Those Meddling Kids

The new version of FEMA trailers may be available in hues of...

Fri, 22 May 2009 12:49:54 -0400

The new version of FEMA trailers may be available in hues of rose and peach, include cozy front porches and full-size kitchen cabinets, but the cosmetic touches can’t mask a question: Are there enough to dispatch to Florida in the event of a major hurricane? (via)

Philly Board of Revision of Taxes member fired

Thu, 21 May 2009 18:28:36 -0400

Philly Board of Revision of Taxes member fired:

We did an extensive series about this a little while ago.

Those meddling kids tend to keep an annoyingly close eye on the...

Tue, 19 May 2009 17:16:00 -0400

Those meddling kids tend to keep an annoyingly close eye on the federal purse strings.

“Contractors helped shape the (federal) stimulus package and are lined up to get the work, including many that have been cited for serious safety violations and costly mistakes.” The Washington Post, Monday, May 18. (via)

Miami Herald: FBI joins probe of Guatemala lawyer's death

Fri, 15 May 2009 13:44:26 -0400

Miami Herald: FBI joins probe of Guatemala lawyer's death:

U.S. officials have confirmed to The Miami Herald that the FBI has joined the investigation of a murdered Guatemalan lawyer who — in a postmortem video — accused President Alvaro Colom of ordering his death. (via)

Architecture critic changes city's decision

Fri, 15 May 2009 11:08:39 -0400

Two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Inga Saffron criticized the city in her architecture column for building an unadorned span to replace the old South Street Bridge.

Within days, the city reversed course and will incorporate decorative elements.

More results from newspaper investigative...

Thu, 14 May 2009 11:20:30 -0400

More results from newspaper investigative reporting…

“Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Willis W. Berry demonstrated “stupidity” by running a real estate business out of his chambers, but it did not rise to the level that the state should strip him of his robe, his attorney argued yesterday. …

The state Judicial Conduct Board accused Berry of disrepute in January after an investigation by The Inquirer found that for more than a decade he had run a real estate business out of his judicial office and used his taxpayer-paid secretary to assist him with that work.”

Newspapers also bring families together: “On Jan. 29, The...

Thu, 14 May 2009 10:05:33 -0400

Newspapers also bring families together:

“On Jan. 29, The Inquirer published an article about Tent City, a homeless encampment of nearly 20 people inside the I-676 exit onto Federal Street. Neal Floyd, 53, was quoted. … Ten days later, (his sister) was at her computer at Fort Bragg, N.C., where she works in a civilian job helping military families with their housing. Every once in a while, she would do a search for his name.

“All of a sudden, I see that article. My heart stopped. I was like, ‘Oh my God, Neal.’”

For a homeless man, rescue from the streets - The Philadelphia Inquirer, Feb. 14, 2009.

The human cost of a newspaper investigation

Thu, 14 May 2009 09:52:03 -0400

Sometimes, it’s not a glib feel-good story.

“Philadelphia Academy Charter School founder Brien N. Gardiner, under federal investigation in connection with his management of the school, committed suicide yesterday afternoon, police said. … Gardiner founded Philadelphia Academy in Northeast Philadelphia in 1999; he also opened the Northwood Academy Charter School in 2005, and at one time was chief executive of both charters.

He later became a consultant at Philadelphia Academy. That contract was terminated last spring, after The Inquirer disclosed that the Philadelphia School District inspector general was investigating allegations of financial mismanagement, nepotism, and conflicts of interest at the school.

A federal criminal investigation … was launched later last spring.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 14, 2009.

Loans to cities escape scrutiny

Wed, 13 May 2009 15:03:37 -0400

Loans to cities escape scrutiny:

A Tennessean investigation into the loan program has found that despite touting itself as a “nonprofit governmental” entity, the fund doesn’t play by the rules of government. It won’t disclose how much Seivers is paid, nor the details of his outside consulting business and potential conflicts of interest. (via)

The results of newspaper investigation - A Progression.

Wed, 13 May 2009 12:10:44 -0400

“Girl wasted away under DHS care,” The Inquirer, October 2006.

“Mother sentenced to 40 years in death of Daniel Kelly,” The Inquirer, April 2009.

“Two plead guilty to perjury in Daniel Kelly case,” The Inquirer, May 2009.

Executive Privilege from the Raleigh (NC) News & Observer - "Easley's secret flights skirted the law."

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:37:50 -0400

Executive Privilege from the Raleigh (NC) News & Observer - "Easley's secret flights skirted the law.":

The lede: “While he was governor, Mike Easley turned a small group of influential North Carolina businessmen into his own private air service, an arrangement Easley kept secret.”

Thanks to Andy Bechtel for the link.

"Construction workers had been dying at a rate of one every six weeks in the $32 billion building..."

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:19:12 -0400

““Construction workers had been dying at a rate of one every six weeks in the $32 billion building boom on the Las Vegas Strip. But deaths stopped last year after the Las Vegas Sun exposed serious safety flaws on the sites and detailed how lax oversight by safety regulators failed to prevent accidents.””

- The Las Vegas Sun, another recipient of a Pulitzer Prize.

This guy might still be governor of New York, if it...

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:04:50 -0400

This guy might still be governor of New York, if it weren’t for those meddling kids at the New York Times.

They won a prize for that, too.

"It only stopped for one reason. It only stopped for the same reason that everything else stops in..."

Wed, 13 May 2009 10:49:42 -0400

““It only stopped for one reason. It only stopped for the same reason that everything else stops in this case,” Zauzmer told jurors. “The publicity starts in The Philadelphia Inquirer in November 2003 and that was the end of the scheme.””

- Fumo: Guilty on all counts, The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 17, 2009.

This guy would likely still be the mayor of Detroit if it...

Wed, 13 May 2009 10:20:47 -0400

This guy would likely still be the mayor of Detroit if it weren’t for those meddling kids at the Detroit Free Press.

This effort won the Freep the Pulitzer Prize.

A week ago, The Inquirer published an investigation of...

Wed, 13 May 2009 10:14:47 -0400

A week ago, The Inquirer published an investigation of Philadelphia’s dysfunctional Board of Revision of Taxes.

This week, Mayor Michael Nutter called on the board to step down.

Today, our coverage continues.