Investigations Editor, Injustice Watch
Articles by David Kidwell
Flying under the radar
Airport Commissioner Karin Goulian showed up at a Select Board meeting earlier this month with an unusual request. Goulian, who along with her husband runs aviation businesses at the Plymouth Municipal Airport, was asking to be named a “special municipal employee” — a designation that would exempt her from key sections of the state’s conflict of interest law.
Schools audit suggests oversight reforms in wake of Van Cott lunch program fraud
The bizarre story of Plymouth Schools’ former food services director, who dragged heavy refrigerators out the back door and stole food from the kids’ lunch program as part of a decade long larceny scheme, has raised questions of failed oversight since his 2025 arrest. On Monday, the elected members of the town’s School Committee heard a presentation from district staff on the system failures involved and the long list of oversight reforms designed to help prevent it from happening again.
Cavacco’s previous tenure at times tumultuous
In this year’s contentious race for the Select Board, Betty Cavacco is trying to reclaim a spot atop town government by touting her experience, her efforts to save taxpayers money, and a return to what she describes as a more collegial relationship on the five-member board.
The editor’s humble apology
I felt compelled as a very recent transplant from Chicago to apologize to everyone here for bringing my hometown weather with me. Please know it wasn’t intentional. I am planning on writing the Chicago Chamber of Commerce to suggest the nation’s third largest city no longer has anything on Plymouth warranting its “Windy City” moniker. What a crock.
Let me introduce myself
In my two weeks as the new editor of the Plymouth Independent, I have been to a Select Board meeting, met dozens of residents, edited more than a half dozen stories and begun to furnish our sparkling new office in the Plymouth Industrial Park. I am diving in, trying to build an understanding of what this news operation means to you and how I might help to make it better.
Madigan at Center of Federal Case Against ComEd
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was implicated by federal authorities on Friday in a “years-long bribery scheme” that involved utility giant Commonwealth Edison steering contracts, jobs and payments to Madigan allies. The disclosure came in a pair of court filings that accused ComEd of bribery. The utility company agreed to pay a $200 million fine and continue cooperating with federal investigators in the ongoing probe. Madigan was not charged with any wrongdoing.
Feds Subpoena ComEd for ‘Communications’ With Embattled State Sen. Sandoval
Federal investigators last week subpoenaed Commonwealth Edison for “records of any communications” the power company had with powerful Democratic state Sen. Martin Sandoval, the Better Government Association and WBEZ have found. In a filing Friday with regulators, Chicago-based ComEd and its parent company, Exelon Corp., disclosed receiving the subpoena that same day from federal prosecutors in Chicago.
ComEd Subpoenaed by Feds for 'Communications' It Had With State Sen. Martin Sandoval
Federal investigators last week subpoenaed Commonwealth Edison for “records of any communications” the power company had with powerful Democratic state Sen. Martin Sandoval, the Better Government Association and WBEZ have found. In a filing Friday with regulators, Chicago-based ComEd and its parent company, Exelon Corp., disclosed receiving the subpoena that same day from federal prosecutors in Chicago.
Feds Subpoena ComEd For ‘Communications’ With Embattled Sen. Sandoval
Federal investigators last week subpoenaed Commonwealth Edison for “records of any communications” the power company had with powerful Democratic state Sen. Martin Sandoval, WBEZ and the Better Government Association have found. In a filing Friday with regulators, Chicago-based ComEd and its parent company, Exelon Corp., disclosed receiving the subpoena that same day from federal prosecutors in Chicago.
Enhanced protonic conductivity and IFET behavior in individual proton-doped electrospun chitosan fibers
Enhanced protonic conductivity and IFET behavior in individual proton-doped electrospun chitosan fibers A major challenge for biomedical science is developing materials and processing methods to enable creation of devices that can meaningfully translate signals between biology and electronics. Protonics-based devices—devices analogous to electronic devices but which use protons as charge carriers instead of electrons—are a promising strategy for such translation.
Feds Search for Michael Madigan Records at Home of Retired Alderman, Sources Say
Federal agents recently executed a search warrant on the Southwest Side home of retired Chicago Ald. Michael Zalewski, and sources familiar with the investigation say they were seeking records regarding the alderman’s longtime political ally, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. In a related move, federal investigators subpoenaed documents and other information from utility giant Commonwealth Edison regarding the company’s state government lobbying activity.
Sources: Feds Search For Michael Madigan Records At Home Of Retired Alderman
Federal agents recently executed a search warrant on the Southwest Side home of retired Chicago Ald. Michael Zalewski, and sources familiar with the investigation say they were seeking records regarding the alderman’s longtime political ally, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. In a related move, federal investigators subpoenaed documents and other information from utility giant Commonwealth Edison regarding the company’s state government lobbying activity.
Sources: Feds Search For Michael Madigan Records At Home Of Retired Alderman
WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter. Federal agents recently executed a search warrant on the Southwest Side home of retired Chicago Ald. Michael Zalewski, and sources familiar with the investigation say they were seeking records regarding the alderman’s longtime political ally, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Sources: Feds Search For Michael Madigan Records At Home Of Retired Alderman
WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter. Federal agents recently executed a search warrant on the Southwest Side home of retired Chicago Ald. Michael Zalewski, and sources familiar with the investigation say they were seeking records regarding the alderman’s longtime political ally, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Chicago Ethics Board Fines Ald. Ed Burke for ‘Improper Influence’
City of Chicago ethics officials have fined embattled Ald. Edward Burke for pushing for a taxpayer subsidy for a client of his private law firm, following an investigation from the Better Government Association and WBEZ. The city’s Ethics Board fined Burke $2,000 this week for breaking a rule against exerting “improper influence” in January 2018, when he helped win a $5.5 million subsidy for Presence Health’s new Loop headquarters. The King of Recusals: How Ald.
Chicago Ethics Board Fines Ald. Ed Burke $2K For ‘Improper Influence’
City of Chicago ethics officials have fined embattled Ald. Edward Burke for pushing for a taxpayer subsidy for a client of his private law firm, following an investigation from WBEZ and the Better Government Association. The city’s ethics board fined the 14th Ward alderman $2,000 this week for breaking a rule against exerting “improper influence” in January 2018, when he helped win a $5.5 million subsidy for Presence Health’s new Loop headquarters.
Focusing on our connections to the dirt - Harlan Enterprise
Focusing on our connections to the dirt By David Kidwell From a Blue-Collar Gentleman The dirt in my fingernails is black. Earlier this week I had to “blow-off” my computer-keyboard because of the black dirt my hands left behind. I’m very proud of my black dirt; because I am a gardener. I love my wife, I love my kids; I love my grandson; and I love my garden. I was raised with gardens and around people who took pride in their gardens.
Cook Judge Bars Publication of Documents About Student Drowning, Raising Free Press Concerns
A Cook County judge has ordered the Better Government Association not to publish hundreds of pages of internal Chicago Public Schools records detailing the school drowning death of a 14-year-old with autism. Circuit Court Judge Peter Flynn on Wednesday denied an emergency motion by the BGA to vacate his order, dismissing the argument that such a ruling was an illegal “prior restraint” on the rights of a free press.
Judge bars publication of new details on 2017 student drowning at CPS pool
A Cook County circuit judge has barred the publishing of details from hundreds of pages of internal Chicago Public Schools records that CPS released regarding the 2017 drowning death of a 14-year-old autistic freshman in the pool at Kennedy High School on the Southwest Side. A CPS lawyer had released the investigative files and other internal records related to Rosario Israel Gomez’s death in late January in response to a lawsuit filed by the Better Government Association.
Feds Charge Powerful Ald. Ed Burke With Corruption
Federal prosecutors on Thursday filed a corruption case against Edward M. Burke, who has been Chicago’s most powerful alderman for decades, just weeks after FBI agents dramatically raided his offices at City Hall and on the city’s Southwest Side. Less than two months before February’s city election, Burke faces a single count of attempted extortion, according to court records that were unsealed shortly after noon on Thursday. He arrived at the courthouse lobby on Thursday afternoon.
The King of Recusals: How Ald. Ed Burke’s Private Law Business Intersects With His Public Power
The line between embattled Chicago Ald. Edward Burke’s lucrative law practice and his public office is so thin that he has recused himself from hundreds of City Council votes that have sent millions of dollars in benefits to his private clients — from mega bond deals to tiny zoning changes. Feds Charge Powerful Ald.
How Ald. Ed Burke’s Private Law Business Intersects With His Public Power
The line between embattled Chicago Ald. Edward Burke’s lucrative law practice and his public office is so thin that he has recused himself from hundreds of City Council votes that have sent millions of dollars in benefits to his private clients — from mega bond deals to tiny zoning changes. Burke’s dual roles as the most powerful alderman on the council and high-end tax attorney for companies with business before the city have played out for decades.
The King of Recusals: How Ald. Ed Burke’s Private Law Business Intersects With His Public Power
The line between embattled Chicago Ald. Edward Burke’s lucrative law practice and his public office is so thin that he has recused himself from hundreds of City Council votes that have sent millions of dollars in benefits to his private clients — from mega bond deals to tiny zoning changes. Burke’s dual roles as the most powerful alderman on the council and high-end tax attorney for companies with business before the city have played out for decades.
How Ald. Ed Burke’s Private Law Business Intersects With His Public Power
WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter. The line between embattled Chicago Ald. Edward Burke’s lucrative law practice and his public office is so thin that he has recused himself from hundreds of City Council votes that have sent millions of dollars in benefits to his private clients — from mega bond deals to tiny zoning changes.
The King of Recusals: How Ald. Ed Burke’s Private Law Business Intersects With His Public Power
The line between embattled Chicago Ald. Edward Burke’s lucrative law practice and his public office is so thin that he has recused himself from hundreds of City Council votes that have sent millions of dollars in benefits to his private clients — from mega bond deals to tiny zoning changes. Feds Charge Powerful Ald.
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania apologizes to accusers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):4:45 p.m.The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office says it's no longer seeking to force three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs.The attorney general's office had said Tuesday in a letter to the students' attorney that it's "concerned about the...
APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania pays fired university VP's lawyer
Pennsylvania taxpayers are footing the $240,000 legal bill of a former state university administrator who was fired after an internal investigation substantiated allegations of financial impropriety and sexual misconduct toward students, according to a settlement agreement obtained by The Associated Press.The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which oversees 14 state universities, agreed to pay Isaac Sanders' lawyer after he successfully defended Sanders in a federal civil...
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania apologizes to accusers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office says it's no longer seeking to force three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs.The attorney general's office had said Tuesday in a letter to the students' attorney that it's "concerned about the chilling...
APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania pays fired university VP's lawyer
Pennsylvania taxpayers are footing the $240,000 legal bill of a former state university administrator who was fired after an internal investigation substantiated allegations of financial impropriety and sexual misconduct toward students, according to a settlement agreement obtained by The Associated Press.The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which oversees 14 state universities, agreed to pay Isaac Sanders' lawyer after he successfully defended Sanders in a federal civil...
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania apologizes to accusers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office says it's no longer seeking to force three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs.The attorney general's office had said Tuesday in a letter to the students' attorney that it's "concerned about the chilling...
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania apologizes to accusers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):4:45 p.m.The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office says it's no longer seeking to force three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs.
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania apologizes to accusers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):4:45 p.m.The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office says it's no longer seeking to force three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs.
APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania pays fired university VP's lawyer
Pennsylvania taxpayers are footing the $240,000 legal bill of a former state university administrator who was fired after an internal investigation substantiated allegations of financial impropriety and sexual misconduct toward students, according to a settlement agreement obtained by The Associated Press.The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which oversees 14 state universities, agreed to pay Isaac Sanders' lawyer after he successfully defended Sanders in a federal civil...
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania apologizes to accusers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office says it's no longer seeking to force three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs.
APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania pays fired university VP's lawyer
Pennsylvania taxpayers are footing the $240,000 legal bill of a former state university administrator who was fired after an internal investigation substantiated allegations of financial impropriety and sexual misconduct toward students, according to a settlement agreement obtained by The Associated Press.The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which oversees 14 state universities, agreed to pay Isaac Sanders' lawyer after he successfully defended Sanders in a federal civil...
APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania pays fired university VP's lawyer
Pennsylvania taxpayers are footing the $240,000 legal bill of a former state university administrator who was fired after an internal investigation substantiated allegations of financial impropriety and sexual misconduct toward students, according to a settlement agreement obtained by The Associated Press.The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which oversees 14 state universities, agreed to pay Isaac Sanders' lawyer after he successfully defended Sanders in a federal civil...
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania apologizes to accusers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):4:45 p.m.The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office says it's no longer seeking to force three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs.
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania apologizes to accusers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office says it's no longer seeking to force three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs.The attorney general's office had said Tuesday in a letter to the students' attorney that it's "concerned about the chilling...
APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania pays fired university VP's lawyer
Pennsylvania taxpayers are footing the $240,000 legal bill of a former state university administrator who was fired after an internal investigation substantiated allegations of financial impropriety and sexual misconduct toward students, according to a settlement agreement obtained by The Associated Press.The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which oversees 14 state universities, agreed to pay Isaac Sanders' lawyer after he successfully defended Sanders in a federal civil...
APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania pays fired university VP's lawyer
Pennsylvania taxpayers are footing the $240,000 legal bill of a former state university administrator who was fired after an internal investigation substantiated allegations of financial impropriety and sexual misconduct toward students, according to a settlement agreement obtained by The Associated Press.The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which oversees 14 state universities, agreed to pay Isaac Sanders' lawyer after he successfully defended Sanders in a federal civil...
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania apologizes to accusers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):4:45 p.m.The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office says it's no longer seeking to force three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs.
APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania pays fired university VP's lawyer
Pennsylvania taxpayers are footing the $240,000 legal bill of a former state university administrator who was fired after an internal investigation substantiated allegations of financial impropriety and sexual misconduct toward students, according to a settlement agreement obtained by The Associated Press.The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which oversees 14 state universities, agreed to pay Isaac Sanders' lawyer after he successfully defended Sanders in a federal civil...
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania apologizes to accusers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office says it's no longer seeking to force three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs.The attorney general's office had said Tuesday in a letter to the students' attorney that it's "concerned about the chilling...
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania apologizes to accusers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office says it's no longer seeking to force three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs.The attorney general's office had said Tuesday in a letter to the students' attorney that it's "concerned about the chilling...
APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania pays fired university VP's lawyer
Pennsylvania taxpayers are footing the $240,000 legal bill of a former state university administrator who was fired after an internal investigation substantiated allegations of financial impropriety and sexual misconduct toward students, according to a settlement agreement obtained by The Associated Press.The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which oversees 14 state universities, agreed to pay Isaac Sanders' lawyer after he successfully defended Sanders in a federal civil...
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Pennsylvania apologizes to accusers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):4:45 p.m.The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office says it's no longer seeking to force three former state university students who say they were sexually abused by a high-ranking administrator to pay $10,000 in court costs.The attorney general's office had said Tuesday in a letter to the students' attorney that it's "concerned about the...
Fired university vice president sues Pennsylvania for $50M
A former state university administrator has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Pennsylvania’s higher education agency, claiming it fired him for sexual misconduct with students based on unfounded “rumors and innuendo.”Isaac Sanders, who is black, claims he suffered a “public lynching” when East Stroudsburg University fired him a decade ago following an investigation conducted by an outside law firm.Sanders is seeking $50 million from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, the...
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Fired university VP sues for $50M
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):A former state university administrator has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Pennsylvania's higher education agency, claiming it fired him for sexual misconduct with students based on unfounded "rumors and innuendo."Isaac Sanders, who is black, claims he suffered a "public lynching" when East Stroudsburg University fired him a decade ago...
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Fired university VP sues for $50M
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):A former state university administrator has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Pennsylvania's higher education agency, claiming it fired him for sexual misconduct with students based on unfounded "rumors and innuendo." Isaac Sanders, who is black, claims he suffered a "public lynching" when East Stroudsburg University fired him a decade ago...
The Latest: APNewsBreak: Fired university VP sues for $50M
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on a Pennsylvania state university administrator fired over alleged sexual misconduct with students (all times local):4 p.m.A former state university administrator has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Pennsylvania's higher education agency, claiming it fired him for sexual misconduct with students based on unfounded "rumors and innuendo."Isaac Sanders, who is black, claims he suffered a "public lynching" when East Stroudsburg University fired him a decade...
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