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 "Knoxville" ...
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Baumgartner
At the start of 2011, the best known and probably most respected judge in Knoxville, Tenn., was Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner, founder of Knox County's successful Drug Court and the judge who recently had presided over trials involving the most shocking crime in local memory, the carjacking, torture and murder of a young couple named Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. The trials of four suspects led to a death sentence, two life sentences and one very long prison term. But soon after the new year began, Baumgartner took an abrupt leave of absence, ostensible for health reasons.
Tags: judge; Knoxville; trials; criminal court
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Seizing for Dollars
The News-Sentinel examined the state's asset forfeiture program, specifically looking at what items were being taken from people by law enforcement in our country, why the property was taken and what happened to it. The reporters found authorities confiscated $1.1 million and nearly 1,700 vehicles over the past four years. Most of the vehicles were seized from repeat drunk drivers and those driving on a revoked license because of a prior DUI. The reporters looked at how much money the auctions of those vehicles brought into the departments and found that most agencies lost money after they deducted storage, towing and auction expenses from the proceeds.
Tags: forfeiture laws; Knoxville Police Department; vehicles; Tennessee Highway Patrol; police seizures; property; drug cases
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NewsChannel 5 Investigates: Perks of Power
Focusing on the ethical conduct of Tennessee public officials, Channel 5's hidden-camera investigation provides a peek into the cozy relationships between Tennessee lawmakers and special interest groups. The investigation also takes the blankets off on the self-dealing by a powerful Senate Chairman and how he used the state's tax dollars to help him sell a piece of land. Furthermore, the 2-documentary series exposed the extravagant spending by the head of the state's flagship university system, the University of Tennessee. These disclosures include personal flights on a state plane, personal charges on a state credit card and no-bid contracts awarded to the President's friends.
Tags: Tape; transcripts; Knoxville
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Policing the Police
Southern Exposure looks at the issue of police brutality and looks at two reports from Tennessee. It asks "as reports of abuse skyrocket, how do we hold the authorities accountable?"
Tags: police; police abuse; police brutality; police review board; Tennesse; Knoxville; Chattanooga
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Historically broke colleges and universities
Emerge investigates the plight of several historically black college universities. Plagued by mismanagement and waning support, they struggle to survive.
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Campbell schools, students rank among lowest in state
A study of the Campbell county schools by members of a Public Affairs Reporting class at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, revealed poor performance in the district.
Tags: None
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No title (id: 10387)
Knoxville News-Sentinel discloses that over-zealous federal regulators may have closed down too many banks, including banks that were viable; the result has been huge lawsuits and settlements as the FDIC has conceded its errors, April 17, 1994.
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No title (id: 9822)
WMYU-FM (Knoxville, Tenn.) investigates the Watts Bar, the only nuclear power project currently under construction in the U.S.; finds shortcomings in construction, harrassment of employees and inadequate emergency planning, Dec. 13 - 17, 1993.
Tags: TN Hawkins 15 pages
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No title (id: 8808)
Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel reveals weak state laws and limited background checks have created a situation in Knox County, Tenn., in which people who are prohibited by law from obtaining a license to sell beer, use someone else's name or license; ownership of the business is concealed by a front, which enables the person to skirt the law and continue to sell alcohol, April 5 - 8, 1992.
Tags: None
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For whose benefit: How the Cancer Fund of America hit the jackpot
Knoxville (Tenn.) Journal exposes the Cancer Fund of America and other charities that illegally sell products of questionable worth and then claim the transactions as part of their services for patients.
Tags: Charities; fraud; Cancer Fund of America