New: In the last ten years, reading and math scores have dropped in most school districts nationwide.
One expert called the trend "an enormous problem."
The data, plus more reporting from around the country, in this week's Off the News. Link in bio.
In March, Buffalo police shot and killed a man living on the East Side.
He was a tenant in an illegal boarding house.
Investigative Post then looked into the other properties owned by the landlord, Andre Foster. We found unpaid bills, numerous code violations and unsafe living conditions.
Our latest investigation is up now at InvestigativePost.org.
New: The City of Buffalo is set to pay $6 million to the widow of firefighter Jason Arno who died in an early 2023 fire.
One reason the settlement is so high: The city's use of "acting time," a practice in which it allows lower-ranked firefighters to act as senior officers to avoid paying overtime. The practice was used during the fire that killed Arno.
Up now at InvestigativePost.org
New: Using a rare national security provision, the Trump administration has exempted some of the nation's biggest polluters from clean air rules.
No forms, no complicated applications required. Just an email. The EPA said the White House ran the program.
A ProPublica investigation, up now on InvestigativePost.org
New: In this week's Off the News, Editor Jim Heaney covers the public pension battle in Albany.
Gov. Hochul, with the blessing of lawmakers, is considering costly plans to improve retirement benefits for the public sector.
Taxpayers would foot the bill.
Link in bio.
Investigative Post's J. Dale Shoemaker appeared on Channel 7 this week to take you inside all the latest drama happening inside Western Regional Off-Track Betting.
A factionalized workplace. A new lawsuit. A former boss on a "revenge tour."
Read more at: investigativepost.org
"Not a real audit." "Flat out wrong." "It's a political document."
That's what former CEO Henry Wojtaszek had to say about the state Comptroller's critical audit of Western Regional Off-Track Betting. He addressed the report for the first time publicly Tuesday evening before the Niagara County Legislature.
Up now at Investigative Post dot org.
New: Former OTB boss Henry Wojtaszek is "on his revenge tour."
As the former CEO seeks to assert his influence over the public gambling agency, turmoil has beset Batavia Downs. A new lawsuit claims a longtime employee allied with Wojtaszek was wrongfully fired by Brown.
The man wants $15 million in damages.
Story up now on Investigative Post dot org.
New: WBEN radio host Tom Bauerle's family feud continues.
In court papers, his siblings accuse him of manipulating their dying mother to get a larger share of the will. In response, he accuses them of defamation.
The drama has been ongoing for two years.
Story up now on investigativepost dot org
New: As the wealthy move to Florida and other states, Buffalo has lost millions, according to IRS data.
But it's not just a Buffalo problem.
Editor Jim Heaney explains the reasons behind the entire state's wealth exodus in this week's Off the News.
For this and more fresh news, head to the link in bio.
New: A government watchdog wanted to see copies of the daily calendars kept by Erie County lawmakers. So he filed a records request.
He was told no such records exist.
He then devised a test that, he alleges, proves the calendars do, in fact, exist.
He's now suing to have the county turn them over.
Court records detail how federal agents busted a human smuggling operation that aimed to ferry migrants from Canada into the U.S.
Such operations have become more frequent since Trump took office again.
Our partners at Toronto's Investigative Journalism Bureau report.
Link in bio.
