Archive
What Philadelphia Reveals About America’s Homicide Surge
There are many explanations for the rise in killings in U.S. cities, including the pandemic and the choices made in response to it. In Philadelphia, the causes, the human costs — and the suffering — are particularly stark.
The Women on the Other End of the Phone
Women make up an overwhelming majority of the customer service workers in the U.S. who work for low pay and zero benefits. Why are these jobs so gendered? And how can we be better customers for the women who work them?
Michigan Supreme Court Limits Use of Restraints on Juveniles
A year after Grace’s story drew national attention when she was jailed for not doing her online schoolwork, outcry over the shackling of young people in court has resulted in a ban on the practice unless there’s a risk of physical harm or flight.
The Number of People With IRAs Worth $5 Million or More Has Tripled, Congress Says
After ProPublica revealed that some wealthy Americans hold Roth IRAs worth hundreds of millions — compared to $39,000 for the average account holder — Democrats requested data. It shows more than 28,000 people with IRAs worth $5 million or more.
Revisiting “The Year of the Spy”
In 1985, covering a remarkable case of Chinese espionage left a lasting impression on editor Stephen Engelberg. Here, he recalls the trial in light of a new investigation that has the twists and turns of a spy novel.
Immigration Prosecutors Were Told Not to Push for Deportation in Cases Like His. He Was Ordered Deported the Next Day.
Under a new Biden policy, more than 100,000 immigrants could have their cases dropped. But that discretion is left to individual prosecutors, and many are letting the deportation machine roll on.
Senate Banking Chair Asks CFPB How It Plans to Address Risks of Chime and Other Banking Apps
Citing a ProPublica report on the high numbers of complaints about involuntary Chime account closures and other problems, Sherrod Brown asked the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to lay out a plan for overseeing neobanks.
Video Evidence Shown in the Capitol Insurrection Criminal Cases
ProPublica and a coalition of 15 other news organizations have been arguing for access to video exhibits shown in the criminal cases against the accused Jan. 6 rioters. We’ll add new videos as we get them.
How Unemployment Insurance Fraud Exploded During the Pandemic
Bots filing bogus applications in bulk, teams of fraudsters in foreign countries making phony claims, online forums peddling how-to advice on identity theft: Inside the infrastructure of perhaps the largest fraud wave in history.
Future of Program for Brain-Damaged Children Now Rests With Powerful Florida Official
Florida’s chief financial officer must name new board members for the Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association, as his office undertakes an audit and an investigation prompted by our reporting.
“Don’t You Work With Old People?”: Many Elder-Care Workers Still Refuse to Get COVID-19 Vaccine
Amid a “pandemic of the unvaccinated,” more than 40% of the nation’s nursing home and long-term health care workers have yet to receive vaccinations.
Operation Fox Hunt: How China Exports Repression Using a Network of Spies Hidden in Plain Sight
China sends covert teams abroad to bring back people accused — justifiably or not — of financial crimes. One New Jersey family was stalked as part of a global campaign that takes families hostage and pressures immigrants to serve as spies.
Tax-Funded Forest Institute in Oregon Misled Public, May Have Broken State Law, Audit Finds
State auditors found that an agency intended to educate the public about forestry presented biased information favoring the timber industry and possibly violated state law. The audit was prompted by our investigation last year into the agency.
GOP Legislators in Missouri Oppose Vaccine Efforts as State Becomes COVID Hotspot
Representative Bill Kidd joked that he didn’t get a vaccine because he’s a Republican. Now he has COVID.
“We’re Not Allowed to Hang Up”: The Harsh Reality of Working in Customer Service
In their own voices, seven customer service representatives reveal what it’s like being caught between abusive callers and demanding employers.
Campaign Spending at Trump Properties Down, but Not Out
New filings show federal political committees significantly scaled back spending at Trump-owned hotels and restaurants, though some loyalist campaigns remain.
Testing the Air to Tell a Story: How We Investigated Air Pollution Near Florida’s Sugar Fields
A look at the community engagement and citizen data-collection that made our major investigation in the Florida Glades come to life.
