Jim Heaney

Jim Heaney is editor and executive director of Investigative Post. He was an investigative reporter with The Buffalo News from 1986 to 2011 and a reporter and editor with The Orlando Sentinel from 1980-86. His coverage over the years has focused on economic development, local and state government, politics, education, housing and transportation, and he was an early practitioner of computer-assisted reporting. Heaney has won more than 20 journalism awards and was a finalist for the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting.

Jan 2

2022

The top iPost story of 2021

Our best story of 2021, according to an online poll of readers, documented the contamination of local waterways by a nasty strain of bacteria. The waterways, polluted with E. coli, include the Black Rock Canal, the Buffalo River and Cazenovia Creek. Sewage overflows are the source of the problem, according to a report by Phil Gambini, who covers environmental and public health issues for Investigative Post. Other top vote getters included: Geoff Kelly’s report on a rally staged by City Hall patronage employees in support of Byron Brown after the mayor lost the Democratic primary in June. Mark Scheer’s story[...]

Posted 4 years ago

Dec 23

2021

iPost suit prompts release of stadium reports

Since August, Investigative Post has been pressing Kathy Hochul’s administration to release two studies related to a proposed new stadium for the Buffalo Bills. The state’s response: We couldn’t possibly. The governor’s people told us the documents, “if disclosed, would impair present or imminent contract awards.” Our response: We filed a lawsuit seeking their release under the state Freedom of Information Law. In the face of that litigation, the Hochul administration Thursday released what appears to be one of the two studies, along with two other documents that may be a portion of the other report we’re suing to obtain.[...]

Posted 4 years ago

Dec 21

2021

Poor leadership on display in stadium talks

It looks like Buffalo is going to keep its losing streak intact when it comes to major planning decisions. You know the history. Expanding the University at Buffalo campus in Amherst is the mother of bad planning decisions. Add to the list running the Scajaquada Expressway through the middle of Delaware Park and dividing the East Side, and its majestic Humboldt Parkway, with the Kensington Expressway. The Skyway, anyone? And, of course, building a football stadium in Orchard Park. We’re about to see history repeat itself with Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement Monday that she’s good with replacing the stadium in[...]

Posted 4 years ago

Dec 1

2021

Darth Vader is eyeing The Buffalo News

The past decade have been tough times for The Buffalo News. Declining circulation. Smaller profits. Deep cuts in the newsroom staff, resulting in less local news coverage. Things may soon become much more difficult. Alden Global Capital, regarded as the Darth Vader of newspaper chains, has made an offer to buy Lee Enterprises, whose holdings include The News. Alden announced its intentions last week and Lee responded as you would expect to what is clearly a hostile takeover attempt. No matter, the vultures are circling. Chains in general are bad for daily newspapers. Alden is the worst of them. “Every[...]

Posted 4 years ago

Dec 1

2021

iPost sues to obtain Bills stadium studies

Investigative Post filed a lawsuit in state Supreme Court today seeking the release of two studies that are central to negotiations involving a proposed new stadium for the Buffalo Bills. Both studies were commissioned by Pegula Sports and Entertainment, which is affiliated with the Bills, and shared with Empire State Development, the state’s primary economic development agency. One study considered the feasibility of building a new stadium or renovating Highmark Stadium, the cost of doing so, and the possible location of a new venue. The other study evaluated the economic impact of the Bills and other sports and entertainment holdings[...]

Posted 4 years ago

Nov 16

2021

Double your money with a donation to iPost

This is an important time of the year for nonprofits, as it’s when they raise a lot of money that helps sustain and grow their operations. So it is for Investigative Post, as well. Donors who support us can be confident they’ll get a good bang for their buck. While we’re far from the largest news organization, our reporting has great impact. Contributions of up to $1,000 made by the end of the year are matched by a consortium that includes the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Try-It Distributing and NewsMatch, a collection of national foundations and media companies who[...]

Posted 4 years ago

Nov 13

2021

Envisioning a thriving WNY

Editor’s note: A version of this column appeared in Buffalo Spree. My wife recently told me of an acquaintance who was moving to California. My response: Who would want to move to California? The land of forest fires, droughts and water shortages? The same could be said of much of the West and Southwest. It’s not uninhabitable – yet – but give it another generation and you’re likely to see an out-migration. That represents an opportunity for cities around the Great Lakes, including Buffalo and Western New York. We’ll never run out of water. Massive forest fires? Nah. Ditto for[...]

Posted 4 years ago

Nov 10

2021

Heaney discusses mayor’s race on ‘Pressroom

Jim Heaney fielded questions from David Lombardo, host of The Capitol Pressroom, about the race between Byron Brown and India Walton. Heaney offered an assessment on the strengths and shortcomings of each candidate’s campaign. Give a listen.

Posted 4 years ago