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 "rashes" ...
-
Betrayed
A former health inspector and environmental health specialist is now permanently disabled because of his exposure to toxic mold at his workplace, the Southern Nevada Health District's Environmental Health Wing, and he's not the only worker affected. Although his employer knew the problem existed (and was serious, as they are the agency that investigates and shuts down mold-infected sites) they fought correcting the situation, refused to re-locate infected workers, and contested their disability claims.
Tags: Mold; Air quality; Southern Nevada Health District; Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies at UNLV; rashes; Keck School of Medicine Environmental Sciences Laboratory at USC; Public Employees Retirement System of Nevada; U.S. Department of Labor Family and Medical Leave Act; Dan Pauluk; Apergillus; Stachybotrys; Yellow Rain; Aflatoxin; Saddam Hussein; Biological Weapons
-
The Gangs of Westchester: Boyz in the Burb
The 2 part series investigated the growing problem of gangs in the affluent suburban county of Westchester, right outside of New York. Despite the median price for a house resting at $700,000, violent drug gangs such as the Bloods, Crips, MS13, Vatos Locos, and Latin Kings have integrated themselves into the community. The city hierarchy refused to acknowledge the problem even with a rash of gang related shootings and stabbings.
Tags: gangs; Bloods; Crips; MS13; Vatos Locos; Latin Kings; drugs; Westchester County; gang violence; Yonkers
-
Falling Apart/Licensed, Bonded, Unaccountable
The Oregonian revealed that new residential structures across the Northwest are suffering sometimes catastrophic damage from moisture not just due to poor workmanship, but also to shoddy construction, trouble-prone building materials, inappropriate design and unanticipated complications caused by energy efficient building codes. The stories detail the financial and emotional impact on homeowners, how their dispute with builders has clogged the legal system and how builders have turned to the Legislature for protection from a rash of litigation. In addition, the investigation reveals that the Oregon Construction Contractors Board, the state agency charged with protecting consumers from bad contractors, has allowed builders with histories of incompetence, insolvency and unethical behavior to continue building, without notifying consumers of the dangers.
Tags: CAR; Oregon Construction Contractors Board; Northwest; Portland; construction defect litigation; builders; Oregon Legislature; Construction Claims Task Force; regulation
-
What's in your backyard?
The news team learned that several people complained the EPA never told them about toxic chemical waste contamination in their residential area. The waste was dumped near their homes or contaminated their water. Some residents eventually found out as they started to fall sick, but the EPA had known about the exposure for decades. The news team obtained the EPA database, mapped out where contaminants were concentrated and spotted the affected people. The source of contamination is traced to two steel companies. As a result, legislation is on the way, and authorities are testing soil and water.
Tags: backyard; toxic waste; chemical waste; EPA; Environmental Protection Agency; contaminants; dumping; toxic chemicals; arsenic; Health Department; contamination; pollution; drinking water; municipal water; skin rash; stomach problems; illness; potential health threat; secret; playground; pneumonia; tumor; lymphoma; pond; well water; benzene; cancer; toxin; steel warehouse; Unit 5; sludge
-
Working Overtime in Parma
An investigation by the Plain Dealer found that "dozens of Parma police officers have shirked their duties and bent the rules in pursuit of more money, aggravating the city's budget crisis." What's more, "the department commanders say they are powerless to stop them." Using open records requests to obtain a mass of data including police payroll, criminal citation and ticket data -- along with payroll sheets, duty records, personnel files and union requests, the Plain Dealer uncovered that crooked cops in Parma were not only retaliating against city attempts to reform the system with "an orchestrated and financial crippling work slow down," but they were also gaming the taxpayers for much more money than they were entitled to -- for instance swapping sick time for overtime to earn double the pay for a normal shift. The series spawned a rash of resignations and investigations in Parma.
Tags: parma; ohio; police; cops; corruption; overtime; pay; union; police department; database; criminal; payroll; slowdown; workforce; abuse; FOIA; open records; public records; CAR
-
Good Intentions, Bad Results
CBS 60 Minutes reports on "the adverse effects of Plan Colombia, the U.S. government's $1.3 billion aid package" intended to stem cocaine trade by fumigating coca fields in Colombia. The story reveals that after the fumigations farmers in Colombia experienced symptoms similar to ones from pesticide poisoning; the sprayed chemicals had not been tested and were a hundred times stronger than the U.S.-approved version; the fumigations killed not only coca plants but also legitimate crops and livestock.
Tags: health; safety; drugs; fever; rashes; EPA; Pesticide Action Network; Putumayo; TAPE; TRANSCRIPT
-
The Good Soldier
KTHV-TV investigates the death of an Arkansas National Guard soldier at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, First Sgt. Michael Gibson. According to military records, his first assignment at the fort when he arrived in June 1998 was to mow a field, "during which he said he ran over something with his mower that created a 'large white cloud.' Within three months, Gibson -- who had never seen a doctor outside routine check-ups for the guard -- was dead of mysterious causes with rashes, respiratory ailments and organ failure." A team of lawyers working for Gibson's widow found that the Army once used Chemical Agent Identification Sets at the fort. The Guard lied about the use of CAIS until the KTHV-TV, although the Guard denies any connection between the white cloud, Gibson's death and CAIS.
Tags: CAIS; Chemical Agent Identification Sets; Army; Fort Chaffee; Arkansas; Michael Gibson; death; TAPE; TRANSCRIPT
-
Used Mattress Investigation
An Extra investigation of a New York retailer revealed that they "were buying used, urine-stained, semen-stained, and vermin-infested mattresses from indigents. These organized criminals were rewrapping the old mattresses, sewing new labels on them and selling them as new mattresses in New York retail stores." Extra found victims of skin rashes caused by covered used mattresses.
Tags: TAPE TRANSCRIPT Mattress USA fraud business product safety false advertising
-
Inside Our Schools: Violence
The Saginaw News reports that "While talking heads moaned and groaned about the latest rash of youth violence in Saginaw, the News decided to take the issue to the people most effected by the epidemic--middle and high school students--and see what they thought. The response, overwhelming in its passion, revealed an unsettling acceptance of violence's role in their lives and, even more disturbing, a resignation to the belief that no one can change it."
Tags: children violence
-
Unhealthy Hospital?
The Anchorage, Alaska Daily News reports that "Valley Hospital workers wonder if there is a link between a 1983 poison gas leak and a recent rash of severe illness...But hospital administrators have met workers' questions about gas exposure with silence and legal challenges, according to court records and interviews..."
Tags: health care Ethylene oxide toxic working conditions hospital accident