Local Reporting Network Archive
Maine Governor Won’t Fund Reforms for Public Defense Agency Without Accountability
The state’s defense agency for the poor lacks the oversight structures and staffing to provide high-quality representation, a report found. The governor says more money won’t fix accountability problems.
People with Developmental Disabilities Were Promised Help. Instead, They Face Delays and Denials.
Arizona is known as the best state in the nation for people with developmental challenges. But its Division of Developmental Disabilities has turned down thousands of people who seek assistance because of paperwork issues.
Editors’ Note: Why We Investigated the Treatment of People With Developmental Disabilities
Arizona’s treatment of people with developmental disabilities is important because it impacts tens of thousands of people. But for us, it’s also personal.
He Has a Developmental Disability and Needs a Caretaker. The State Suggested Diapers Instead.
Even if you qualify for the highest level of services, you still might not get the care you need as a person with developmental disabilities in Arizona. The challenges for families can be immense.
She Needs a Device to Communicate. The State Has Kept it From Her for 18 Months.
Emory, 11, has cerebral palsy and uses an augmentative communication device to talk to her friends. One day, her mother turned it on and smoke came out. “They make it so hard for families that they give up.”
“I Thought Arizona Was Rated High for Disability Services, But That Is Wrong.”
Tyler Stumpf wants to live in the community and work with animals. His mother says the state of Arizona is not doing nearly enough to help.
Arizona Promised to Help People With Developmental Disabilities. But Some Had to Wait a Long Time. Some Did Not Get Help at All.
Arizona is known as the best state for people with developmental disabilities. But the Division of Developmental Disabilities has told many people they can’t have what they need. Sometimes it’s just because their paperwork is wrong.
Editors’ Note: Why We Wrote About the Way People With Developmental Disabilities Get Treated
How Arizona treats people with developmental disabilities is important. It affects a lot of people. It is personal for us too.
How We Wrote the Story
We talked to many people and read a lot of paperwork to make this story.
He Has a Developmental Disability. He Needs a Helper. Arizona Said He Could Wear Diapers Instead.
Some people with developmental disabilities get a lot of services. But they still might not have everything they need. Their families have a hard time when they don’t have enough help.
“I Thought Arizona Was Rated High for Disability Services, But That Is Wrong.”
Tyler Stumpf wants to live in the community. He wants to work with animals. His mom says Arizona is not helping him do that.
She Needs a Device to Talk to People. Arizona Has Not Given It to Her. It Has Been 1.5 Years.
Emory is 11 years old. She has cerebral palsy. She uses a device to talk to her friends. One day, her mom turned it on and smoke came out. She said, “They make it so hard for families that they give up.”
Permit for Controversial $9 Billion Plastics Plant in “Chemical Alley” to Be Put on Hold
Proposed emissions from the plant would triple the levels of cancer-causing chemicals in one of the most toxic areas of the U.S., but the Army Corps of Engineers intends to suspend the permit.
Following Our Investigation, the Director of Maine’s Public Defense Agency Resigns
Amid mounting criticism of his management of attorneys, finances and the quality of legal services for Maine’s poor, John Pelletier stepped down as executive director of the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services. His last day will be Dec. 11.
Prometieron ayuda para las personas con discapacidades de desarrollo. En lugar de recibirla, enfrentan retrasos y rechazos.
Arizona se conoce como el mejor lugar del país para las personas con discapacidades de desarrollo. Sin embargo, debido a problemas con sus trámites, el estado ha rechazado a miles de personas que buscan asistencia.
Despite What the Logging Industry Says, Cutting Down Trees Isn’t Stopping Catastrophic Wildfires
For decades, Oregon’s timber industry has promoted the idea that private, logged lands are less prone to wildfires. The problem? Science doesn’t support that.
When Falling Behind on Rent Leads to Jail Time
Evictions in Arkansas can snowball from criminal charges to arrests to jail time because of a 119-year-old law that mostly impacts female, Black and low-income renters. Even prosecutors have called it unconstitutional.
Maine Officials Propose Doubling Budget for Agency Charged With Defending the Poor
Lawyers proposed opening Maine’s first two public defender offices and a substantial pay raise for court-appointed counsel in a $35.4 million budget approved by the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services.
To Reclaim Ancestral Land, All Native Hawaiians Need Is a $300,000 Mortgage and to Wait in Line for Decades
A 100-year-old program created to provide Native Hawaiians — especially poor ones — land to live on after the U.S. annexed the islands is failing. Thousands have died waiting in line and even more can’t afford the mortgages they’d need.
