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 "WXYZ" ...
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Getting Away With Attempted Murder
WXYZ-TV exposed broken bail bond system in the state's busiest courts that led to major reforms.
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Wayne County Confidential: Government Run Amok
In Michigan's largest counties, WXYZ-TV exposed a secret $200,000 severance paid to Turkia Mullin, the county's outgoing economic development czar in September while employees endured 20% pay cuts.
Tags: Severance
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Wayne County Confidential: Government Run Amok
This investigation exposed a secret $200,000 severance paid out to a government employee while others endured a 20% pay cut. WXYZ found that the severance was never disclosed to county commissioners, who are supposed to approve all payments of $50,000. The reporting caused the county to cancel 16 other severance payments for voluntary resignations, including one for up to $350,000.
Tags: severance payments; voluntary resignation; breaking news; broadcast
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Judge Sylvia James: Access Denied, Chief Judge Under fire
This series examines a chief judge who appears to be using her power and position to do as she pleases. WXYZ used FOIA extensively in their investigation which lead the city to put her on administrative leave as well as leading to inquiries and audits from the State Court Administrator, the Judicial Tenure Commission and a formal complaint containing 192 specific allegations.
Tags: judges; corruption; broadcast
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What's on the Menu?
Eight stations in the E.W. Scripps Television station Group worked together to investigate claims by national restaurant chains about low-fat and low-calorie menu items. The group specifically gathered menus from restaurants who listed the fat and/or calorie content directly on their menus, and decided to have the food tested at Analytical Laboratories, Inc. in Boise, Idaho. They created an excel spreadsheet and assigned each station three foods listed on various low-fat/low-calorie menus on the same way. The stations each packed their food the exact same way and videotaped this procedure to verify protocol. The packages were then sent overnight to Analytical Laboratories, Inc. for testing. The test results showed that out of the 23 items tested, 78% were over the fat limit and almost 69% were over the calorie limit listed on the package. A producer from KNXV-TV then contacted all the restaurants involved in the test and asked for a response. No company would go on camera for the story, though the company that owns Chili's and Macaroni Grill apologized and said they would work to reinforce the menu standards.
Tags: food; nutrition; low-fat; low-calorie; Ohio; false advertising
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To Protect and Massage
WXYZ-TV found that Detroit Police Sergeant was going to massage school while she was supposed to be on her beat.
Tags: police department; police; massage school; tax dollar; city government; hidden government
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Commissioner's Work Day
After six months of investigation, including surveillance, WXYZ-TV found that Police Commissioner Danny Clark, spent most of his days drinking. Clark would spend a few hours at work and then go and drink at a bar or at home. "Ultimately the story prompted the Police Commissioner to admit that he is an alcoholic, announced is retirement, and the mayor suspended him."
Tags: police department; police; Warren; Danny Clark; alcohol; work; tax dollar;
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High Flying Perks
As automakers took more financial hits in 2006 that led to layoffs and cost-cutting, company executives asserted that they too would cut down on their personal budgets. But WXYZ-TV found out that the executives did nothing to reduce their use of corporate jets and fuel in trips costing in the tens of thousands of dollars. The eight-month investigation uncovered situations like that of Ford CEO BIll Ford, Jr. He accepted a yearly salary of only a dollar, and used company planes for personal trips to the tune of $297,201 in a single year. Ford president Mark Fields is tasked with cutting costs in the company, yet used the planes on many weekends to take trips from Detroit to his mansion in Florida at a cost of between $50,000 and $70,000 each weekend.
Tags: Money; corporate pork; corporate executives; misuse of company planes; corporate cost-cutting; automotive industry; Ford Motor Company
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Detroit Public Schools
The investigation dealt with major ongoing problems at Detroit Public Schools. An audit revealed mismanagement, misspending, and waste. When WXYZ learned of these audits, their requests for the auditing records were continually denied. The station also learned the school system was spending millions to move its headquarters, which was to be renovated, therefore using taxpayer money. Even with a FOIA request, access to these records was denied for the most part. After taking these issues to court, WXYZ obtained the records. They found the "head honchos" were working in luxurious offices, while students were surrounded by filth and weren't even provided with enough books. Funds were clearly misused.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; audits; taxpayer; education; Detroit Public Schools; renovation; Huntington Construction
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Kmart: Behind the blue light
WXYZ-TV reports on Kmart's secret loans to some of its top executives, and various forms of misuse of corporate assets. The segment shows some of the company executives using the corporate jets for vacations or flying to the bankruptcy court.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; Wall Street; investors; stocks and bonds; finance