Daniela Molina 5o5j
Investigative Producer 2m3a6r
Miami, Florida 44644i
Daniela Molina is a bilingual investigative journalist who has great interest in trafficking and health care stories. Throughout her time at InvestigateTV she has uncovered nursing home abuse, desecration of Black cemeteries, lack of updated emergency medical kits on airlines and has exposed secrecy in military medical malpractice. Daniela Molina also has a Spanish financial consumer segment called “Cuidando Su Billetera” that airs on Gray Media Group's Telemundo stations. 3s4362
Records show drug diversion as major contributor to illegal pill mills, self-prescribed narcotics abuse 3e1317
From a nurse who stole pain medications intended for hundreds of women to an anesthesiologist operating a years-long, multi-million-dollar pill mill, diversion is a pervasive issue with few barriers to prevent it.
In the Dark: Astronomers warn about counterfeit eclipse glasses 2q16v
The solar eclipse of 2024 is quickly approaching. April 8th is the day to look up to experience a solar eclipse or partial eclipse, depending on where you live. But to do that NASA says you need special glasses to protect your eyes. And Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa found out, you also need to be very careful about what you buy and where you buy those solar glasses to avoid being duped right before the event.
Repair Despair: Federal agencies warn about fake for-profit debt relief programs 5kb2d
At least 54 million U.S. adults have been in credit card debt for the last year according to a new study, and some might still be paying off debt they accumulated during the holidays last year. Credit card balances are increasing faster than any other type of debt – putting consumers in vulnerable positions. But government agencies are warning of a new scam with credit debt relief programs convincing consumers that they can fix their problem by just paying a small “fee”.
The Price You Pay: Hospitals are posting procedure costs online, but consumers say price tags can still be hard to find 416ka
Hospitals across the country are supposed to post their prices online to make it easier for consumers to shop around and choose the best option. But more than two years after federal transparency rule went into effect, consumers still have trouble finding prices on hospital websites.
Teens Targeted: Lawmakers push for bipartisan legislation to combat sextortion cases 672dq
State and federal law enforcement agencies report a ride in sextortion cases, where children and teens are being coerced into sending sexually explicit images or videos online and then extorted for money. Now, lawmakers in the Senate are trying to strengthen the nation’s centralized reporting system for online child exploitation.
Teens Targeted: Funding and resources remain a constant challenge as law enforcement tackles sextortion and internet crimes 56tq
As the rise of a new form of blackmail targets teens, a father shares his son's story about the crime and how internet crime task forces are working to combat those crimes with limited funding and resources.
Tasked with critical testing, newborn screening programs feel pinch of funding struggles 5s6364
Rare disorders and conditions are caught in more than 12,000 babies born every year because of newborn screening done across the United States. But despite the critical need, an InvestigateTV survey of screening programs nationwide found many are facing challenges due to a lack of funding.
Emergency Medical Kits are essential to saving airline engers, but doctors say regulations are outdated 1y581h
Doctors across the country are sounding the alarm on emergency medical kits, commonly known as EMKs, on commercial flights saying sometimes they fall short and could be outdated. The Federal Aviation istration hasn't updated the requirement for items on these kits for almost two decades, leaving it up to airlines to decide what to add.
Death by ZIP Code: How state borders dictate critical screening for newborns 4n5v35
The state where a baby is born determines what serious and rare disorders he or she will be screened for shortly after birth. It’s a patchwork of policies across the country that could have dire consequences. Some parents call it death by ZIP code.
Daycare Dilemma: How parents navigate unlicensed and licensed child care systems across the country 6c505e
According to a ChildCare Aware study, in 2021 the national average price of child care in the U.S. was more than $10,000 annually. Availability has also become an issue post-pandemic as childcare providers struggle to meet staffing needs. These factors both play a role when it comes to parents choosing the best option for their kids, with some turning to in-home daycares to fill in the gap. However, some home daycares are unlicensed with little or no regulation.
Zombie Debt: Settled and unearned debts haunt consumer credit reports for years 3o292p
Imagine paying your debt and having it disappear from your credit report, only to see it resurrected years later haunting your credit score. It’s called “zombie debt”, and while it may sound like a term out of a horror film, Jesse James shares his personal story dealing with this issue that plagues consumers, even forcing some to take legal action against collection agencies for debts they’ve already paid.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Online payment plan exponentially expanding, but experts and officials eye more regulation and urge consumer caution 3i76e
“Buy Now, Pay Later” – is a type of short-term loan that has taken the American marketplace by storm. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. consumers borrowed $2 billion via “BNPL” in 2019. In 2021 that number grew by more than 1,000 percent to $24.2 billion. Companies like Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna and PayPal have created these loans for borrowers to purchase everything from high-end electronics and jewelry to everyday staples like groceries and utilities.
Private Practice: Confidential drug and alcohol programs for physicians keep patients in the dark 4u5x1d
Physician health programs across the country are designed as a confidential treatment option for doctors battling addiction. But patient advocates argue they put doctor reputations ahead of a patient's right to know.
Five Star Fakes: Amazon targets social media brokers in attempt to crack down on fake online reviews s2256
According to the World Economic Forum, fake online reviews cost businesses and consumers $152 billion a year. BrightLocal research found 82% of consumers have read a fake review in the last year. Now, one of the largest retailers in the world is fighting back, as Amazon is suing the s of more than 11,000 Facebook Groups.
Five Star Fakes: Small business owners feel big impact from fake online reviews 4x4c2a
In a 2022 study presented to the National Bureau of Economic Research, data showed that phony testimonies cost customers an extra $0.12 cents for each dollar spent – meaning you could spend up to an extra 12 percent because of fake reviews. But fake online reviews don’t always have an immediate financial impact, some small businesses are seeing their reputations damaged from a barrage of untrue testimonials.
Hundreds of service waiting for answers years after filing malpractice claims against military 15x4k
For decades, Supreme Court precedent effectively banned of the military from suing the Department of Defense. In 2019, Congress ed a law that cleared the way for military malpractice claims. Yet few have won their cases.
Ignition: Spontaneous electric vehicle fires prompt recalls, but some owners stalled waiting on repairs 464067
Electric vehicle fires can start when cars are parked or charging, which car safety experts say make them different and more shocking than other car fires. Companies are working on implementing a fix for defective batteries, but it's taking longer than owners would like.
