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 "North Carolina" ...
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Prognosis: Profits
In their quest for growth and profits, large nonprofit hospitals in North Carolina have pushed up healthcare costs, paid executives millions and left thousands with bills they struggle to pay. In a joint investigation, the Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer of Raleigh found that urban hospitals in North Carolina have generated some of the nation’s largest profit margins and have amassed billions of dollars in reserves. Hospitals in the Charlotte area have sued thousands of needy patients they could afford to help, frequently putting liens on their homes and damaging their credit. Raleigh-Durham hospitals, meanwhile, have sent collection agencies after thousands of patients, ruining the credit ratings of many in the process.
Tags: Healthcare; nonprofit hospitals; patients
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NC Auto Inspection's-Failing the Test
Every year, North Carolina auto owners must take vehicles to private garages for state-mandated safety and emissions testing meant to prevent traffic crashes and curb pollution. Drivers cannot put a car on the road legally unless it passes inspection. A review inspection data showed the program is undermined by unscrupulous garages who do a volume business, passing unsafe cars, and by other who take bribes or cheat customers with uncessary repairs.
Tags: auto owners; emissions testing; unsafe cars
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Washed Away
This investigation revealed the "huge environmental risk to North Carolina's lakes and rivers when you combine a poorly run state restoration program with state and federal rules that do not stress water quality improvements." It was found, among other things, that the state spent $140 million on faulty water projects.
Tags: water pollution; water restoration; development; waste
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Deep Cuts: Why is the Triangle Land Conservancy Logging Its Land
The Triangle Land Conservancy is one of the most respected land protection nonprofit agencies in North Carolina. Its mission is to protect land from development and environmental degradation. But in 2004, under new leadership the TLC quietly changed its mission to include the timbering of lands. Until the story was published, most donors knew little or nothing of the timbering.
Tags: Triangle Land Conservancy; timbering; nonprofit; donors
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Bomboozled, a Story of Liquor and Money
Profits from North Carolina's monopoly on retail liquor are supposed to flow back to the state. However, the investigation uncovers waste and corruption are causing the liquor boards to lose money.
Tags: alcohol; liquor; waste; Alcoholic Beverage Control; retail liquor
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What Violent Criminals Could Be Paroled
The North Carolina Department of Correction had many of inmates facing life sentences set to be paroled with the public unaware while the governor and attorney general attempted to keep these men from walking out the front door.
Tags: prison; murders; North Carolina
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Camp Lejeune: Deadly Waters
Marines at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina had been exposed to toxic drinking and bathing water for 30 years despite warnings from outside contractors. When people began raising questions about the contaminated water, base officials ignored them.
Tags: toxic; contaminated; water safety; marines; chemicals
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Breakdown: Charlotte's Mental Health System Under Stress
The series takes a close look at the mental health system in Charlotte, North Carolina and finds that many psychiatric hospitals turn away patients who threaten themselves and others -- sometimes with disastrous results.
Tags: psychiatric; hospital; mentally ill; mental health system; prescription
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Keeping Secrets
This series exposed the financial and public safety costs of North Carolina's personnel law, which we discovered was among the most secretive in the nation. The series showed how the law protected abusive cops and predatory teachers, political patronage and nepotism, as well as extravagantly pay raises and pensions.
Tags: North Carolina; personnel; state employment; salaries; personnel law; North Carlina Open Government Coalition;
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Cradle of Secrets
The cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which claims the lives of about 100 babies per year in North Carolina, is unknown. Doctors consider it unpreventable and completely natural. However, the investigation finds that about two-thirds of SIDS babies were sleeping in risky situations that may have caused suffocation.
Tags: SIDS; Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; suffocation; infant death; baby