter, searching the “Deep Web” and using IRS 990 forms to probe nonprofit organizations. Check out the video on the IRE On the Road blog. Nearly 60 reporters, editors and publishers from small newspapers…
Read MoreWhat journalists learned in Minnesota
By Doug Haddix IRE training director Nearly 60 reporters, editors and publishers from small newspapers in southern Minnesota took part in three days of IRE custom training in December. The specialized IRE training was sponsored by Huckle and Mainstream newspapers. Several reporters and editors shared what they learned in a short video. It touches…
Read MoreStimulus loans scarce for minority-owned businesses
Aaron Glantz of New American Media reports that analysis of data from the federal government’s Small Business Association (SBA) revealed racial inequities in small business loans given out as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. While race is not recorded by Recovery.gov, data from the SBA found that 91 percent of the 4,497…
Read MoreLosing ‘Letta series
A six-month investigation by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette attempts to document the story of Carmeletta Green, a 12-year-old who disappeared from her home 27 years ago. Police and court documents were reviewed and 38 people interviewed to piece together the story. Remains found in 1991 were finally identified as Carmeletta Green Nov. 30, 2009. Her case…
Read MoreDistribution of economic development loans questioned
The Buffalo News analyzed loans and grants data to see how the city “spends the federal funds it receives to promote economic development and urban renewal.” The analysis showed that two-thirds of the almost $2 million in grant money went to Masten District where the mayor used to serve as councilman. Other regions in need…
Read MoreTeacher placement system undermines hiring choices
A voiceofsandiego.org project reveals a flawed teacher placement system that can undercut schools from making straightforward choices on the fundamental issue of who teaches in their classrooms. A survey of over two dozen principals revealed that in approximately one out of every five teacher hires they were not able to pick the applicant they wanted.
Read MoreHuman Trafficking in America series
A series by The Kansas City Star explores the problem of human trafficking, and how the U.S. is failing in its promise to end trafficking and other human rights abuses. Their investigation “found that, in spite of all the rhetoric from the Bush and Obama administrations, the United States is failing to find and help…
Read MoreCost of Bay Area bridge project unprecedented
Patricia Decker and Robert Porterfield have found the construction project on the east span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge will be the most expensive project ever done in the state of California. While overall costs have been presented to the public, Decker and Porterfield report that the interest on the money borrowed to pay…
Read MoreSoldiers buried as “unknown” due to careless record keeping
Mark Benjamin of Salon.com reports of continuing problems at Arlington National Cemetery. Burial mix-ups include cremated remains being dumped in a landfill before being recovered and buried as an unknown soldier. Careless record keeping has contributed to others being buried as unknown soldiers. “In some cases cemetery officials lost track of the identity of remains during burial…
Read MoreRegulation lax on Illinois legislative scholarships
A three-day series by students from Columbia College Chicago, in collaboration with Illinois Statehouse News, examines Illinois’ century-old legislative scholarship program. The program doled out $12.5 million during the 2007-2008 academic year. The investigation found there is “virtually no regulation of the scholarship program.” The only requirement is that applicants must live in the awarding…
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