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 "maps" ...

  • Redistricting

    The investigation shows how sophisticated voter data, skilled map drawers, and lobbyists were used to manipulate district lines to protect their political friends or punish their enemies.

    Tags: redistricting; lobbyists; maps; special interest

    By Olga Pierce; Jeff Larson; Lois Beckett

    ProPublica

    2011

  • Testing the System

    The story focused on mandated state standardized tests and whether radical gains in scores in some schools or classrooms were real or the product of cheating.

    Tags: standardized tests; No Child Left Behind; tests; MAP tests; classroom; teachers; cheating

    By Marisol Bello; Jack Gillum; Greg Toppo; Jodi Upton; Linda Matthews;

    USA Today (Arlington

    2011

  • "The Transportation Lobby"

    The team at The Center for Public Integrity launch a database of transportation lobbyists and integrated that with an interactive map. Search by public/private sector, lobbying firm, or project.

    Tags: transportation; bill; lobby; lobbyiests

    By Matthew Lewis, Erik Lincoln, M.B. Pell, David Donald, Gordon Witkin, Julie Vorman, Aaron Mehta

    Center for Public Integrity (Washington, D.C.)

    2010

  • "The Transportation Lobby"

    After discovering that there are more than 1,800 transportation interest groups the team at The Center for Public Integrity "compiled a database of transportation lobbyists and integrated that with an interactive map." Search by location, public/private sector, lobbying firm, or project.

    Tags: transportation; lobbyists; interest groups; road lobby

    By Matthew Lewis, Erik Lincoln, M.B. Pell, David Donald, Gordon Witkin, Julie Vorman, Aaron Mehta

    Center for Public Integrity (Washington, D.C.)

    2010

  • Hung Out to Dry

    FEMA is currently in the “final stages of revisiting all of the flood maps throughout the country”. The investigation revealed major problems in the mapping and these mistakes could be costly to the residents in these areas. These residents living in the “flood zones” must pay flood insurance or risk losing their homes. Many of the residents believe they should be excluded from the flood area and come together to prove FEMA wrong.

    Tags: Federal Emergency Management Agency; South Central Los Angeles; Oxford; Southern California; disaster; relief; help; flood base level

    By Karen Foshay; Judy Muller; Bret Marcus; Justine Schmidt; Lata Pandya; Brian Frank; Alberto Arce

    KCET-TV (Los Angeles, Calif.)

    2009

  • Economic Stress Map

    The AP Economic Stress Map was conceived as a way to graphically analyze the impact of the recession on American communities, and to track changes over time. The map was first published on May 17, 2009 and is updated monthly. It plots three key economic indicators: unemployment; foreclosures; and bankruptcies.

    Tags: economic meltdown; foreclosures; bankruptcies; unemployment; mapping; US; America; United States

    By Mike Baker; John Balestrieri; Brian Carovillano; Allen Chen; Matthew Fordahl; Jake O'Connell; Carrie Osgood; Peter Prengaman; Mike Schneider; David Scott; Troy Thibodeaux;

    Associated Press

    2009

  • Small Town Justice

    Jean Claude Meus was convicted of vehicular homicide and sentenced to 15 years in prison. The Florida Highway Patrol put together evidence showing Meus fell asleep at the wheel, lost control of his semi truck and overturned on minivan, killing a mother and daughter. The investigative team interviewed the first witness on the scene of the accident, who said Meus was alert and helpful immediately after the crash. Using evidence obtained from measurements, photos, etc., the asked an outside expert to map the scene and reconstruct the crash. The conclusion? Meus was awake and intentionally steered his truck off the roadway. The story fit with what Meus said, that he had swerved to avoid an oncoming car and lost control before overturning onto the van. When two jurors on the case agreed to meet with the new team and look at the new evidence, they concluded they would not have been able to convict Meus if this information had been presented at trial.

    Tags: wrongful conviction; Florida; vehicular homicide; reconstructed evidence; mapping; highway patrol

    By Doug Smith; Lisa Blegen;Craig Davisson

    WTVT-TV (Tampa, Fla.)

    2008

  • Lost Ambulances

    "Many people think GPS will lead people in the right direction, including 911 operators. One operator made a critical mistake not taking down directions and assuming the county's 911 mapping system would lead the ambulance in the right direction. What she didn't know is more than 40 RV and trailer parks did not show up in that mapping system."

    Tags: Lee County EMS; response time; maps; EMT;

    By Melissa Yeager; Lauren Sweeney; Brad Dotson

    WINK-TV (Fort Myers, Fla.)

    2008

  • Toxic Neighbors

    Industrial plants with toxic chemicals were located blocks from homes, apartment complexes and schools. Some were found across the street from residences. The staff mapped where hazardous material sites were located in relation to densely-populated areas.

    Tags: housing; toxins; poison; factory; zoning; subdivision; inner city; EPA; health; chlorine;

    By Michael Grabell; Ed Timms; Maud Beelman; Jennifer LaFleur; Randy Lee Loftis; William DeShazer; Mei-Chuan Jau; Irwin Thompson; Michael Hamtil; Jason Sickles; April Kinser; Reyes Martinez

    Dallas Morning News

    2008

  • American's Neglected Levees

    Scripps reviewed the federal and state level system of levee oversight and found that no one at any level of government knows where all levees are, what they protect or what shape they are in. Thousands of communities are being forced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to get levees certified under a national upgrade of flood hazard maps, but even FEMA admits the standards are outdated and don't accurately reflect the risks to people behind them.

    Tags: FEMA; levee; flood; Army Corps of Engineers; infrastructure; National Levee Safety Committee; insurance

    By Lee Bowman; Thomas Hargrove

    Scripps Howard News Service

    2008