Resource Center

Stories

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 "development" ...

  • Come About

    An AWIN investigation into the Navy destroyer fleet and its accompanying combat systems strongly suggest the service will have to upend its plans for their development, effectively solidifying the grip of incumbent contractors on the work at the very time the service is trying to break such monopolies.

    Tags: Navy; destroyer; combat; monopoly; contractors

    By Michael Fabey, Jefferson Morris, Donna Thomas, Richard Mullins

    Aviation Week Intelligence Network

    2011

  • Land Flips Sting Taxpayers

    The Gwinett County school district is not only Georgia's largest, but arguably its most highly regarded after winning a prestigious award as the nation's top urban district. However, while the district celebrated its national acclaim, the Journal-Constitution began scrutinizing its unusually secretive land-purchasing program. After analyzing all the district's land purchases over the past 12 years, the Journal-Constitution focused on 11 mullti-million dollar transactions, many of them involving prominent and politically connected real estate developers.

    Tags: Gwinett County; Georgia; School District; Land Purchasing; Sweetheart Deals

    By Tim Eberly

    Atlanta Journal-Constitution

    2011

  • Gunwalkers

    CBS News broke and developed the story of the Gunwalker Scandal. US Federal agents covertly helped deliver thousands of assault rifles and other weapons to killer Mexican Drug Cartels.

    Tags: Drug Cartels; Federal Agents; Gunwalker Scandal; US Federal Agents; CBS News; Drug Cartels

    By Sharyl Attkinson; Chris Scholl; Bill Piersol; Kim Skeen; Matt Tureck; Patricia Shevlin; Matt Tureck; Batt Humphreys

    CBS News

    2011

  • 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

    By Ross Jones; Heather Catallo; Randy Lundquist; Johnny Sartin; Ramon Rosario

    WXYZ-TV (Detroit)

    2011

  • Landing Electrolux

    When Swedish company Electrolux announced plans to build a kitchen appliance factory in Memphis, many in the region hailed it as an economic development triumph. But it didn't come cheap. Government officials approved a massive package of money and perks for a company that has a history of leaving communities to cut costs and has made no guarantee to stay in Memphis for the long term. Officials performed minimal due diligence and signed away rights to recover most of the money if the company falls short of job-creation goals.

    Tags: Electrolux; Memphis; job creation

    By Daniel Connolly; Amos Maki; Roland Klose

    Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.)

    2011

  • The Puddingstone Group

    The Puddingstone Group is a real estate investment company started in 1999 by a judge, a banker, and a real estate developer, which has become involved in dozens of lawsuits arising from alleged predatory practices, breaches of legal ethics, campaign contributions, and collusion with businesses, banks, and politicians.

    Tags: Real Estate; Legal Ethics

    By Justin Zaremba

    North Jersey Media Group

    2011

  • Questions Are Raised on Restraint Training

    This examination detailed how school districts across California have relied on dubious techniques developed by an obscure industry to physically restrain unruly students. While few of these restraint maneuvers are grounded in evidence-based research, they are used to subdue students who are emotionally disturbed or mentally disabled -- some of the most difficult and sensitive situations that teachers encounter. The story also found that there is little regulatory oversight of the restraint industry.

    Tags: California; students; restraint

    By Jennifer Gollan

    The Bay Citizen

    2011

  • The Well Connected

    The Gazette revealed how a developer in Charleston improperly secured $3.67 million in federal stimulus funds to build a low-income housing project with help from West Virginia's treasurer.

    Tags: federal stimulus; housing project; state officials

    By Eric Eyre

    Charleston Gazette

    2012

  • Lost Lake, Lost Dreams

    A story focused on how a Tacoma developer's bankruptcy and real estate practices at a site marketed as a luxury RV park affected ordinary buyers, some of whom were unable to get deeds for RV lots that they had purchased, even after placing large sum's of cash in the developer's hands.

    Tags: Real Estate; Bankruptcy

    By Jeremy Pawloski

    News Tribune (Tacoma

    2011

  • 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

    By Dan Kane; David Raynor

    News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)

    2011