I-News – and YOU – made a difference in 2011

Legislative leaders called for a state audit after I-News helped EdNews and other partners show that online elementary and high schools get millions in tax money even though half their students leave within a year. Florence High School student Laura Johnson, 17, takes a final exam in math at the school in Florence, Colo., on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. Johnson left FHS during her junior year for GOAL Academy online school, but returned after a semester with no credits earned. (Joe Mahoney/The I-News Network)

I-News

You have helped in-depth news and information flourish in Colorado – and that has led to some significant and real differences in the lives of Coloradans. Here are some examples.

• More doctors now disclose drug company payments after I-News helped Colorado Public Radio report hidden funding, allowing patients to make better-informed decisions.

• Lawmakers changed tax law after I-News helped the Denver Post reveal that movie stars and developers were getting tax breaks meant for farmers and ranchers.

• Legislative leaders called for a state audit after I-News helped EdNews and other partners show that online elementary and high schools get millions in tax money even though half their students leave within a year.

That’s some significant impact from a startup journalism nonprofit.

And it comes on top of equally significant impact from the first journalism we produced last year:

• University and law enforcement officials do more to protect students after I-News helped Rocky Mountain PBS and other media report that some schools withheld information about assaults on campus.

• Legislation was introduced after I-News helped its media partners uncover dangerous and illegal treatment of hazardous electronic waste unknown even to regulators.

Around the nation, people are concerned about the survival of serious, in-depth journalism. But here in Colorado, we’re sustaining journalism that makes a difference.

Here’s to an even better 2012!
– The I-News Team

I-News, I-News partners, in-depth journalism, journalism that makes a difference