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 "Desoto County" ...
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Center didn't measure up
This investigation examined why a two-year-old, $8 million hurricane shelter built to withstand winds up to 140 mph collapsed during a hurricane that registered winds of only up to 110 mph. The newspaper found that DeSoto County used a low-bid contractor who lacked certification, failed to use the latest in disaster-resistant design, and appointed the county administrator to oversee the project even though he lacked any construction background, and now the county can't find the engineering documents to prove the building's design and materials should have held up under hurricane-force winds.
Tags: Hurricane Charley; hurricane shelter; hurricane-proof construction; county government
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BENCH: Trial judges often keep their seats without facing election. So when a Florida lawyer challenged an incumbent, he rocked the de facto merit selection system.
In Manatee County, Florida (a town near Tampa Bay), the judicial system has come under fire. According to the article, "Until recently, a judge hadn't been knocked off the bench in an election for 30 years." The article describes how difficult it is for a lawyer to compete for a bench position that's already occupied.
Tags: Manatee County; Florida; trial judges; Tampa Bay; lawyers; law; judges; bench; Matthew McMillan; Matthew E. McMillian; Sarasota County; Desoto County; scandal; election; de facto merit selection system; incumbent