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 "beacons" ...
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"What They Know"
For this series, The Wall Street Journal developed its own "proprietary data and analytical methods" to expose how Internet use of individuals is being tracked, and how the information is being used by certain companies to develop explicit files about the users' lives. The Journal went on to reveal surprising ways in which the data "are being used."
Tags: tracking, Internet; database; cookies; beacons; Microsoft; Flowing Data
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Start Freakin'
In Seattle, "Stop Freakin', call Beacon" is the catch-phrase that propelled Beacon Plumbing into an instantly recognizable brand and the region's largest emergency plumbing service. We found the company doing unlicensed plumbing work, shoddy repairs, and overcharging customers. Ensuing investigations revealed that the man in the Beacon uniform might not be a plumber at all and that his former dress code may have included pinstripes at the State lock-up.
Tags: fraud; consumer investigation; professional license; advertising;
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Nonprofit groups and Legal Action say Fire Department money is up in smoke
The Milwaukee Street Beacon uncovered thathundreds of thousands of Community Development Block Grant dollars went to play Milwaukee Fire Department staffers, instead of to neighborhood organizations.
Tags: HUD; Housing and Urban Development; Community Development Block Grants; Fire Fighters Out Creating Urban Safety; FOCUS; fire detectors; fire prevention; Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation; NICD; Merrill Park NEighborhood Association; Legal Action; Community Parole Watch
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Crime follows crowd
The Akron Beacon-Journal reports that "the recent rebirth of Akron's downtown has drawn thousands to the once-deserted area. It's also led to a dramatic rise in crime."
Tags: Akron; downtown; crime; police; patrols; crowds; nightspots
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Prison's Hidden Cost
As the prison populations become more and more heavily populated by African American males, the number of black females with AIDS rises. This statement is the basis for a persuasive article by the Akron Beacon-Journal arguing that prisons are a breeding ground for the virus. While there is, of course, no conclusive evidence that black males are transmitting the disease behind bars, the Beacon-Journal uses testimony, statistics and common sense to make a compelling argument.
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Fire killed 23 kids 4 and under in 90's. Fighting the flames.
In Ohio, 257 children between 1 and 4 died in fires between 1990 and 1999. This represents a quarter of the deaths that weren't due to disease or other natural causes, according to the Ohio Department of Health. This story is part of a Beacon Journal effort to explore how families and communities treat kids.
Tags: fire; children; children deaths
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Power to Pollute: War On Clean Air, Coal Loses Clout, Power Brokers, Fatal Beauty
In this multi-part series, the Akron Beacon Journal examines the politics and environmental impact of Ohio's coal industry and electric utilities. The series looks at how Ohio's electric utilities are the dirtiest in America; how thousands of jobs have been lost for the benefit of power companies; how connected coal brokers got rich while the industry itself was suffering; and the environmental damage done to the Adirondack Mountains.
Tags: air pollution; coal burning power plants; Ohio utilities; Clean Air Act; coal industry; sulfur dioxide emissions; ozone threat; smog; electric utilities; acid rain; Adirondack Mountains
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Loose seat belt laws
There is no state law in Ohio requiring back-seat passengers to wear seat belts, unless the driver is 18 and driving with a temporary permit. The Beacon analyzed federal (NHTSA) crash data and found that ..."More than a third of the 279 children ages 4 to 15 years old, who died in crashes from 1994 through 1999 were riding legally unbuckled in back seats."
Tags: crash; seat belt; transportation; children; fatalities; safety; child seats; House Bill 113; CAR
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Gunning For Him
Pitch Weekly looks at the Beacon Hill Development Area and the ideas many people have to make this neighborhood safer and cleaner. Despite mixed opinions, many people believe a family-owned liquor store, B&C Party Shoppe, should be bought out. They argue that store owner, Tony Ragusa, has contributed to the drugs, prostitutes and drunks in this area. However, policeman in the district argue that Ragusa has been very helpful in fighting crime. Police say "Ragusa has allowed police to use his roof for surveillance, that he does not allow loitering in his parking lot and that Ragusa and his employees are the first to call police when trouble occurs." The article details the conflict of Ragusa against home owners and city officials.
Tags: developments; neighborhoods; crime; prostitution; drugs; Housing and Economic Development Financial Corporation; business; building; Fannie Mae; community; homeowners; Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance
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Elite donors sway Ohio primary races
In a computer-assisted analysis of the 2000 presidential candidates' campaign finance records, the Beacon Journal found most Ohio contributions were coming from the "upper reaches of society" -- contrary to what the candidates said.
Tags: CAR grass-roots George W. Bush Al Gore Bill Bradley John McCain donors fund-raising