Garrett Looker

If rock bottom looks like the south side McDonald's in Muncie at 4:00 AM, with broken dreams and unfinished projects, then I've been there.

NEW: For years, the Sheriff's office, politicians and even local media undercounted the number of inmates who have died. The real number? 57. Under Sheriff Garcia, the death rate has increased. We now have the fullest accounting yet of all the deaths: investigativepost.org/2024/09/10/eri…

This movie came out at a perfect time in my life, when my love for baseball was wavering. James Earl Jones and Field of Dreams reminded me why I began loving the game as a young boy. His speech IS baseball. x.com/i/status/18332…

What do you think of Investigative Post? We want to hear your thoughts. Take five minutes to fill out our reader survey today. Your feedback helps us improve and better serve Western New York. investigativepost.org/2024/09/03/tak…

Every summer, the reading ability of Buffalo's youngest students falls to the wayside. Educators call it "the summer slide." Take a closer look at Buffalo's literacy rates and what is being done to help students. investigativepost.org/2024/08/13/buf…

For years, Buffalo's Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood has been a "book desert" meaning kids there don't have easy access to books. One solution? Reopening the library branch that closed. Could the Broadway Market hold a library? investigativepost.org/2024/07/12/pro…

Dante Jones says a teacher at Mary's Little Lambs daycare hit her 2-year old son. When Jones confronted the teacher, they denied it. The matter escalated, and the owner called the cops. It's not the only time police have been called to the center. investigativepost.org/2024/07/02/519…

Hear from members of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation about why they oppose the STAMP industrial park being built next to their territory. investigativepost.org/2024/06/27/hoc…

New: Before STAMP came around, the Tonawanda Senecas were subjected to a long history of connivery by land speculators and government officials. In part two of our series, we take a look at the Nation's history — and its fight against the industrial park. investigativepost.org/2024/06/28/sta…

"We're still trying to save the land, they're still trying to take it, it's still the same story.” For the Tonawanda Senecas, the STAMP industrial park is just another chapter in a painful history. They're committed to stopping its development. investigativepost.org/2024/06/28/sta…

NEW: An investigation has found that staff for Gov. Kathy Hochul & Sen. Chuck Schumer — acting at the behest of Genesee County officials — pressured regulators to issue permits for the STAMP industrial park. Violations of federal law occurred as a result. investigativepost.org/2024/06/27/hoc…

In 2022, Philip Palmeri lost his wife to breast cancer. He's convinced radioactive waste beneath their Niagara County home is to blame. He's now suing the companies who put it there, in the latest lawsuit tied to county's past with nuclear materials. investigativepost.org/2024/06/18/rad…

Made it back from Europe. This is a thread with my favorite photo from each of the countries we visited. Enjoy! 1/

Ever wonder how much your school district is spending per pupil? We dove into the data. A few districts spend less than $24,000 per student, a few spend more than $33,000 and the majority fall between. The average is $28,135 per pupil. investigativepost.org/2024/06/07/wea……imes-spend-least/

Charter schools in and around Buffalo are outperforming local public districts when it comes to literacy. Some, like West Buffalo Charter, are finding relatively high success. Others struggle, like Enterprise with 9 percent proficiency. investigativepost.org/.../06/06/char……hools-in-reading/

What would it really take to transform Buffalo's East Side? UB's director of Urban Studies Dr. Henry Taylor believes he has the answer: self-governed communities that challenge the traditional American neighborhood model. investigativepost.org/2024/05/30/ub-…

Dr. Henry Taylor released a report three years ago identifying barriers to the progress of Buffalo’s Black residents. Now, he has a plan to rebuild those neighborhoods with an approach the city hasn’t seen before. investigativepost.org/2024/05/30/ub-…

A slate of political newcomers — including the sister of Common Council member Zeneta Everhart — are running for school board this year. Board members Larry Scott and Terrance Heard will have to defend their seats. investigativepost.org/2024/05/22/518…

Read about it: investigativepost.org/2024/05/17/top…

In the wake of the second anniversary of 5/14, and with May being Mental Health Awareness Month, several community organizations are calling for more mental health resources and safe spaces for East Side residents.

Inside Buffalo Schools' $1.2 billion budget approved last night: *Layoff estimates, including Central Office *Superintendent Williams' equity addbacks *School Board mixes praise & concern Read: buffalonews.com/news/local/edu…