Al Shaw
Al Shaw is a Senior News Application Developer at ProPublica.
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Al Shaw is a Senior News Application Developer at ProPublica. He uses data and interactive graphics to cover environmental issues, natural disasters and politics.
A year before Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston, Shaw was part of a team that produced “Hell and High Water,” which warned of the region's vulnerability to coastal storms. The project won a Peabody Award in 2017. Shaw's project, “Losing Ground,” about the century-long erosion of Louisiana's coast won a Gold Medal from the Society for News Design. His interactive maps surrounding FEMA's response to Hurricane Sandy were honored with the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi award. Before joining ProPublica, Shaw was a designer/developer at the political news website Talking Points Memo.
One Night on a Private Garbage Truck in New York City
New York’s residential trash is hauled away by the city, but private companies collect trash thrown away by businesses. Every night, an army of private trucks zig-zag across the city, making hundreds of stops each.
How Harvey Hurt Houston, in 10 Maps
The city got two “100-year” storms in the two years before Harvey made landfall. All three storms flooded thousands of houses, many outside of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood plains.
Here Are the White House Visitor Records the Trump Administration Didn’t Want You to See
White House Visitor Records the Trump Administration Didn’t Want You to See
Buyouts Won’t Be the Answer for Many Frequent Flooding Victims
Even after Hurricane Harvey, the best efforts by Harris County officials to purchase the most flood-prone homes won’t make a dent in the larger problem — worsening flooding, and a buyout program that can’t keep up.
Everyone Knew Houston’s Reservoirs Would Flood — Except for the People Who Bought Homes Inside Them
Despite concerns about flooding in and around the Addicks and Barker reservoirs, government officials prioritized development.
Independent Monitors Found Benzene Levels After Harvey Six Times Higher Than Guidelines
After an oil tank in Houston’s Manchester neighborhood caved in, private monitors found levels that far exceeded California’s health guideline
Where the Government Spends to Keep People in Flood-Prone Houston Neighborhoods
The government has shelled out $265 million for flood claims on 1,155 severe repetitive loss properties in the flood insurance program in Harris County.
Update: Trump’s Secret Appointees
Here’s another shadowy batch of officials the Trump administration has quietly deployed across the government.
Houston’s Dams Won’t Fail. But Many Homes Will Have to Be Flooded to Save Them
The water that goes around the spillways is going to have to leave the reservoir somehow — and enter areas surrounding it.
Why Houston Isn’t Ready for Harvey
Houston faces massive flooding from Harvey. Here’s where it’s flooded in the past.