Local Reporting Network Archive
Washington State Budgets $1.6 Million for Study and Removal of Toxic Lights
Responding to a Seattle Times and ProPublica investigation, state lawmakers set aside funds after fluorescent lights leaked PCBs at a Seattle-area school for several years. But legislators say it’s only a first step.
These Native Hawaiians Waited Years for Homes on Their Ancestral Land. Then the Problems Began.
Hawaii hired a developer to build homes to deliver on a century-old promise of reparations to Native Hawaiians. But the state didn’t inspect construction. Homeowners said they’ve had water damage, air conditioning breakdowns and other issues.
Her Story Brought Down Alaska’s Attorney General. A Year Later, She Feels Let Down.
Nikki Dougherty White came forward to say Alaska’s acting attorney general had an inappropriate relationship with her when she was a teen, and he resigned. That was more than a year ago, and the state’s investigation has barely moved.
ACLU Sues Maine for Providing Ineffective Defense Counsel
Frustrated by a lack of progress, a “last resort” lawsuit on behalf of poor criminal defendants alleges a state commission’s public defense system violates defendants’ constitutional rights.
ProPublica and Partners Nominated for Four National Magazine Awards
A groundbreaking report mapping toxic air pollution and an investigation that sparked national outrage were among the nominations.
Representatives Introduce $500 Million Air Quality Bill, Citing ProPublica’s Investigations
Lawmakers introduced a House bill to fund air monitoring after ProPublica highlighted pollution in its “Black Snow” and “Sacrifice Zones” investigations. The bill is nearly identical to one introduced in the Senate last summer.
In San Francisco, Hundreds of Homes for the Homeless Sit Vacant
In spite of a growing Department of Homelessness with an annual budget of $598 million, eligible people still wait months or even years after being approved for assisted housing. Meanwhile, hundreds of units remain unused.
Colorado Homeowners: Do You Have Experience Dealing With an HOA? Help Us Investigate.
HOAs can help keep common areas clean and pay for upkeep, but residents who fall behind on dues or run afoul of the rules can find themselves at risk of losing their home.
Did You Get the Help You Needed After a Hurricane or Tropical Storm? We’re Investigating Disaster Relief.
Catastrophes don’t affect all Americans equally. We want to hear about your experiences applying for aid and paying for flood insurance.
How the Sugar Industry Makes Political Friends and Influences Elections
A city commissioner race in Florida provides a window into how the sugar industry cultivates political allies, who help protect its interests.
Toxic PCBs Festered at This Public School for Eight Years as Students and Teachers Grew Sicker
The EPA and others warned about potential contamination as far back as 2014. But Washington state law does not require schools or health departments to act on those findings.
Lawmakers Propose $600 Million to Fix Housing Program for Native Hawaiians
Hawaii legislators are seeking to infuse $600 million into the state’s native land program. The move follows a Star-Advertiser/ProPublica investigation that found that the state wasn’t returning many low-income beneficiaries to their ancestral land.
Tennessee Judge Who Illegally Jailed Children Plans to Retire, Will Not Seek Reelection
Since 2000, Judge Donna Scott Davenport has overseen juvenile justice in Rutherford County. Following reporting from Nashville Public Radio and ProPublica, public outcry and a bill seeking to oust the judge, Davenport announced her retirement.
We Are Seeking New Applicants for Our Local Reporting Network
ProPublica will partner with three more newsrooms on local accountability projects for a year starting in April 2022. Deadline to apply is Feb. 16.
New Documents Prove Tennessee County Disproportionately Jails Black Children, and It’s Getting Worse
Newly obtained reports show that Black children in Rutherford County are locked up more than twice as often as population size would suggest. And as the rest of the country has made progress on racial disparities, the county has gotten far worse.
