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Investigations Read the latest from NPR's investigative team. If you have solid tips or documents on stories we should probe, please send them to us.

Investigations

Friday

Jury Awards Nearly $17 Million In Grain Bin Deaths

Grain Operator Austin Clubb surveys corn inside the Homestead Grain Facility at Amana Farms near Cedar Rapids, Iowa. John Poole/NPR hide caption

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John Poole/NPR

The Two-Way

Jury Awards Nearly $17 Million In Grain Bin Deaths

Two Illinois teens were killed when they were sucked under corn in a grain bin where they were working. A third worker was trapped for six hours. NPR and the Center for Public Integrity told their story in an investigative series about the lack of regulation at such facilities.

Monday

Army Takes On Its Own Toxic Leaders

NPR interviewed dozens of current or former soldiers who said they have struggled under toxic leaders. iStockphoto hide caption

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Army Takes On Its Own Toxic Leaders

Why have so many soldiers committed suicide in recent years? The Army is looking beyond post-traumatic stress and asking whether bad commanders and destructive leadership are taking a toll.

Army Takes On Its Own Toxic Leaders

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Thursday

Banks Come Under Fire For Filling In The Payday Loan Gap

Federal regulators are setting new rules for banks that offer deposit advances. iStockphoto hide caption

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Business

Banks Come Under Fire For Filling In The Payday Loan Gap

Federal regulators are cracking down on banks that are offering services called deposit advances. Many argue that the service is the same as payday loans and could lead consumers into a cycle of debt.

Banks Come Under Fire For Filling In The Payday Loan Gap

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Wednesday

Secret Persuasion: How Big Campaign Donors Stay Anonymous

A composite image shows part of the NPR/Center for Responsive Politics reporting team's whiteboard at NPR headquarters that was used to map out how Wellspring connects to other social welfare groups. (Click the enlarge button to see a full-size image.) John W. Poole/NPR hide caption

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John W. Poole/NPR

Secret Persuasion: How Big Campaign Donors Stay Anonymous

Tax-exempt social welfare groups have become the vehicle of choice for big political contributions.

Secret Persuasion: How Big Campaign Donors Stay Anonymous

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Tuesday

From Social Welfare Groups, A River Of Political Influence

The Au Sable River in Michigan is a popular place for fly fishermen and the heart of a debate unexpectedly influenced by largely invisible social welfare organizations. Christine Arrasmith/NPR hide caption

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Christine Arrasmith/NPR

From Social Welfare Groups, A River Of Political Influence

The reversal of a conservation law court decision to protect Michigan's Au Sable River is an unintended outcome from large donations by anonymous funders funneled through tax-exempt organizations. Known as 501(c)(4)s, these groups are becoming a vehicle of choice for big donors to hide large political donations.

From Social Welfare Groups, A River Of Political Influence

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Thursday

Booker Brings Dash Of Diversity To Still Old, White Senate

Vice President Joe Biden swears in Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) as his mother, Carolyn, holds a Bible on Thursday. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Booker Brings Dash Of Diversity To Still Old, White Senate

Former Newark Mayor Cory Booker, 44, was sworn in Thursday, becoming the second African-American in the U.S. Senate and only the fourth ever elected to the upper chamber. He also brings youth to the Senate, where the average age is 62.

Monday

A Night At The Rock: Former Alcatraz Inmate Journeys Back

Bill Baker returned to Alcatraz for the first time since he was an inmate there more than 50 years ago. Laura Sullivan/NPR hide caption

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Laura Sullivan/NPR

National

A Night At The Rock: Former Alcatraz Inmate Journeys Back

After more than 50 years, Bill Baker returns to the island in an effort to analyze his life.

A Night At The Rock: Former Alcatraz Inmate Journeys Back

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Thursday

Your Digital Trail: Data Fuels Political And Legal Agendas

Private attorneys are easily getting access to defendants' emails and texts. All it takes is a subpoena, which any attorney can do. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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All Tech Considered

Your Digital Trail: Data Fuels Political And Legal Agendas

Former Nixon administration attorney John Dean and a North Carolina divorce lawyer warn that if you think you have nothing to hide, think again.

Your Digital Trail: Data Fuels Political And Legal Agendas

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Wednesday

Your Digital Trail: Does The Fourth Amendment Protect Us?

The Bill of Rights as seen at The National Archives in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of National Archives hide caption

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Courtesy of National Archives

All Tech Considered

Your Digital Trail: Does The Fourth Amendment Protect Us?

Could government agents really get access to all your private data in less than a minute? Experts say no but warn we are moving in that direction.

Your Digital Trail: Does The Fourth Amendment Protect Us?

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Tuesday

Your Digital Trail: Private Company Access

Private companies are collecting your personal data. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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All Tech Considered

Your Digital Trail: Private Company Access

Data we voluntarily provide online — such as on dating websites — may not stay with that site. While not always obvious, websites commonly allow other companies to track user behavior.

Your Digital Trail: Private Company Access

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Monday

Your Digital Trail, And How It Can Be Used Against You
Patrick George/Ikon Images/Corbis

All Tech Considered

Your Digital Trail, And How It Can Be Used Against You

NPR and the Center for Investigative Reporting are documenting just how vivid the typical person's digital picture has become — and how easy it can be for others to see it.

Your Digital Trail, And How It Can Be Used Against You

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Wednesday

Wednesday