Categories for Broadcast on WBFO

Feb 9

2017

Paying price for radioactive hotspots in Niagara

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John Raymond was about to sell his home in Lewiston until Environmental Protection Agency officials showed up last spring armed with radiation detectors. Turns out that Raymond’s basement had radon, a potent radioactive gas linked to lung cancer, at levels three times greater than regulatory limits. EPA officials said it’s possible Raymond has radioactive fill under his home that may be linked to similar material found across the street by Holy Trinity Cemetery. That’s where the EPA detected radioactivity more than 75 times higher than what’s normal for the local environment. “Basically I’m stuck,” Raymond said. “One of the guys[...]

Posted 9 years ago

Jan 11

2017

Heaney talks ‘Billion on WBFO

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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.

Posted 9 years ago

Jan 10

2017

Porat talks police training on WBFO

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Investigative Post reporter Daniela Porat discusses police use of force training in light of the recent incident involving a Buffalo Police Department SUV striking a civilian who was holding a knife. The interview aired Tuesday on WBFO’s Press Pass. Porat previously reported on the department’s lack of training in the use of force and weapons, and a lack of urgency by city leaders in addressing the problem. She and Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney also discussed the issue in a recent podcast.

Posted 9 years ago

Dec 6

2016

Telvock talks ECWA lead testing on WBFO

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Dan Telvock discusses his report on how the Erie County Water Authority cut corners in its testing program for lead in the drinking water supplied to most local suburbs, and the agency’s response to the report. The interview aired Tuesday, Dec. 6, on WBFO’s Press Pass.

Posted 9 years ago

Nov 15

2016

Second Buffalo Billion deal benefits Ciminelli

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U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara says the way LPCiminelli won the contract to build the SolarCity factory in Buffalo was criminal. The deal-making behind another Buffalo Billion project that LPCiminelli had previously landed, to build space for biotech company Albany Molecular Research Inc., bears some striking similarities to the way the company won the SolarCity work, Investigative Post has found. In both cases, for example, lobbyist Todd Howe worked for LPCiminelli and the state-affiliated economic development agency that managed Buffalo Billion projects and chose which companies would win contracts. Howe has pled guilty to federal corruption charges and is cooperating with[...]

Posted 9 years ago

Nov 1

2016

Porat talks police training on WBFO

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Daniela Porat discusses her report on problems with how the Buffalo Police Department trains officers in the use of force. Interview aired Tuesday on WBFO’s Press Pass.

Posted 9 years ago

Oct 31

2016

Tempting a Ferguson in Buffalo

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As the body count rises – nearly 1,800 civilians fatally shot by police nationwide the past two years – a growing number of law enforcement agencies are retraining their officers to minimize their use of force. Police are being trained on how to de-escalate volatile situations and make smart use of their firearms. It’s part of a policy and cultural shift intended to avoid the Ferguson-type scenarios that have rocked city after city the past couple of years. “Police departments really need to embrace this and get in front of this,” said Paul O’Connell, a policing consultant and professor of criminal[...]

Posted 9 years ago

Aug 25

2016

Lead in water story on WBFO

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Dan Telvock of Investigative Post reports on shortcomings in the city program to test drinking water for lead. Telvock found the program is beset with slipshod methods and puts more effort into testing predominantly white enclaves with few lead poisoning than in the inner-city neighborhoods where the problem is concentrated. Nevertheless, Mayor Byron Brown said he’s “not concerned.” Web version of story featuring interactive graphics and three reports produced for WGRZ is here. Capitol Pressroom interview with Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney is here.

Posted 9 years ago
Investigative Post