The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "DES" ...
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Des Moines Register Reader's Watchdog
The Des Moines Register Reader's Watchdog column that takes on issues faced by individual Iowans who are at wits’ end and can't get answers from public officials, businesses and the justice system. Watchdog reporter Lee Rood's job is to give voice to readers who present important issues, to investigate all sides of those issues and to seek solutions that eluded others. This is a unique effort that both engages readers and values traditional watchdog reporting. At a time when journalists are seeking to remain relevant, build credibility and engage readers, she has launched this initiative that focuses not on the stories that she thinks are important, but on issues that are critical to our readers. In the past year, she wrote more than 60 columns, digging into watchdog issue brought to her by Iowans. Her work has put a new spotlight on wrongs that needed righting. Her work has led state lawmakers to propose legislation that requires Iowans to call 911 if they are present at the scene of an overdose. She has prodded the state attorney general's office to develop a plan to enforce laws that require companies to have worker's compensation insurance. She has fought through red tape for readers who didn't have someone in their corner to do so. Lee Rood's bold move to launch a new form of watchdog journalism for the Des Moines Register has made Iowans' lives better. Online, this body of work lives at DesMoinesRegister.com/ReadersWatchdog.
Tags: Public officials; businesses; justice system
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Dodging Dart
“Des Moines Area Regional Transit travels 3.7 million miles a year”. Many people use the system to travel back and forth to work and school. These people haven’t had bad experiences, but fear for the pedestrians coming in the way of the bus. There have been “at least seven people hit by the bus in a little more than two years”. Little has been done to make the streets safer because it is difficult, when hiring, to set criteria for them.
Tags: buses; downtown; Brad Miller; drivers; transportation; collisions; safety; accidents; route
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State Land Deal
Real estate developers used their close contacts to Polk County and Des Moines city officials to buy publicly subsidized land outside the city for little money, and then sell it back for an 866 percent profit. Part of the land was then used by the county to build a new driver's license renewal office. However, since it was the only one in the county, the public not only paid an 866 percent mark-up for the land, but also must now travel farther, at greater inconvenience, in order to visit the office.
Tags: fraud; cronyism; public officials; real estate deals; eminent domain
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Reputation on the Line
This series of stories uncovered a tangled web of relationships, both professional and personal, between Cook County official, Des Plaines city employees, convicted felons, and shareholders of casinos and billboard companies.
Tags: city government; county government; fraud; corruption; Illinois Crime Commission
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Feeding Greed
An undercover investigation by the KNXV team revealed food stamp fraud as a rampant problem. Retailers gave food stamp wielders cash-back, though that was specifically prohibited. An elaborate food stamps for money trade was also discovered.
Tags: food stamp; welfare; low-income; fraud; department of economic security; DES
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"Millions Pledged to Fight Terrorism Unused" "Cities Grumble About Terror Money." "Report Questions Terror Spending."
"Federal homeland-security grants to first-responders are being spread so thinly that many small cities don't know how to spend it, while larger cities are going woefully underfunded. Our analysis showed that Des Moines, which is larger than any of Iowa's 98 outlying counties, got just $250,000 out of the first $28 million provided to the state. Some of the state's smallest counties - with the fewest critically important resources - are spending thousands of dollars on traffic cones and are getting equipment like ballistic helmets that Des Moines can't afford."
Tags: GAO; General Accounting Office; grants; terrorism; security; police
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State agency hides problems at assisted-living centers
A Des Moines Register investigation of the way Iowa regulates assisted-living centers revealed that "state officials were concealing information from the public about abuse and neglect in these homes."
Tags: Iowa; abuse; neglect; assisted-living centers; elderly; senior citizens; state government; secrecy; public documents
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Reggie sought home, but found death
The Des Moines Register investigates the tragic death of Reggie Kelsey, an ex-foster-care teenager who lost the state support services as soon as he turned 18. Kelsey had problems adjusting to independence, and the Iowa Department of Human Services failed to address his specific needs, the story reveals. The article summarizes the pitfalls of the foster-care system in Iowa, and sheds light on the state intention to put in use additional money to help the transition of 'aged-out' children.
Tags: homelessness; mental health; social workers; foster care; shelters; children; teenagers; mentally retarded; youth; juvenile offenders; psychology
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Home deals can target poor, hide expenses
"Des Moines' most blighted neighborhoods have become profit centers for a growing and largely unregulated home-lending business that trades on the desire of poor people to own a home. A Des Moines Sunday Register investigation found numerous problems with the contract wholesale business, including unpaid taxes, lack of disclosure of hidden costs and inflated sale prices."
Tags: Polk County; Wolford Group; advertising claims; traditional mortgages; repossession; eviction; outside lenders; credit history; rental properties; loophole for upkeep and repair; Iowa Finance Authority; residential contracts; Legal Aid Society
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Tax-sale tactics get a hard look; Tax-sale buyer's tactics scrutinized; Witness protection inquiry possible; Records, interviews reflect Davis' posh past; Behind on their taxes, these homeowners crossed paths with Davis; Tale of four properties; Tax-sale law with bigger payoffs may be a 'monster;' State says D.M, businessman disguised loans as home sales; Man monitored client of Davis, was convicted
The Des Moines Register investigates slum lord Josh Davis, a former drug accountant for the Medellin Cartel who had gone into the witness-protection program. After Davis moved from California to Iowa, he began buying properties through tax sales. "He turned some properties into slum housing and found ways to take other properties he couldn't obtain through tax-delinquent liens... He,,, played cat and mouse games to keep city officials from closing properties with major code violations, intimidated or tricked people into signing over their homes and rented out dozens of improperly seized properties to make money."
Tags: Josh Davis; Medellin Cartel; drugs; witness-protection program; money; slum lords; housing; Iowa; California