Brendon Derr

Currently: Freelance | Formerly: @ArizCIR @nytimes @HoustonChron

MA in investigative journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism

[Brendon Derr @BCDerr]

Spent the summer finishing my master's degree with this investigation.

[Howard Center for Investigative Journalism ASU @HowardCenterASU]

A @HowardCenterASU analysis of Justice Department data found that hundreds of cases of child sexual abuse in Indian Country are closed annually by the FBI and federal prosecutors, leaving survivors without justice. https://t.co/w5qx0x862V

[Francesca D’Annunzio @FrancescaDnunz]

In January, @TxDPS encountered several members of a militia, who were armed, and trespassing on private property, as they stood over five young migrants and questioned them.

Police didn’t charge the group for trespassing that day — but they did document it in a report. 🧵

[AZCIR || @azcir.bsky.social @ArizCIR]

Thanks to @KJZZ's @markwbrodie for having @ArizCIR's @BCDerr on The Show to talk about groundwater regulation in Cochise County:

https://t.co/puuaHhZ55R

[AZCIR || @azcir.bsky.social @ArizCIR]

Without existing regulations, groundwater levels in the Douglas basin would be worse. But residents’ experiences, backed by mounting data, raise questions about whether existing regulatory tools are enough, @ArizCIR's latest via @BCDerr :

https://t.co/IaWgUYmRqA

[AZCIR || @azcir.bsky.social @ArizCIR]

ICYMI: Over the past 15 years, even with groundwater restrictions limiting new irrigated land, at least several thousand acres of dormant farmland have again started siphoning groundwater to sustain new crops in the Douglas basin, via @ArizCIR's @BCDerr:

https://t.co/IaWgUYmRqA

[AZCIR || @azcir.bsky.social @ArizCIR]

NEW: Over the past 15 years, even with groundwater restrictions that limit new irrigated land, at least several thousand acres of dormant farmland have again started siphoning groundwater to sustain new crops in the Douglas basin, via @ArizCIR's @BCDerr

https://t.co/IaWgUYmRqA

[Hannah Bassett @hannahebassett]

ICYMI: Arizona's state leaders misled the public & #azleg about the scope of AZ's Medicaid fraud crisis, raising q's about how effectively they are addressing root causes of one of the largest scandals in state history

The full story for @ArizCIR : https://t.co/nFaYFSxftQ

[AZCIR || @azcir.bsky.social @ArizCIR]

Medicaid fraud extended beyond a small portion of AHCCCS, contradicting previous agency claims. The revelations came to light only after @ArizCIR pressed the agency about its waiver of key provider screenings during the pandemic, via @hannahebassett

https://t.co/HQSdOplRZE

[AZCIR || @azcir.bsky.social @ArizCIR]

ICYMI: SB1262 could return AZ's social equity licenses for marijuana dispensaries to the original recipients, wresting control from those who overtook the program. The bill comes nearly a year after extensive reporting by @ArizCIR's @natashawrote: https://t.co/b4oLostMXE

[AZCIR || @azcir.bsky.social @ArizCIR]

Today's the last day to secure a spot for this valuable (and free) training!

[AZCIR || @azcir.bsky.social @ArizCIR]

ICYMI: When groundwater regulation talks occur in Arizona, surges of well applications follow—many deeper and with higher capacity pumps. The tactic risks cutting off the supply to nearby homes and smaller farms, via @BCDerr

https://t.co/lfmfOFAlAq

[AZCIR || @azcir.bsky.social @ArizCIR]

NEW: As Arizona groundwater regulation talks happen throughout the state, a surge of well applications follows—many deeper and with higher capacity pumps that risk cutting off the supply to nearby homes and smaller farms, via @BCDerr

https://t.co/lfmfOFAlAq

[Maria Polletta @mpolletta]

NEW: 100s of requests for school counselors & social workers were rejected this year as AZ prioritized funding for campus police. Schools talked to @ArizCIR about what that means for students, as educators struggle to meet overwhelming mental health needs: https://t.co/YirsYukZUw

[AZCIR || @azcir.bsky.social @ArizCIR]

The Pima County Recorder’s Office went from receiving around 50 'sovereign citizen' filings in 2020 to more than 1,400 in 2022—a spike that parallels a national resurgence of the movement. Read why it matters, via @ArizCIR's @i_simonelli & @BCDerr

https://t.co/CApXLoHuQT

[AZCIR || @azcir.bsky.social @ArizCIR]

Since 2022, @ArizCIR has investigated “constitutional sheriffs,” with a series of stories by @i_simonelli that exposed the group’s impact in AZ.
Today, we published a deep collaboration w/@HowardCenterASU to take that reporting national. A 🧵...

https://t.co/MTHXF35Iq7

[Isaac Stone Simonelli @i_simonelli]

🧵So honored to be part of the @ArizCIR and @HowardCenterASU recent investigation into the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association.

It was incredible to be working with @tjlheureux0, @Washington6417, @AlbertPBJ and @shabir_anisa.

https://t.co/wecAvgNSr3

[Howard Center for Investigative Journalism ASU @HowardCenterASU]

Congratulations to @howardcenterasu alumni @BCDerr and @AlvvJess for receiving Roy W. Howard Fellowships!

[Libby Seline @LibbySeline]

5 things to watch on Election Day — and what da heck is a blue spine? featuring graphics by @BCDerr and yours truly
https://t.co/RasOb4pwlx via @JeremySWallace

[Libby Seline @LibbySeline]

Houston ISD has seen over 500 school bus accidents in 5 years. The district reported only 17.

We love accountability journalism

https://t.co/fmjIcxsX9Q via @BCDerr

[Derek M. Norman @derek_m_norman]

It's been a very tough week and a hard punch to the gut for many of us, learning that a close colleague, mentor and friend had died. Timothy Williams was my team leader over the past year, covering the impact of the coronavirus in prisons across the country