Anjeanette Damon
I cover government accountability issues at the local, state and federal level in the Southwest.
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What I Cover
My reporting focuses on how well city and state governments do their jobs on issues that affect all of us, including health care, housing and the environment. I’m most interested in how powerful actors influence governments to serve their own interests to the detriment of the most vulnerable in our communities.
My Background
At ProPublica, my work has included uncovering COVID-19 testing contracts awarded to the Nevada governor’s friends with disastrous results, documenting how a city council empowered a wealthy developer to raze motels and displace hundreds of low-income residents, and investigating how the country’s largest house-flipping company cashed in on homeowners’ desperation.
Prior to ProPublica, I was a government watchdog reporter and regional investigative editor for the USA Today Network. My investigation of in-custody deaths at the Washoe County, Nevada, jail resulted in legislative action and was recognized as a finalist for an Online News Association public service award. My series on deplorable living conditions faced by people with severe mental illness under state care prompted immediate action by Nevada’s governor. In 2019, I was lead reporter and writer on Season 2 of “The City,” a USA Today investigative podcast. I am based in Reno, Nevada.
Nevada Governor Candidates Are Debating a ProPublica Investigation — but Not Always Accurately
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak is fending off attacks from his Republican rival over his administration’s fast-tracking the license for a COVID-testing company with ties to a political donor.
Why Outlawing Ghost Guns Didn’t Stop America’s Largest Maker of Ghost Gun Parts
Unregistered, unserialized weapons produced with Polymer80 parts have turned up at crime scenes across the country, but state-level efforts to close ghost gun loopholes continue to fall short.
Help ProPublica Investigate “We Buy Houses” Practices
If you’ve had experience with a company or buyer promising fast cash for homes, our reporting team wants to hear about it.
Federal Probe of COVID Testing Company With Stunning Error Rate Expands to Nevada
A federal investigator emailed Nevada officials, notifying them that he would subpoena documents related to Northshore Clinical Labs’ operations in the state.
The COVID Testing Company That Missed 96% of Cases
State and local officials across Nevada signed agreements with Northshore Clinical Labs, a COVID testing laboratory run by men with local political connections. There was only one problem: Its tests didn’t work.
He Was Billed $13,064 for Donating His Kidney
Living organ donors are never supposed to be billed for transplant-related care. NorthStar Anesthesia charged one donor over $13,000 and nearly sent his bill to collections.
Reno Seeks to Purchase Motels as Affordable Housing Instead of Letting Developers Demolish Them
The mayor of Reno did little to stop the razing of motels that housed low-income residents or to replace lost units. Following a ProPublica investigation, that may change.
Reps for Casino Developer Defend the Destruction of Nearly 600 Housing Units in Reno
At a town hall, Reno residents expressed doubt about developer Jeff Jacobs’ “vision” to contribute land for public housing after he had already razed affordable units. “A vision is something you have before you tear things down,” said an attendee.
Reno May Use Federal Funds to Address Housing Crisis
At a recent ProPublica event, Reno council member Devon Reese said the city will announce its plans to alleviate the city’s housing crisis next month. The event followed a ProPublica investigation on redevelopment’s impact on lower-income residents.
Derribó moteles donde vivían residentes pobres en la crisis de la vivienda. Los líderes de la ciudad no hicieron nada.
Las autoridades de Reno, Nevada con una de las peores carencias de viviendas asequibles de EE. UU., permitieron que el dueño de un casino de otro estado desplazara a residentes de bajos ingresos, para un día construir un complejo de entretenimiento.