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ProPublica — Investigative Journalism and News in the Public Interest

Brian Chilson/Arkansas Times

We’re Reporters, Not Teachers. We Were Able to Start Private Schools Anyway.

Our reporting has shown how easily people — some with questionable backgrounds — have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and other places. That led us to an experiment: If the hurdles to open a school are so low, could we do it?

It’s Easy to Start a Private School. Take Our Quiz to Find Out Where You Can Open Yours.

Watch: We Uncovered Bribery Allegations Involving Susan Collins

In late 2024, FBI investigators had enough evidence to launch a sweeping bribery probe of politicians including Sen. Susan Collins — until Trump gutted the unit in charge. ProPublica has revealed the existence of the case for the first time.

The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way

Susan Collins Dismissed Our Reporting as Old News. Some of Her Claims Aren’t True.

Oregon Housing and Community Services

Her Agency Distributes Billions for Housing Projects. Her Husband’s Company Helped Develop Some of Them.

Andrea Bell, executive director of Oregon Housing and Community Services, filed amended state ethics paperwork after ProPublica asked about her husband’s work at a firm that’s consulted on projects receiving or in line for money from her agency.

1 Month Ago: Oregon Is Spending More Than Ever on Low-Income Housing. A State Law Keeps the Details Secret.

Sarah Miller for ProPublica. Last names on headstones redacted by ProPublica to protect children’s identities.

Four Kids in One Faith-Healing Family Died. Authorities Could Do Nothing.

An exemption in Idaho law shields faith-healing parents from criminal prosecution for conduct that otherwise would be charged as neglect. It also keeps police and social workers from stepping in to protect a dead child’s surviving siblings.

1 Month Ago: Idaho Law Protects Faith Healers. It Wasn’t Always That Way.

1 Month Ago: Children in a Faith-Healing Sect Keep Dying. The State Lets It Happen.

Courtesy of Emily Marris

A Girl Nearly Died After Drinking Raw Milk. The State Did Little to Punish the Unlicensed Farmer Who Sold It.

California is teeming with black-market dairies, propped up by consumer demand fueled by misinformation. With evidence against one raw goat milk farm, regulators could have sought punitive action. But that’s not what happened.

4 Months Ago: He Profits Off Raw Milk That’s Making People Sick. The Government Isn’t Stopping Him.

Podcast Paper Trail

Who’s the Shadow President?

Under the second Trump administration, the White House has often ignored Congress to carry out its agenda. Entire agencies, like USAID, have been gutted. ICE has grown explosively. Behind it all is one man you may not have heard of: Russell Vought.

View More Stories Do you have a tip? If you have information or documents that you can share, we want to hear from you.

ProPublica is a nonprofit, investigative newsroom that exposes corruption. We report in all 50 states and partner with local newsrooms. Our work spurs real-world impact and has received numerous awards, including nine Pulitzer Prizes. Read more

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Events

The Wild West of School Vouchers

Join us to discuss how a surge in public funding is changing the private school landscape and what it means for families.

Oct. 6, 4 pm EDT

Virtual

Arizona Lawmaker Proposes More Federal Support for English Fluency Services

Tennessee Lawmakers Demand Answers on Safety in State Youth Prisons

Oregon Lawmakers Seek to Open Up Affordable Housing Records Following ProPublica’s Reporting

Top Oversight Dem Opens Investigation of Donald Trump Jr.’s Russian Oligarch-Funded Wedding

Homeland Security Opens Child Exploitation Probe Into Banned Texas Volleyball Coach

California Lawmakers Pass Bill to Punish Administrators Who Fail to Vet Teachers for Misconduct

He Spent 27 Years on Death Row as a Wrongfully Convicted Man. What Comes Next?

Senators Criticize Trump Administration’s Demands to Access Health Data as a Condition for Lifesaving Aid

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