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Environment

Disaster After Disaster

Growing Storms, Faltering Aid

The costs of natural disasters are skyrocketing. America’s systems for preparing for them and helping victims are falling short.

Impact of Our Reporting
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Disaster After Disaster

Louisiana to Drop Lawsuits Against Katrina Survivors Over Recovery Grants

Louisiana sued thousands of homeowners for not following the rules in how they spent recovery grants. After a joint news investigation, the governor announced Thursday that the state won’t try to collect the money.

by David Hammer, WWL-TV, and Richard A. Webster, Verite News,

Local Reporting Network

Disaster After Disaster

Louisiana Sued Hurricane Katrina Survivors for Misusing Recovery Grants. Now It Has Halted Collection Efforts.

Louisiana sued thousands of homeowners for not following the rules in spending grants after Katrina. After a joint news investigation, the state says it hopes a federal agency will approve a settlement that will allow it to drop the lawsuits.

by Richard A. Webster, The Advocate | The Times-Picayune, and David Hammer, WWL-TV,

Local Reporting Network

7 stories published since 2022

Thousands of Katrina Survivors Were Freed From Debt to the State. Those Who Already Paid Are Out of Luck.

by Richard A. Webster, Verite News, and David Hammer, WWL-TV,

Behind the Key Decision That Left Many Poor Homeowners Without Enough Money to Rebuild After Katrina

by David Hammer, WWL-TV,

An Exodus Unlike Any Other: Why Half the People in This Community Moved Away After Hurricane Katrina

by Richard A. Webster and Jeff Adelson, The Times-Picayune | The Advocate, and Sophie Chou, ProPublica,

The Federal Program to Rebuild After Hurricane Katrina Shortchanged the Poor. New Data Proves It.

by Richard A. Webster and Jeff Adelson, The Times-Picayune | The Advocate, David Hammer, WWL-TV, and Sophie Chou, ProPublica,

This Hurricane-Ravaged Town Has Waited Years for Long-Term Aid. It Could Happen Again.

by Mike Smith, The Times-Picayune | The Advocate,

Katrina Survivors Were Told They Could Use Grant Money to Rebuild. Now They’re Being Sued for It.

by Richard A. Webster, The Advocate | The Times-Picayune, and David Hammer, WWL-TV,

Did You Get the Help You Needed After a Hurricane or Tropical Storm? We’re Investigating Disaster Relief.

by Richard A. Webster, The Advocate | The Times-Picayune,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

Photo of Sharon Lerner
Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

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Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

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Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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