Topher Sanders, Reporter

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Sanders" width="400" height="400" src="https://img.assets-c3.propublica.org/images/bio/20171213_portraits00144-topher-sanders-sized.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=75&w=800&s=fbeb47933e53838ed85b4b8e5378fa50" srcset="https://img.assets-c3.propublica.org/images/bio/20171213_portraits00144-topher-sanders-sized.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=400&q=75&w=400&s=4c1c2b836c0a5b014eb384be1c32d7b2 400w, https://img.assets-c3.propublica.org/images/bio/20171213_portraits00144-topher-sanders-sized.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=75&w=800&s=fbeb47933e53838ed85b4b8e5378fa50 800w, https://img.assets-c3.propublica.org/images/bio/20171213_portraits00144-topher-sanders-sized.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=75&w=1200&s=24d7179408dd7015791b7735d5942cd0 1200w, https://img.assets-c3.propublica.org/images/bio/20171213_portraits00144-topher-sanders-sized.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1300&q=75&w=1300&s=3f6b7e5444a52319a5e187607dce8fbc 1300w, https://img.assets-c3.propublica.org/images/bio/20171213_portraits00144-topher-sanders-sized.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1450&q=75&w=1450&s=05cf36a71e818c7410de60ddeeec7faf 1450w, https://img.assets-c3.propublica.org/images/bio/20171213_portraits00144-topher-sanders-sized.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1600&q=75&w=1600&s=c3ca2d4f814f2f085796e4aae14ddd5b 1600w, https://img.assets-c3.propublica.org/images/bio/20171213_portraits00144-topher-sanders-sized.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2000&q=75&w=2000&s=8aa5d80c788509a21deb9fba71ff898d 2000w" /> <div class="stack stack--col stack--spacing-1 stack--align-center"> <h2 class="people-listing-header__hed">Topher Sanders</h2> <p class="people-listing-header__bio-short">I report on injustice of any kind, but particularly in race, inequality and the legal system.</p> </div> <ul class="people-listing-header__social | stack stack--row stack--spacing-2"> <li> <a class="btn btn--icon-only btn--black btn--circular" style="--button-color: var(--color-neutral-10); --button-text-color: var(--color-neutral-full);" title="Bluesky" href="https://bsky.app/profile/tophersanders.bsky.social" > <span class="icon" style="--icon-size: 1.25em"> <svg role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor"> <title>Bluesky</title> <path d="M5.20079 2.42542C7.95442 4.48593 10.9155 8.67296 12 10.9221C13.0845 8.67768 16.0456 4.49064 18.7992 2.42542C20.7843 0.935439 24 -0.215052 24 3.45332C24 4.18416 23.5804 9.60656 23.3352 10.4883C22.477 13.5437 19.3556 14.3264 16.5784 13.8502C21.4303 14.6753 22.6656 17.4101 19.9969 20.1449C14.9328 25.3409 12.7214 18.8435 12.1556 17.179C12.0754 16.948 12.033 16.8113 12 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class="people-listing-bio">  <div class="people-listing-bio__text"> <h3>What I Cover</h3> <p>I report on injustice of any kind, but particularly in race, inequality and the legal system. I’m focused on how the second Trump administration will impact justice in America, but I’m always looking for under-covered stories that affect everyday folks.</p> <h3>My Background</h3> <p>In 2023, I was part of a team of reporters that exposed the challenges communities face when freight trains block railroad crossings for days, endangering schoolchildren. Before that, my colleagues and I produced the multipart investigation “Walking While Black,” which explored how jaywalking citations are disproportionately given to Black pedestrians, and was part of a team that probed President Trump’s family separation policy. The former won the Al Nakkula award while the latter won Peabody and George Polk awards and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. </p> <p>My work has spurred grand juries and investigations into prosecutors, changed federal rules and forced police departments to drop charges against the unlawfully arrested. </p> <p>In 2016 I co-founded the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit working to increase the number of investigative reporters and editors of color. I am a graduate of Tuskegee University and I started my journalism career at the Montgomery Advertiser in Alabama.</p> <p>You can send me feedback, story tips and documents via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4f3b203f272a3d613c2e212b2a3d3c0f3f3d203f3a2d23262c2e61203d28">[email protected]</a>, or by Signal or WhatsApp at 904-254-0393</p> </div>  </div>  </div> <div class="people-listing-stories"> <div class="people-listing-featured-stories"> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://features.propublica.org/walking-while-black/jacksonville-pedestrian-violations-racial-profiling/"> <img alt="" src="https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/externals/_threeTwo400w/20171116-wlking-while-black-3x2.jpg" width="400" height="267" srcset="https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/externals/_threeTwo400w/20171116-wlking-while-black-3x2.jpg 400w, https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/externals/_threeTwo800w/20171116-wlking-while-black-3x2.jpg 800w, https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/externals/_threeTwo1200w/20171116-wlking-while-black-3x2.jpg 1200w, https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/externals/_threeTwo1600w/20171116-wlking-while-black-3x2.jpg 1600w " loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <a class="story-card__series" href="https://www.propublica.org/series/walking-while-black">Walking While Black</a> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://features.propublica.org/walking-while-black/jacksonville-pedestrian-violations-racial-profiling/"> Walking While Black in Jacksonville </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > Jacksonville’s enforcement of pedestrian violations raises concerns that it’s another example of racial profiling. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a> and <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/kate-rabinowitz">Kate Rabinowitz</a>, ProPublica, and <span class="name">Benjamin Conarck</span>, <a href="http://www.jacksonville.com/">The Florida Times-Union [Jacksonville]</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2017-11-16EST08:00">Nov. 16, 2017, 8 a.m. EST</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/trains-crossing-blocked-kids-norfolk-southern"> <img alt="" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%273%27%20height%3D%272%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E" srcset="https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/Blocked-Crossings-Promo.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=267&q=75&w=400&s=4d6b95ed2d5b4e08f254e2fe6c6d55b5 400w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/Blocked-Crossings-Promo.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=533&q=75&w=800&s=8520e25dee8f8a7378b93652407693b4 800w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/Blocked-Crossings-Promo.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=75&w=1200&s=67bb9545997adfe15431f128b8743a3b 1200w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/Blocked-Crossings-Promo.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1067&q=75&w=1600&s=3c26cbbd8166ab07e7feb68f6a11201f 1600w" width="400" height="267" loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <a class="story-card__series" href="https://www.propublica.org/series/train-country">Train Country</a> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/trains-crossing-blocked-kids-norfolk-southern"> As Rail Profits Soar, Blocked Crossings Force Kids to Crawl Under Trains to Get to School </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > When crossings are blocked for hours, kids risk their lives to get to school by crawling through trains that could start at any moment. Ambulances and fire trucks can’t get through. The problem has existed for decades. But it’s getting worse. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a> and <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/dan-schwartz">Dan Schwartz</a>, ProPublica, and <span class="name">Joce Sterman</span>, <a href="https://www.investigatetv.com/">Gray Television/InvestigateTV</a>; Video by <span class="name">Scotty Smith</span>, <a href="https://www.investigatetv.com/">Gray Television/InvestigateTV</a>; Photography by <span class="name">Jamie Kelter Davis</span> for <a href="https://www.propublica.org">ProPublica</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2023-04-26EDT12:00">April 26, 2023, 12 p.m. EDT</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/immigrant-youth-shelters-sexual-abuse-fights-missing-children"> <img alt="" src="https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/articles/_threeTwo400w/20180727-immigration-shelter-abuse-3x2.jpg" width="400" height="267" srcset="https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/articles/_threeTwo400w/20180727-immigration-shelter-abuse-3x2.jpg 400w, https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/articles/_threeTwo800w/20180727-immigration-shelter-abuse-3x2.jpg 800w, https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/articles/_threeTwo1200w/20180727-immigration-shelter-abuse-3x2.jpg 1200w, https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/articles/_threeTwo1600w/20180727-immigration-shelter-abuse-3x2.jpg 1600w " loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <a class="story-card__series" href="https://www.propublica.org/series/zero-tolerance">Zero Tolerance</a> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/immigrant-youth-shelters-sexual-abuse-fights-missing-children"> Immigrant Youth Shelters: “If You’re a Predator, It’s a Gold Mine” </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > We obtained police reports and call logs from more than two-thirds of the shelters housing immigrant children. Here’s what they show. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/michael-grabell">Michael Grabell</a> and <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2018-07-27EDT12:19">July 27, 2018, 12:19 p.m. EDT</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/chokeholds-nypd-videos"> <img alt="" src="https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/articles/_threeTwo400w/20210121_chokeholds_3x2.png" width="400" height="267" srcset="https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/articles/_threeTwo400w/20210121_chokeholds_3x2.png 400w, https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/articles/_threeTwo800w/20210121_chokeholds_3x2.png 800w, https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/articles/_threeTwo1200w/20210121_chokeholds_3x2.png 1200w, https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/articles/_threeTwo1600w/20210121_chokeholds_3x2.png 1600w " loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <a class="story-card__series" href="https://www.propublica.org/series/the-nypd-files">The NYPD Files</a> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/chokeholds-nypd-videos"> Still Can’t Breathe </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > How NYPD officers continue to use chokeholds — which can be deadly and are explicitly prohibited by the department — on civilians, while officers with substantiated claims of abuse go without any meaningful punishment. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a>, ProPublica, and <span class="name">Yoav Gonen</span>, <a href="https://www.thecity.nyc/">THE CITY</a>, video by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/lucas-waldron">Lucas Waldron</a>, ProPublica, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2021-01-21EST05:00">Jan. 21, 2021, 5 a.m. EST</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="listing-river | stack stack--col"> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-administration-funding-freeze-workarounds"> <img alt="" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%273%27%20height%3D%272%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E" srcset="https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/GettyImages-2196911926_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.4272&fp-y=0.483&h=267&q=75&w=400&s=24d8c5fc08aa491ef1a0453a762a5e90 400w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/GettyImages-2196911926_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.4272&fp-y=0.483&h=533&q=75&w=800&s=6680d758049b694af041955f98b09c49 800w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/GettyImages-2196911926_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.4272&fp-y=0.483&h=800&q=75&w=1200&s=758df798d1aabe2d16a34f73ff33ce13 1200w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/GettyImages-2196911926_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.4272&fp-y=0.483&h=1067&q=75&w=1600&s=e3afd60cbd22aa8f3cfd1fdd95516078 1600w" width="400" height="267" loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-administration-funding-freeze-workarounds"> The Courts Blocked Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze. Agencies Are Withholding Money Anyway. </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > Agencies continue to suspend funding, despite multiple court orders blocking the federal freeze. Experts say the Trump administration’s actions set the stage for challenges to Congress’ authority — and the limits of the presidency. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/jake-pearson">Jake Pearson</a> and <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/anjeanette-damon">Anjeanette Damon</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2025-02-10EST15:35">Feb. 10, 2025, 3:35 p.m. EST</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/how-to-reduce-formaldehyde-home-exposure"> <img alt="" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%273%27%20height%3D%272%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E" srcset="https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/formaldehyde-solutions-final-promo_2024-12-06-234655_huto.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=267&q=75&w=400&s=68ba62c6259606898ab74612a9a7fa50 400w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/formaldehyde-solutions-final-promo_2024-12-06-234655_huto.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=533&q=75&w=800&s=a1896600af2f1de52ed7c16c23e8326e 800w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/formaldehyde-solutions-final-promo_2024-12-06-234655_huto.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=75&w=1200&s=4dda988c641dbe37b79f6cb8e86b6342 1200w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/formaldehyde-solutions-final-promo_2024-12-06-234655_huto.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1067&q=75&w=1600&s=06d8a057fd5699c38f065ebad6dfbb10 1600w" width="400" height="267" loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <a class="story-card__series" href="https://www.propublica.org/series/unreasonable-risk">Unreasonable Risk</a> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/how-to-reduce-formaldehyde-home-exposure"> How to Reduce Formaldehyde Exposure in Your Home </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > The underregulated toxic chemical can be found in common household items from couches to clothes. We asked experts how you can reduce your exposure. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2024-12-09EST05:05">Dec. 9, 2024, 5:05 a.m. EST</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/formaldehyde-levels-in-your-home-car-furniture"> <img alt="" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%273%27%20height%3D%272%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E" srcset="https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/formaldehyde-indoor-air-final-promo-2.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=267&q=75&w=400&s=03cda06ea3bf91a7daf0c87de8ff608e 400w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/formaldehyde-indoor-air-final-promo-2.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=533&q=75&w=800&s=43abe062d60f98efd59cca21cf38cfa6 800w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/formaldehyde-indoor-air-final-promo-2.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=75&w=1200&s=23ae7eb091db29e8ac367e25ce77f412 1200w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/formaldehyde-indoor-air-final-promo-2.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1067&q=75&w=1600&s=46268cf1e57d3f3018af10eb0c8f5399 1600w" width="400" height="267" loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <a class="story-card__series" href="https://www.propublica.org/series/unreasonable-risk">Unreasonable Risk</a> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/formaldehyde-levels-in-your-home-car-furniture"> How Much Formaldehyde Is in Your Car, Your Kitchen or Your Furniture? Here’s What Our Testing Found. </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > The chemical can trigger health problems and causes more cancer than any other toxic air pollutant. Our reporters traveled around New York City and New Jersey with equipment to measure its presence. The results proved concerning. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a>, with additional reporting by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/sharon-lerner">Sharon Lerner</a> and <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/al-shaw">Al Shaw</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2024-12-09EST05:00">Dec. 9, 2024, 5 a.m. EST</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/new-hud-rule-storm-drain-safety-flooding"> <img alt="" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%273%27%20height%3D%272%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E" srcset="https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20211209-passaic-barricades_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=267&q=75&w=400&s=de5df0c747fe111f9c4e4c481f111f90 400w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20211209-passaic-barricades_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=533&q=75&w=800&s=0fce2b0e8cd9954eeecc34ba55d6135e 800w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20211209-passaic-barricades_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=75&w=1200&s=65caf28716d1dbfc22e99bcfceb90356 1200w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20211209-passaic-barricades_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1067&q=75&w=1600&s=deae3c6da0c8893d777c6d660b89b89f 1600w" width="400" height="267" loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/new-hud-rule-storm-drain-safety-flooding"> People Are Still Being Swallowed by Storm Drains. One U.S. Agency Is Pushing for Safety Measures. </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > A new federal rule requires that local officials in flood-prone areas consider safety features for drain openings. In 2021, ProPublica reported that uncovered storm drains were responsible for at least three dozen deaths over six years. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2024-07-23EDT05:00">July 23, 2024, 5 a.m. EDT</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/railroad-safety-data-missing-dead-workers-severed-limbs"> <img alt="" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%273%27%20height%3D%272%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E" srcset="https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20240307-Unreported-Train-Country.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.3515&fp-y=0.3297&h=267&q=75&w=400&s=5dbbb5ae861c80f9e95ab0f9e36c9eca 400w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20240307-Unreported-Train-Country.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.3515&fp-y=0.3297&h=533&q=75&w=800&s=7a07205d704cc4cf6ae2a25874eb6f98 800w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20240307-Unreported-Train-Country.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.3515&fp-y=0.3297&h=800&q=75&w=1200&s=f6e04d73d7f6e02d10891bc971d84668 1200w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20240307-Unreported-Train-Country.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.3515&fp-y=0.3297&h=1067&q=75&w=1600&s=62b01a775cbef80679db3539840f0265 1600w" width="400" height="267" loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <a class="story-card__series" href="https://www.propublica.org/series/train-country">Train Country</a> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/railroad-safety-data-missing-dead-workers-severed-limbs"> What’s Missing From Railroad Safety Data? Dead Workers and Severed Limbs. </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > Thanks to government loopholes, rail companies haven’t been scrutinized by the Federal Railroad Administration for scores of alleged worker injuries and at least two deaths. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a>, <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/dan-schwartz">Dan Schwartz</a>, <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/danelle-morton">Danelle Morton</a> and <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/gabriel-sandoval">Gabriel Sandoval</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2024-03-13EDT05:00">March 13, 2024, 5 a.m. EDT</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/trains-railroad-kcs-kansas-city-southern-injuries-lawsuit"> <img alt="" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%273%27%20height%3D%272%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E" srcset="https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231205-Birks-Train-Country-Promo.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=267&q=75&w=400&s=67f03c311c9351de18da59533d19b53c 400w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231205-Birks-Train-Country-Promo.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=533&q=75&w=800&s=2a6bd1316e9104bf8f30441965f6e3e3 800w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231205-Birks-Train-Country-Promo.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=75&w=1200&s=91482cd6ed5e61974f58d118a5d2637c 1200w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231205-Birks-Train-Country-Promo.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1067&q=75&w=1600&s=f5b103960f1316347dad9052c0776c3a 1600w" width="400" height="267" loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <a class="story-card__series" href="https://www.propublica.org/series/train-country">Train Country</a> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/trains-railroad-kcs-kansas-city-southern-injuries-lawsuit"> “It Looks Like the Railroad Is Asking for You to Say Thank You” </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > After brakeman Chris Cole lost both his legs on the job, railroad officials removed evidence before state regulators could see it, omitted key facts in reports and suspended him from a job he could never return to. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/jessica-lussenhop">Jessica Lussenhop</a> and <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2023-12-19EST06:00">Dec. 19, 2023, 6 a.m. EST</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/railroad-worker-injuries-union-pacific-csx-cn-norfolk-southern"> <img alt="" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%273%27%20height%3D%272%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E" srcset="https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231208-Boillot-Train-Country-Sequence03-1.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.4987&fp-y=0.5557&h=267&q=75&w=400&s=d58d529bd8f92248ee68ed44337d1d08 400w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231208-Boillot-Train-Country-Sequence03-1.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.4987&fp-y=0.5557&h=533&q=75&w=800&s=51273b12afde804640382a34b52a1b83 800w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231208-Boillot-Train-Country-Sequence03-1.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.4987&fp-y=0.5557&h=800&q=75&w=1200&s=ea03e2b87c6bd458df9c771460ff69eb 1200w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231208-Boillot-Train-Country-Sequence03-1.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.4987&fp-y=0.5557&h=1067&q=75&w=1600&s=6a7c23c3da27fd068bbcc433022eccfc 1600w" width="400" height="267" loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <a class="story-card__series" href="https://www.propublica.org/series/train-country">Train Country</a> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/railroad-worker-injuries-union-pacific-csx-cn-norfolk-southern"> When Railroad Workers Get Hurt on the Job, Some Supervisors Go to Extremes to Keep It Quiet </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > Railroad officials have lied, spied and bribed to keep workers’ injuries off the books. “Don’t put your job on the line for another employee.” </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a>, <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/dan-schwartz">Dan Schwartz</a>, <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/danelle-morton">Danelle Morton</a>, <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/gabriel-sandoval">Gabriel Sandoval</a> and <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/jessica-lussenhop">Jessica Lussenhop</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2023-12-16EST05:00">Dec. 16, 2023, 5 a.m. EST</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/union-pacific-railroad-dangerous-conditions-warnings-fired-employee"> <img alt="" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%273%27%20height%3D%272%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E" srcset="https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231017-Kask-Train-Country-001.JPG?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=267&q=75&w=400&s=d80370d00800bae94264cb7d7b534896 400w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231017-Kask-Train-Country-001.JPG?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=533&q=75&w=800&s=e0efd7a6c59c29f1325359b597fa6fb7 800w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231017-Kask-Train-Country-001.JPG?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=75&w=1200&s=f184ebbd5f257e87a4f1cd55c33575ce 1200w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231017-Kask-Train-Country-001.JPG?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1067&q=75&w=1600&s=cf59626717b28bb156b915bd7bbfe6a5 1600w" width="400" height="267" loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <a class="story-card__series" href="https://www.propublica.org/series/train-country">Train Country</a> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/union-pacific-railroad-dangerous-conditions-warnings-fired-employee"> Union Pacific Fired Him Rather Than Heed His Warnings of Dangerous Rail Conditions </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > Time and again, Johnny Taylor’s duty to keep the rails safe from disaster conflicted with his employer’s desire to keep its trains running as fast and as frequently as possible, putting his career and family in peril. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <span class="name">Danelle Morton</span> and <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a>, with additional reporting by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/jessica-lussenhop">Jessica Lussenhop</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2023-11-18EST05:00">Nov. 18, 2023, 5 a.m. EST</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/railroad-safety-union-pacific-csx-bnsf-trains-freight"> <img alt="" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%273%27%20height%3D%272%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E" srcset="https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231029-Kirk-Train-Country-3200.JPG?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.6928&fp-y=0.3407&h=267&q=75&w=400&s=2a7d7f225135da2551aa5206762d5292 400w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231029-Kirk-Train-Country-3200.JPG?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.6928&fp-y=0.3407&h=533&q=75&w=800&s=bcb084445a597513650ab304eab28a3a 800w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231029-Kirk-Train-Country-3200.JPG?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.6928&fp-y=0.3407&h=800&q=75&w=1200&s=7a206299d088e2246e35c89e97be9d42 1200w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20231029-Kirk-Train-Country-3200.JPG?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.6928&fp-y=0.3407&h=1067&q=75&w=1600&s=efcd2c9695e48cb95153d9b916f53cc5 1600w" width="400" height="267" loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <a class="story-card__series" href="https://www.propublica.org/series/train-country">Train Country</a> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/railroad-safety-union-pacific-csx-bnsf-trains-freight"> “Do Your Job.” How the Railroad Industry Intimidates Employees Into Putting Speed Before Safety </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > Railroad companies have penalized workers for taking the time to make needed repairs and created a culture in which supervisors threaten and fire the very people hired to keep trains running safely. Regulators say they can’t stop this intimidation. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a>, <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/jessica-lussenhop">Jessica Lussenhop</a>, <span class="name">Dan Schwartz</span>, <span class="name">Danelle Morton</span> and <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/gabriel-sandoval">Gabriel Sandoval</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2023-11-15EST06:00">Nov. 15, 2023, 6 a.m. EST</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <div class="story-card story-card--standard"> <div class="lead-art"> <a class="aspect-3-2" href="https://www.propublica.org/article/union-pacific-federal-railroad-administration-unsafe-trains"> <img alt="" src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%273%27%20height%3D%272%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E" srcset="https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20230811-Train-Country-UP-Safety_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.4953&fp-y=0.6759&h=267&q=75&w=400&s=3be3e0b849e810d81aed1ea4d3c8524b 400w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20230811-Train-Country-UP-Safety_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.4953&fp-y=0.6759&h=533&q=75&w=800&s=06163b1dfa9d03ef6a2a42e65802944f 800w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20230811-Train-Country-UP-Safety_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.4953&fp-y=0.6759&h=800&q=75&w=1200&s=59ca7f0c98e26dd09590c5a2a8ca1ac7 1200w, https://img.assets-d.propublica.org/v5/images/20230811-Train-Country-UP-Safety_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=webp&fp-x=0.4953&fp-y=0.6759&h=1067&q=75&w=1600&s=40c1cb5d598f58be96a38bc0490ced2e 1600w" width="400" height="267" loading="lazy" js-autosizes /> </a> </div> <div class="story-card__description"> <a class="story-card__series" href="https://www.propublica.org/series/train-country">Train Country</a> <h3 class="story-card__hed" > <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/union-pacific-federal-railroad-administration-unsafe-trains"> Regulators Blast Union Pacific for Running Unsafe Trains </a> </h3> <p class="story-card__dek" > The nation’s largest freight rail carrier failed to fix and continued to use faulty equipment, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. Managers reportedly pressured inspectors to leave the yard so they could keep freight moving. </p> <p class="story-card__byline"> <span class="story-card__byline-author"> by <a class="name" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders">Topher Sanders</a>, </span> <span class="story-card__byline-dateline"> <time class="timestamp" datetime="2023-09-11EDT12:30">Sept. 11, 2023, 12:30 p.m. EDT</time> </span> </p> </div> </div> <nav class="pagination | stack stack--row stack--spacing-2 stack--align-center stack--justify-center"> <span class="pagination__number pagination__number--current">1</span> <a class="pagination__number" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders/p2">2</a> <a class="pagination__number" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders/p3">3</a> <span class="pagination__truncation">…</span> <a class="pagination__number" href="https://www.propublica.org/people/topher-sanders/p7">7</a> <a 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Topher Sanders, Reporter — ProPublica