Jim Heaney

Jim Heaney is editor and executive director of Investigative Post. He was an investigative reporter with The Buffalo News from 1986 to 2011 and a reporter and editor with The Orlando Sentinel from 1980-86. His coverage over the years has focused on economic development, local and state government, politics, education, housing and transportation, and he was an early practitioner of computer-assisted reporting. Heaney has won more than 20 journalism awards and was a finalist for the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting.

May 28

2020

My report to readers

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it. That includes Investigative Post. Like most everyone, we began working remotely in the middle of March. It’s gone reasonably well. Suffice to say, I make a lot of phone calls to my reporters. A lot of phone calls, period. Our reporters have had to deal with sources and other news makers remotely, as well, which means lots of phone calls and emails and little to no personal interaction. “My basement is my office now,” Geoff Kelly, my senior reporter, said. “I conduct interviews from there. I watch government meetings on[...]

Posted 5 years ago

May 20

2020

Heaney discusses Cuomo suit on ‘Pressroom

Jim Heaney reported Saturday that an Amherst attorney has sued Gov. Andrew Cuomo, claiming he has overstepped his legal authority in issuing executive orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. David Lombardo, host of The Capitol Pressroom, interviewed Heaney on his story. Heaney and Lombardo also discussed how the pandemic has impacted Investigative Post’s operation. Heaney said the pandemic has created both challenges and opportunities for his nonprofit investigative reporting center.

Posted 5 years ago

May 16

2020

Lawsuit challenges Cuomo’s COVID-19 orders

A Buffalo-area attorney has filed a legal challenge to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s use of executive powers to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, terming his actions a “disturbing and gross abuse” of authority. Corey Hogan contends Cuomo has exceeded the powers granted a governor under state law to issue executive orders. His federal lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the Western District Court in Buffalo, further contends that Cuomo’s actions run afoul of both the state and federal constitutions. The lawsuit takes aim at the powers used by governors across the nation to employ core strategies to address COVID-19, including orders to shelter in[...]

Posted 5 years ago

Apr 10

2020

Gambini discusses his story on detainees

Phil Gambini reported Thursday on what detainees say are dangerous conditions at the immigrant detention center in Batavia. Today, he discussed his reporting with Susan Rose on WBEN.

Posted 5 years ago

Apr 9

2020

Immigrant detainees describe poor conditions

Updated: 1:10 p.m. It’s called B-2, one of nine units at the detention center run by ICE in Batavia. These days it’s a terrifying place for those held there. Most of the 50 or so men confined there are coughing and displaying other symptoms of COVID-19. The entire unit has been placed in a 14-day quarantine. Six detainees were removed Wednesday, and today a government attorney told a federal court that four of them had tested positive. Four others from B-2 are awaiting test results. Social distancing? Near impossible in detention settings. Soap and hand sanitizer? Running in short supply.[...]

Posted 5 years ago

Apr 2

2020

Heaney talks jails and COVID-19 on WBEN

Prisons and jails are dangerous places for inmates and staff alike during the ongoing pandemic. Editor Jim Heaney discusses Investigative Post’s reporting on the topic on NewsRadio 930 WBEN, noting that there’s a fair number of people in county jails for non-violent misdemeanor offenses or low-level parole violations. Heaney also spoke about Investigative Post’s most-recent story about how Western New Yorkers aren’t curtailing their travel as much as residents in most other communities in the face of the pandemic. Heaney’s interview with Brian Mazurowski on “A New Morning” marks his first appearance since Investigative Post added WBEN to its distribution network. Heaney[...]

Posted 5 years ago

Apr 1

2020

Heaney talks News downsizing on WBFO

Jim Heaney has detailed the furloughs and layoffs announced by The Buffalo News on Tuesday. He discussed the impact, along with the obstinance of Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz in dealing with the press during the COVID-19 crisis, with Jay Moran on WBFO. Give a listen.

Posted 5 years ago

Mar 31

2020

Buffalo News downsizing comes quick

Well, that didn’t take long. Lee Enterprises took ownership of The Buffalo News just a couple of weeks ago and wham — the paper on Tuesday announced furloughs and layoffs. To be fair, the loss of advertising due to fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic was no doubt the driving force behind the decision, which I’m told was made at corporate headquarters in Davenport, Iowa, rather than here in Buffalo. But let’s face it, The News was going to have to act sooner rather than later due to the loss of advertising revenue, which is just one of many challenges the[...]

Posted 5 years ago