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 "six flags" ...
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Thrilled to Death
This story took a look at amusement parks in Texas and found evidence of numerous serious injuries, faulty ride maintenance, and negligent behavior on the part of employees. It found several amusement park operators had failed to report numerous injuries to state regulators, in violation of Texas law. It also found evidence that state and federal regulations and enforcement are inadeqate to ensure ride safety.
Tags: amusement parks; ride safety; Texas Department of Insurance; Six Flags; government safety regulations for amusement parks
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Magic Mountain
Six Flags is one of the largest regional park company and this investigation looks at how some of the guards at these amusement parks are trained to target African-Americans and Latino customers. It also reveals that a person visiting the amusement park in Southern California was an Olympic gold winner who was humiliated at the theme park.
Tags: racial profiling; discrimination; African- American; Mexicans; Latino; Olympics; Southern California; six flags; amusement parks; racial profiling by security
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Case Closed: Death in Day Care
Three-part series on day care by the News & Observer found that "in the past four years, 33 North Carolina children have died in day-care facilities, an average of one death every six weeks. A review of those deaths found that, in some cases, state child-care regulators failed to act despite red flags indicating a day care was unsafe." For this series, the News & Observer looked into deaths that occurred in day care facilities, and discovered some which should have been prevented. The series also deals with unlicensed day care facilities operating across the state, "with little fear of being caught or punished." Additionally, the series looks at the occurences of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the most common cause of death in day care, and what North Carolina does (or does not) do to reduce the risk of SIDS. For example, despite experts' assertions that "placing babies on their backs can lower the risk," North Carolina day care facilities do not require such steps to be taken.
Tags: day care; child care; health; SIDS; sudden infant death syndrome; negligence; children; infant; baby
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Free Ride
The Star-Telegram reports that Six Flags Over Texas did not follow the law "that requires parks to report injuries during the three-month period in which they occurred." The newspaper found over 30 lawsuits that the state was not told about. Texas park safety laws declare "annual inspections should be done by insurance companies because they have a financial interest, along with the parks, in keeping patrons safe." But some say that "allowing businesses to regulate themselves opens the door to problems, even if they have every reason to ensure patrons' safety." Sean Wood and Jennifer Autrey report more on the injury reporting law and amusement park safety records.
Tags: amusement parks; safety; consumers; injuries; insurance; International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions; annual inspections; Department of Insurance; Consumer Product Safety Commission; ride safety law