Behind the Investigation with Atlanta News First

A recent change in insurance could soon make it harder for breast cancer survivors to get a common type of reconstruction surgery.

It’s because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency that administers Medicare and works with state governments to provide Medicaid, is considering dropping the specific billing code for DIEP Flap procedures. The treatment involves surgically removing tissue from the lower belly, shaping it and then attaching it to the chest in the form of a new breast.

This potential coding change has already garnered outcry from some breast cancer survivors.

 On Jan. 2, 2021, then-President Donald Trump and his White House placed a call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger over the outcome of the state’s 2020 presidential election results.

That call has become a crucial part of Fulton County DA Fani Willis’ investigation into whether Trump or any of his associates interfered with the election’s outcome, an election that saw Joe Biden become the first Democrat to win Georgia since Bill Clinton in 1992.

Listen to that entire phone call now. 

Read the phone call's full transcript here:  https://bit.ly/3EcUGDw

Shielded, a special series by Brendan Keefe, Atlanta News First Chief Investigator

Are police officers given special treatment when they are suspects in family violence incidents? After months of research, investigations and interviews, “Shielded” is a four-part series that uncovers cases where an officer in an alleged domestic dispute was treated differently – much differently – than similar suspects.

When cops are arrested for domestic violence, data shows they rarely get convicted. Many keep their jobs. About half keep their law enforcement certifications – and their guns. We also look at two cases in which officers who were given their guns back killed their wives with those same guns. This series provides resources and other help for not only police and their families, but everyone who might be experiencing domestic violence. 

Read and watch the entire series here: https://bit.ly/43Y3GH0

Shielded, a special four-part series by Brendan Keefe, Atlanta News First Chief Investigator

Are police officers given special treatment when they are suspects in family violence incidents? After months of research, investigations and interviews, “Shielded” is a four-part series that uncovers cases where an officer in an alleged domestic dispute was treated differently – much differently – than similar suspects.

When cops are arrested for domestic violence, data shows they rarely get convicted. Many keep their jobs. About half keep their law enforcement certifications – and their guns. We also look at two cases in which officers who were given their guns back killed their wives with those same guns. This series provides resources and other help for not only police and their families, but everyone who might be experiencing domestic violence. 

Read and watch the entire series here: https://bit.ly/43Y3GH0

 An Atlanta News First investigation has uncovered flaws in a weapons detection system currently being used in Atlanta Public Schools (APS) that has also been approved in the DeKalb County School District (DCSD).

The weapons detection system is called Evolv, and is manufactured by Massachusetts-based Evolv Technologies. According to a private report Evolv commissioned and Atlanta News First Investigates obtained, Evolv failed to detect four out of every 10 knives during a 2021 field test at an Ohio sports venue.

https://bit.ly/3N5vfaA

As more police use facial recognition software, the search for suspects is leaving behind is a trail of new victims. 

https://bit.ly/42fQITN

n Atlanta News First investigation has uncovered a state agency spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on public relations firms to help with its image following multiple investigations by the local news outlet.

Over the past few years, the Georgia Public Defender Council, which represents 85% of all people charged with crimes, has struggled to hire enough attorneys.

Since December, Atlanta News First investigations has shed light on multiple people behind bars in county jails across Georgia, legally innocent, but without legal representation, a violation of the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

In an apparent attempt to put a positive spin on the struggling agency, documents obtained through public record requests show the Defender Council has hired two public relations companies.

THE SIXTH | A SPECIAL ATLANTA NEWS FIRST INVESTIGATION

Atlanta News First Investigates uncovered the practice of housing teens in government offices for weeks or months without a bed or going to school.

https://bit.ly/3pMAkwi

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration receives roughly 100,000 medication error reports every year.
https://bit.ly/3W6rRjO

While re-selling unused diabetic test strips is legal, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is concerned.

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/44Ux1DB