We measure the success of our work by impact, by which we mean real-world change spurred by our reporting. A fuller exploration of how ProPublica thinks about impact can be found in our white paper, Nonprofit Journalism: Issues Around Impact. Examples of how our stories have produced such change — from the resignation of corrupt officials to the passage of new laws — are compiled in our annual reports. We also report on the impact of our work throughout the year. The latest stories are available below.
Impact
Featured
A Political Boss Goes Down
Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, one of the last leaders of the old Democratic machine, loses the Democratic primary to a wealthy political newcomer.
Red Cross General Counsel David Meltzer Resigns Over Handling of Sexual Assault and Harassment Allegations
The charity’s CEO, Gail McGovern, announced Meltzer’s resignation this morning following a ProPublica story last week.
Nevada Pardons Wrongfully Convicted Man Featured in Our Story
The pardon clears Fred Steese’s name after state prosecutors had pushed him into an arcane plea deal even though a judge had declared he was innocent. “I’m not a felon anymore,” Steese said.
Stories
Nonprofit Watchdog Group Shutting Down
Project Six is closing its doors following our story revealing conservative donors.
Fair Housing Groups Sue Facebook for Allowing Discrimination in Housing Ads
Borrowing from ProPublica’s playbook, advocates created fake companies and bought discriminatory ads on the social network.
Here’s One Issue Blue and Red States Agree On: Preventing Deaths of Expectant and New Mothers
From Indiana to Oregon, lawmakers are passing bills to increase scrutiny of maternal deaths. Often, they’re citing our “Lost Mothers” series.
Atomwaffen, Extremist Group Whose Members Have Been Charged in Five Murders, Loses Some of Its Platforms
Three technology companies have banned the neo-Nazi group from using their online services after reporting by ProPublica. Atomwaffen’s t-shirt retailer is out, as well.
Top Lawmakers Call for Investigation of DEA-Led Unit in Mexico
Democratic leaders in the House and the Senate cited ProPublica’s reporting into the DEA’s role in two operations in Mexico that resulted in dozens, perhaps hundreds, of deaths.
Congressman Calls For Investigation Of Conservative Think Tank
Veteran Democrat Lipinski joins critics of the Illinois Policy Institute with a letter to the IRS.
Cook County’s Residential Property Tax Assessments Deeply Unfair, Independent Study Confirms
Findings that assessments were error-ridden and burdened the poor undermine Assessor Joseph Berrios’ claims that he properly valued residential property.
Florida Bill Seeks to Stop Arrests of Injured Immigrant Workers
The bill follows an investigation by ProPublica and NPR, which found that insurance companies were turning in unauthorized immigrants who were injured on the job.
As March Primary Nears, Study on Cook County Property Tax System Still Under Wraps
Initial mid-December deadline for review gives way to new release date: late February.
Congressman’s Bill Would Force Trump Administration to Fulfill Pledge to Study Racial Disparities in Auto Insurance Pricing
Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., cited our report that minority neighborhoods pay higher car insurance premiums than white areas with the same risk.
Judge: Kushner Company Must Reveal Identities of Real Estate Partners
The ruling comes in a class-action lawsuit filed by tenants of Kushner-managed apartment complexes in the Baltimore area.
Manhattan District Attorney Says He’ll No Longer Accept Contributions From Lawyers With Cases Before Him
Cy Vance had faced criticism after declining to prosecute high-profile defendants such as Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr. and Harvey Weinstein, whose lawyers had donated to his campaign.
Baltimore Judge Tosses Alford Plea, Rebuking Prosecutor
Demetrius Smith has long maintained he pleaded guilty to a shooting he did not commit. Now, over the prosecutor's objections, his conviction has been set aside.
Jacksonville City Council President and Local Public Defender Call for Suspension of Pedestrian Ticket Writing
A legal bulletin by the Jacksonville state attorney supports the finding that sheriff’s officers have been issuing hundreds of tickets in error, a disproportionate number of them to blacks.
AARP and Key Senators Urge Companies to End Age Bias in Recruiting on Facebook
A ProPublica/New York Times report last month has raised concerns about online job ads discriminating against older workers.
Baltimore Prosecutor Admits He Was Wrong to Block Request to Alter Alford Plea
A ProPublica story last month pointed out that the prosecutor had given up his right to veto changes to the unusual plea deal. Demetrius Smith, who was wrongfully convicted of murder when he agreed to the deal, will get a new hearing.
