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 10
2017
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.
Dec 6
2016
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.
Nov 15
2016
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[...]
Nov 1
2016
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.
Oct 31
2016
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[...]
Aug 25
2016
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.
Aug 23
2016
On WBFO’s Press Pass, Investigative Post’s Charlotte Keith talks with Jay Moran about her recent story on a Buffalo Billion program at Daemen College that is not living up to the hype. The state committed $4.5 million to create a training program in film production at the college, which is partnering with a new visual effects company. The plan was that graduates would go straight into jobs with the company but so far, very few have found full-time work.