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 11
2017
WBFO reporter Michael Mroziak interviews Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to extend the Buffalo Billion program with an additional $500 million in funding. Heaney previously provided analysis to WGRZ on the topic.
Jan 9
2017
WGRZ News Anchor Maryalice Demler interviewed Editor Jim Heaney hours after Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled a broad outline of a $500 million extension of his Buffalo Billion program. You can catch Heaney’s comments in the video below or in the slightly revised text that follows. Heaney also provided analysis to WBFO. What do you find striking in the governor’s proposal? It’s very short on spending details. There’s no talk of reforms to avoid the corruption we’ve seen so far in the programs. But more than that, a lot of the spending has little or nothing to do with economic development. I[...]
Jan 5
2017
Susan Arbetter of The Capitol Pressroom interviews Jim Heaney on Carl Paladino’s latest outburst and his history of transgressions. The interview, which aired Thursday, runs from 22:16 to 36:51. It complements blog posts Heaney wrote regarding Paladino that can be found here and here.
Jan 1
2017
Dan Telvock’s reporting on Buffalo’s slipshod methods for testing drinking water for lead was voted by readers as Investigative Post’s top story of 2016. Looking for lead (in all the wrong places) edged out an investigation by Charlotte Keith into the awarding of a Buffalo Billion contract whose dynamics that bore a striking resemblance to the SolarCity factory deal that resulted in the filing of federal corruption charges. Between them, the two stories garnered 60 percent of the votes cast by readers. The best of the rest, according to voters, was Daniela Porat’s story about the inadequate training of Buffalo police[...]
Dec 29
2016
I’ll be among the first to tell you how loathsome Carl Paladino is. In fact, I have been among the first. When I reported for The Buffalo News I wrote stories that revealed Paladino for what he is: A self-described outsider who contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to politicians over the years, including those in a position to reward him with tax breaks and government contracts. A critic of government spending who has gotten rich off being one of the government’s biggest landlords in Western New York. A so-called champion of minority children who has steadfastly opposed African Americans[...]
Dec 24
2016
There’s been the racist, pornographic emails – women having sex with barnyard animals, anyone? The threat to take out newspaper columnist Fred Dicker. The mocking of African American colleagues on the School Board and, most recently, “damn Asian” students. So when I say Carl Paladino has reached a new low, you know I’m talking low. Really low. Even the Trump transition team took exception, calling the remarks “absolutely reprehensible.” Paladino, in his latest cry for attention, responded to an Artvoice survey about his hopes and desires, said he wanted President Barack Obama to die of mad cow disease and for First[...]
Dec 22
2016
Susan Arbetter of The Capitol Pressroom wrapped up 2016 with an hourlong interview with Jim Heaney, editor of Investigative Post; Michael Gormley, Albany correspondent for Newsday, and Ken Lovett, Albany bureau chief for The New York Daily News. The trio fielded questions on the top state stories of this year and the role of the press in a changing media landscape.
Dec 19
2016
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is matching donations of up to $1,000 made to Investigative Post through Jan. 19. Investigative Post is one of 57 nonprofit news organizations the Knight Foundation has selected to provide matching funds. “The desire for quality journalism and in-depth reporting is clear, as more and more people turn to nonprofit outlets for information they can trust,” said Jennifer Preston, Knight Foundation vice president for journalism. “With this effort, we are hoping to drive awareness and expand the donor base for nonprofit news organizations, big and small, that are producing journalism in the[...]