Investigations – Florida Center for Investigative Reporting

Drained: A Podcast About the Massive Plan to Save the Everglades

December 8, 2020

From rivers of toxic slime to a mind-boggling plan to inject a giant bubble of freshwater 1,000 feet underground, "Drained" examines the massive plan to restore the river of grass and poses the big question about the future of this natural wonder: Can it be saved?

Drowning by Sunrise

December 4, 2019

Black teenager Damain Martin begged police for help as he drowned. His death was ruled an accident.

More Than a Year After Hurricane Irma, Florida’s Most Vulnerable Residents Struggle to Recover

December 28, 2018

As those who lived through Irma demonstrate, the effects of hurricanes can last long after storms dissipate.

People Pour Into Florida’s Four Corners. Can Wildlife and the Everglades Survive?

December 14, 2018

Overdevelopment threatens to choke off a critical wildlife coordinator in Central Florida connecting the Everglades to the rest of the state.

Temperatures In Florida Are Rising. For Vulnerable Patients, The Heat Can Be Life-Threatening.

November 13, 2018

People who live on low incomes are among the most vulnerable to climate change.

Final Flight Into Hurricane Michael Captured Rare Storm Data

October 21, 2018

A Hurricane Hunter entered the Category 4 storm just as it made landfall, giving scientists an unprecedented look at a tropical cyclone.

Revisiting ‘Unforgiven’: Constitutional Amendment Could Restore Felon Voting Rights

October 16, 2018

With three weeks until Election Day, FCIR is re-releasing "Unforgiven" to encourage the conversation about voter disenfranchisement in Florida.

Rick Scott Won’t Vote on New FPL Power Plant Until After Election

September 28, 2018

The power plant's approval would benefit Florida Power and Light, Scott's largest corporate campaign donor and a company in which the governor has invested as much as $500,000.

Emails Show NRA Lobbyist’s Influence With Florida Gun Regulators

September 28, 2018

The emails illustrate the gun lobby’s enormous influence within the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Ron DeSantis Spoke at Anti-Muslim Conference in 2017

September 17, 2018

The Republican gubernatorial nominee spoke at a conference whose founder argues devout Muslims cannot be loyal Americans.

Rick Scott Invested in the Same Financial Firms As Florida’s Pension System

September 14, 2018

Florida Gov. Rick Scott and his wife have invested at least $18 million in three financial firms managing money for the state’s pension system.

One Year After Irma, Everglades City Struggles to Rebuild

September 9, 2018

State climate change denial leaves coastal communities on their own to face the risks.

One Year After Irma, Everglades City Struggles to Rebuild

September 9, 2018

State climate change denial leaves coastal communities on their own to face the risks.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan Received Yacht Loan From Canadian Bank Trying to Influence Tax Bill

August 21, 2018

As Republicans were finalizing tax cut legislation in late 2017, a foreign-owned bank seeking to shape the bill gave a seven-figure yacht loan to Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan of Sarasota.

Private Prison Company Donates To Rick Scott Super PAC Despite Contribution Ban

July 24, 2018

America’s largest private prison company may have made an illegal donation to a super PAC backing Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott’s campaign for Senate, according to campaign finance experts.

With Governor and Legislators in Denial, This Tiny Florida Town Tries to Adapt to Climate Change

July 8, 2018

While Florida state government bans the terms “climate change” and “global warming” in official business, this coastal fishing village of about 500 people and more water than dry land is being swallowed by the sea. But town officials here are fighting back with some success.

Thoughts, Prayers and NRA Dollars: How the Gun Lobby Supports and Opposes Members of Florida’s Congressional Delegation

February 20, 2018

The NRA's big money comes to campaigns through two political action committees.

Trump Watch: Florida Documents

March 8, 2017

Trump Watch: Florida is a project to collect and curate Florida documents related to President Trump, as well as his companies and properties, his family, and his family’s companies and properties.

How This Floridian Lost His Right to Vote

November 1, 2016

In Florida, 1.7 million are disenfranchised due to felony convictions.

Florida’s Indian River Lagoon in Environmental Crisis

August 6, 2016

Contamination from septic tanks threatens one of the most biodiverse waterways in North America.

Climate Change: A Tale of Two Governors

December 26, 2015

Florida's climate change denial was years in the making

Sunshine State Still Has Shadows Over Open Records Laws

November 9, 2015

Florida earned a score of 61 (D-), tying it for 30th among 50 in the ranking and assessment of state government accountability and transparency by the Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity.

Las víctimas callan, pocos proxenetas van a prisión

October 27, 2015

Análisis concluye que se encausa a pocos traficantes sexuales.

Despite Mandate, Few Sex Traffickers Go to Prison

October 25, 2015

A statewide analysis by FCIR, in collaboration with WFOR/CBS Miami, found that efforts in the state to investigate and prosecute sex traffickers have yielded few results.

Search Emails, Text Messages of Cabinet Staff Regarding FDLE Commissioner’s Ouster

May 21, 2015

The documents provided so far indicate that Cabinet officials communicated about FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey's ouster and replacement.

In Cities Statewide, Black Police Officers Underrepresented on Streets

May 17, 2015

An FCIR analysis shows racial disparities exist throughout Florida.

Visualized: Police Militarization in Florida

May 10, 2015

Since 2010, civilian law enforcement agencies in Florida have received more than $289 million worth of surplus military gear designed for wartime scenarios.

The DEA’s Castoff

April 16, 2015

A former Colombian drug trafficker spent decades working undercover for the United States. Now, the government informant says he faces deportation, which could prove deadly.

In Sunshine State, Big Energy Blocks Solar Power

April 3, 2015

Millions in political donations from Florida utilities help keep solar panels off rooftops

In Florida, Officials Ban Term ‘Climate Change’

March 8, 2015

State environmental officials ordered not to use the terms “climate change” or “global warming” in any government communications, emails, or reports, according to former employees, consultants, volunteers and records.

Salacious New Chapter in Florida Billionaire’s Sex Scandal

January 2, 2015

In a court filing, a woman identified as Jane Doe #3 alleges that well-known criminal defense lawyer Alan Dershowitz and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, were involved in Jeffrey Epstein’s international sex ring.

FCIR Makes Jeb Bush’s Email Archive Searchable

December 29, 2014

FCIR is making available Jeb Bush's email archive in a reader-friendly, searchable format.

FBI Informant Faces Criminal Trial in Key West

December 26, 2014

After being convicted of child molestation and rape, Robert Childs became an FBI informant. His trail ended in America’s southernmost city.

In Lawsuits Statewide, Questions of Profits and Public Records

November 9, 2014

Court records and emails reviewed by FCIR show how a foundation and a law firm make money off the Sunshine law.

Florida’s Shrinking Workforce, Part 4: The Overview

October 9, 2014

Over the last decade, Florida has shed thousands of state jobs and it is evident throughout a host of state agencies that these staff reductions have prevented Florida’s government from doing its job effectively.

Florida’s Toll Lane Boom

September 14, 2014

An analysis by the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting shows that the toll lane projects began thanks to state-funded reports produced by a think tank funded in part by toll lane developers.

State Fingerprint System Flawed, More Expensive To Maintain Than To Build

March 9, 2014

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's troubled five-year-old automatic fingerprint identification system (AFIS) has cost far more to maintain than it did to design and build because of technical problems. It is now so unstable that it is causing delays during investigations and arrests across the state.