Local journalism 2018 in review -- in every corner of the U.S. this year, local reporters went to work every day looking to expose wrongdoing in their communities. Here’s just some of what they found:

In Alabama, @ConnorASheets reported a sheriff pocketed about $750,000 slated for inmate food programs and bought beachfront property https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2018/03/etowah_sheriff_pocketed_over_7.html …

In Alaska, @kylehopkinsAK reported police departments flout requirements for training and background checks, regularly hiring criminals to protect and serve https://www.adn.com/features/alaska-news/crime-courts/2018/06/08/from-criminal-to-cop-and-back-again-in-alaskas-most-vulnerable-villages/ …

In Arizona, @charrisazrep reported the owner of a charter school, through a separate business, has made millions in publicly-funded land deals and contracts from the school

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2018/07/11/american-leadership-academy-charter-school-founder-glenn-way-nets-millions/664210002/ …

In Arkansas, @ArkansasOnline exposed a scheme by mental health executives who skirted controls to boost income and line their pockets, all at the cost of taxpayers

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/dec/02/nonprofit-cashed-in-using-state-program/ …

In California, @daviddebolt & @mgafni obtained body camera footage showing law enforcement knew ahead of time about dangerous conditions in a warehouse where 36 people died http://extras.mercurynews.com/ghostshipvideos/index.html …

In Colorado, @DavidMigoya reported judges secretly shield records from thousands of cases, including violent crimes, keeping the pubic in the dark on criminal activity across the state https://www.denverpost.com/2018/07/12/suppressed-colorado-court-cases-hidden-public-view/ …

In Connecticut, @hartfordcourant reported small-town council members dined on lobster ravioli, filet mignon and a $49 Kobe beef and foie gras burger while discussing the upcoming year's budget https://www.courant.com/community/bloomfield/hc-news-bloomfield-council-heart-attack-burgers-20180523-story.html …

In Delaware, @ChristinaJedra reported at least a half-dozen people accused of nonviolent, minor crimes, including loitering, have been banned from a city as a condition of their release from jail

https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2018/12/05/accused-loiterers-and-panhandlers-getting-banned-wilmington/2190018002/ …

In Florida, @jkbjournalist reported prosecutors kneecapped a sprawling investigation into a New York power player's sex trafficking operation that had exploited underage girls for years https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article220097825.html …

In Georgia, the Atlanta mayor reimbursed taxpayers almost $12,000 just days after reporters asked for his city-issued credit card bills https://www.myajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/kasim-reed-repays-12k-after-ajc-asks-for-his-city-credit-card-bills/vXq7zht7E0wy1NSiIz8ydN/ …

In Hawaii, @HonAdv reported abusive parents pulled their daughter out of public school just seven months before starving her to death. Despite nine years of warning signs, neither the school nor child welfare officials intervened http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/04/15/hawaii-news/starvation-case-reveals-gap-in-safety-net-for-abused-children/?HSA=cc7087c99104752daf5fa11c11498bb1a6773be8 …

In Idaho, @IdahoStatesman reported a priest who had been accused of abuse in two other states used beer, cigars and money to bribe a 12-year-old to stay silent about sexual abuse. At least 10 church officials knew about the abuse but never called police https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/community/boise/article211739574.html …

In Illinois, @gapawlaczyk & @bhundsdorfer reported a township leader diverted $300,000 from a state youth program, instead funneling the teens into government-funded jobs at his private construction company

https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article205073309.html …

In Indiana, @IndyMarisaK reported child welfare officials neglected to intervene at a home where an infant girl was suffering from malnutrition. Hours after welfare workers left the home, the girl died. https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2018/01/12/2-month-old-dies-malnutrition-hours-after-dcs-other-welfare-workers-visited-her-home/1027641001/ …

In Iowa, @JasonClayworth reported lewd sexual conduct runs rampant at the statehouse. Men watch porn at work and make sexist comments toward female lobbyists and lawmakers. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/investigations/2018/10/14/iowa-capitol-legislature-sexual-harassment-me-too-depositions-lawmakers-porn-senate-kirsten-anderson/1187425002/ …

In Kansas, @kansasdotcom reported a preschool ignored parents’ complaints that an employee might be sexually abusing children. Months later, the man was fired for inappropriately touching a child and arrested for raping a 4-year-old at the local YMCA. https://www.kansas.com/news/local/crime/article199104479.html …

In Kentucky, @courierjournal reported Louisville police as early as 2002 knew about sexual misconduct allegations against an officer now charged with abusing kids in the department's youth program https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/metro-government/2018/07/26/louisville-metro-council-reveals-details-explorer-scandal/836154002/ …

In Louisiana, @theadvocatebr analyzed 3,000 felony cases to show a racially biased court system disproportionately convicts black defendants without unanimous verdicts https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/courts/article_16fd0ece-32b1-11e8-8770-33eca2a325de.html …

In Maine, @ErinRhoda & @calliecferguson reported prison employees shielded allegations of a supervisor who sent female guards obscene photos and sexually assaulted at least one inmate in the laundry room https://bangordailynews.com/2018/12/03/mainefocus/a-bangor-jail-guard-sent-obscene-photos-to-inmates-staff-and-a-city-councilor-it-stayed-a-secret-for-years/ …

In Maryland, @lukebroadwater reported Baltimore schools have had to return $66 million in state funding for much-needed repairs after projects ran afoul of state regulations https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/bs-md-ci-schools-money-returned-20180104-story.html …

In Massachusetts, @GlobeKayLazar & @TWallack reported state police officers posted on sleepy Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket do almost no police work but still make more than $100,000 a year footed by taxpayers https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/07/14/for-some-state-police-posting-paradise/OAQmtHaFtLZr0Mt8faPQKM/story.html …

In Michigan, @kimberkoz reported more than a dozen staff members at Michigan State University were warned about alleged sexual abuse by USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, but failed to take action https://www.detroitnews.com/story/tech/2018/01/18/msu-president-told-nassar-complaint-2014/1042071001/ …

In Minnesota, @StarTribune reported that hundreds of sexual-assault cases across the state are poorly investigated or not investigated at all http://www.startribune.com/when-rape-is-reported-in-minnesota-and-nothing-happens-denied-justice-special-report-part-one/487130861/ …

In Mississippi, @CDispatch obtained surveillance footage and reported a councilman stole hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise from a bargain store http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=68989 …

In Missouri, @aaronronel & @kelsey_ryan analyzed a year’s worth of traffic tickets and reported black drivers in Kansas City are disproportionately more likely to get ticketed for minor offenses like driving on expired tags https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article210495169.html …

In Montana, @JaymeKFraser reported state leaders overlook drug addicted mothers and mothers-to-be, allowing drug-exposed births to soar while state policies and hospital practices fall far short of best practices https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/montana-leaders-fight-drug-crisis-spike-in-foster-care-but/article_487c5371-0113-534a-82d6-2f681a83c3cf.html …

In Nebraska, @emily_nitcher reported a police chief didn’t go to work for almost 11 months after going on leave, but he still collected paychecks from taxpayers, who also foot his legal bills

https://www.omaha.com/news/metro/bellevue/bellevue-officials-offer-few-answers-about-police-chief-s-nearly/article_49d67a2c-15cb-5377-a8a3-a3c2f9d62883.html …

In Nevada, @AnjeanetteDamon reported people lost their homes and livelihoods because officials ignored warnings and recommendations from state-commissioned studies ahead of a devastating flood that has cost millions in cleanup http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2018/03/05/rgj-investigates-reno-knew-lemmon-valley-would-flood-but-allowed-development-anyway/317123002/ …

In New Hampshire, @seacoastonline reported a landfill operator received millions of dollars from taxpayers for work that it never performed

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20180303/coakley-group-got-millions-for-work-it-never-did …

In New Jersey, the state wasn't tracking police use of force so @njdotcom filed more than 500 records requests and spent more than $30,000 to create a comprehensive database of every kick, punch and baton blow

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/11/nj_broken_system_for_stopping_potentially_abusive_police_officers.html …

In New Mexico, @RebeccaKMoss reported a longtime nuclear worker was diagnosed with cancer linked to radiation, but the government denied it had any responsibility

https://features.propublica.org/los-alamos/chad-walde-nuclear-facility-radiation-cancer/ …

In New York, @JayTokasz reported that leaders of the Buffalo Catholic Church quietly paid a $1.5 million settlement to shield allegations that a priest sexually abused a teenager

https://buffalonews.com/2018/03/18/buffalo-diocese-paid-1-5-million-to-settle-priest-sex-abuse-lawsuit/ …

In North Carolina, @dankanenando reported the speaker of the house was paid in legal work by a small firm led by the same well-connected real estate developer to whom the legislator helped steer key state concessions https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article218576350.html …

In Ohio, @BySarahElms reported Toledo officials used millions in federal community block grants to pad their own salaries rather than funding public improvements

https://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2018/04/07/Mayor-council-members-rethink-how-they-use-block-grants.html …

In Oklahoma, @JustinWingerter reported the VA hired a nurse convicted of forging a prescription and trusted him to review medical records and ensure compliance with regulations

https://newsok.com/article/5606032/oklahoma-department-of-veterans-affairs-hired-nurse-who-wrote-fake-prescription-to-review-medical-records …

In Oregon, @BetsBarnes reported crime victims in Portland often wait months for their own police reports and pay $30 for one-page responses as a skeleton crew tries to manage a backlog of public records requests https://www.oregonlive.com/expo/news/erry-2018/10/cd13a8f84c9704/on-hold-crime-victims-public-w.html …

In Pennsylvania, @PhillyInquirer enlisted teachers to take toxin samples and reported Philadelphia public schools expose kids to shocking levels of environmental hazards http://www.philly.com/philly/news/lead-paint-poison-children-asbestos-mold-schools-philadelphia-toxic-city.html …

In Rhode Island, @projo reported that elder abuse offenses often don't lead to prison time, leaving victims vulnerable to further abuse

https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20180824/elder-abuse-in-ri-reported-attacks-on-rise-yet-most-perpetrators-avoid-prison …

In South Carolina, @AveryGWilks reported that leaders of a utility board ordered staff to perform hundreds of thousands of dollars in work at their personal homes or for their friends

https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article217065340.html …

In South Dakota, @bydanaferguson reported Native American patients in two federally run hospitals needlessly die while thousands more face limited access to primary care providers, long wait times for basic medical treatments and outstanding medical debt https://www.argusleader.com/in-depth/news/2018/12/05/south-dakota-health-care-ihs-hospital-native-american-trust-violated/1728819002/ …

In Tennessee, @Tennessean reported a bodyguard who had an affair with a mayor racked up hundreds of hours of overtime, escorting the mayor to hot yoga classes and hockey games, late-night concerts and trendy restaurants https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/davidson/2018/02/25/megan-barry-scandal-nashville-mayor-bodyguard-super-bowl-ryman-brad-paisley-hot-yoga-bonnaroo/369099002/ …

In Texas, @Mike_Hixenbaugh & @charlesornstein reported patients in a liver and lung transplant program at a Houston hospital have died at alarming rates

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/amp/As-St-Luke-s-heart-program-faltered-deaths-13431607.php …

In Utah, @danattrib & @tstevensmedia reported lawmakers who advanced a $1.7 million fee break for an industrial firm also benefited from thousands in the company's campaign contributions https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2018/02/28/do-campaign-contributions-influence-votes-tribune-analysis-of-donations-from-energysolutions-finds-huge-gap-between-those-who-voted-for-and-who-voted-against-a-fee-break-for-the-company/ …

In Vermont, @sevendaysvt built a database of the state’s nonprofits and found some of Vermont’s most powerful people earning more than $500K from their charities https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/some-of-vermonts-highest-paid-execs-run-nonprofits/Content?oid=17146954 …

In Virginia, @scottmdaugherty reported on a federal agency fostering a racially hostile workplace, with one supervisor calling black and Hispanic employees "monkeys” https://pilotonline.com/news/government/nation/article_bb525492-b539-11e8-9f36-470d8b6715f6.html …

In Washington, @ClouseThomas reported a candidate for sheriff claimed he's a moral authority who targets white supremacists, but court records reveal allegations that he is a grifter, liar and stalker who brandishes his gun in bars and restaurants http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/jul/22/controversy-conflict-no-strangers-to-sheriff-candi/ …

In West Virginia, @EricEyre reported drug companies shipped more than 20 million prescription painkillers to two pharmacies in one addiction-ridden small town

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/health/drug-firms-shipped-m-pain-pills-to-wv-town-with/article_ef04190c-1763-5a0c-a77a-7da0ff06455b.html …

In Wisconsin, @patrickdmarley reported nurses at a troubled juvenile prison put a teen at risk of dying by failing to detect that his appendix was about to burst. Instead, the nurses gave him Gatorade and crackers. https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/08/30/prison-nurses-didnt-get-teen-risk-dying-hospital-3-days/1138014002/ …

In Wyoming, @SethKlamann reported a group of high school athletes held down and waterboarded a freshman teammate https://trib.com/news/local/education/a-group-of-kelly-walsh-wrestlers-waterboarded-their-teammate-in/article_9340d6e5-ba74-5e96-a171-7c4e2b603697.html …

You can follow @joey_cranney.

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