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Theodoric Meyer

Theodoric Meyer is a former ProPublica reporting fellow. He was previously an intern at The New York Times and The Seattle Times.

Theodoric Meyer is a former ProPublica reporting fellow. He started at ProPublica as a reporting intern in 2012 and previously worked as a reporting intern at The New York Times and The Seattle Times. He was a lead reporter for ProPublica’s “After the Flood” series, which won the Deadline Club Award for Local Reporting in 2014. His reporting on the National Security Agency with Justin Elliott was cited in Judge Richard J. Leon’s ruling that N.S.A. surveillance of phone metadata was likely unconstitutional. He is a graduate of McGill University and Columbia University.

Dragnets

Claim on “Attacks Thwarted” by NSA Spreads Despite Lack of Evidence

The agency, President Obama, and members of Congress have all said NSA spying programs have thwarted more than 50 terrorist plots. But there’s no evidence the claim is true.

by Justin Elliott and Theodoric Meyer,

How the NSA’s Claim on Thwarted Terrorist Plots Has Spread

In the months since revelations about NSA surveillance began, intelligence officials and members of Congress have claimed that the agency's efforts have thwarted 54 terrorist attacks. But a review of official statements shows the NSA has been inconsistent about how many plots have actually been thwarted and what the role the spying programs played. Despite a lack of evidence, Congress and the media have rushed to repeat the most extreme version of the NSA’s claims.

by Sisi Wei, Justin Elliott and Theodoric Meyer,

After the Flood

What Happened After Congress Passed a Climate Change Law? Very Little

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has failed to set up a body that would make recommendations on how to deal with rising seas.

by Theodoric Meyer,

F.A.Q. on U.S. Aid to Egypt: Where Does the Money Go, And How Is It Spent?

With the Obama administration cutting off some U.S. aid to Egypt as the violence there continues, we've taken a step back to look at how much the U.S. gives Egypt and what those billions have bought.

by Theodoric Meyer,

U.S. Is Arming Syrian Rebels, But Refugees Who've Aided Them Are Considered Terrorists

The designation could make it harder for Syrian refugees to come to the U.S., even if they haven’t actually taken up arms against the regime.

by Theodoric Meyer,

The Best Reporting on Hurricanes and Their Aftermaths

We’ve round up some of the best reporting on hurricanes and what happens after they’re over — from inept planning to police abuses to waste and misspending during the recovery.

by Theodoric Meyer,

Fracking

New Study Finds High Levels of Arsenic in Groundwater Near Fracking Sites

A Q&A with Brian Fontenot, whose research gives the latest indication that fracking may be tied to arsenic contamination.

by Theodoric Meyer,

Do You Know About Problems With FEMA's Flood Mapping?

by Theodoric Meyer,

After the Flood

Using Outdated Data, FEMA Is Wrongly Placing Homeowners in Flood Zones

Homeowners have to bear the cost of fixing the agency's mistakes.

by Theodoric Meyer,

After the Flood

Why So Many Flood Maps Are Still Out of Date

A Q&A with Professor David Maidment on what makes today’s maps 10 times more accurate than the ones much of the country is still stuck with

by Theodoric Meyer,