Behind the Investigation with Atlanta News First

The DeKalb County School District paid more than $34,000 in taxpayer funds for former Superintendent Devon Horton – now under federal indictments - to attend conferences, seminars, and meetings across the country during his two-year tenure. 

More than a dozen Georgia homeowners are accusing D.R. Horton, one of the nation’s largest home builders, of selling them houses with defective plumbing that has repeatedly failed and caused water damage, according to a pending arbitration complaint reviewed by Atlanta News First Investigates.

Clayton County police detectives are investigating a woman for allegedly impersonating a state housing employee.

Anastassia Olmos, investigative reporter with Atlanta News First, talks with the IRS about what pyramid and Ponzi schemes are all about, and how to avoid them.

Atlanta News First investigative reporter Anastassia Olmos talks with the IRS about what to watch out for in some of today's common healthcare scams.

Anastassia Olmos, investigative reporter with Atlanta News First, talks with the IRS about what you need to know about the day after April 15.

The most comprehensive homeowners association oversight bill in Georgia history is on its way to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk, and lawmakers credit Atlanta News First Investigates’ series, HOA Nightmares, for uncovering the lack of oversight for HOAs across the state. 

But at the same time, controversies over HOAs remain, especially in this one community where a $5.1 million water bill remains unpaid, along with a $24,000 trash bill.

An Atlanta actress is asking to be removed from an upcoming film after claiming the production company filmed her nude without her permission, allegedly violating her contract that specified only implied nudity.

Across the country, fire departments are waiting years for new trucks. The trucks they already have are breaking down with no replacement parts available. Communities are losing fire protection entirely, and the price of a single fire engine has risen 64% in four years. The shortage is real. It is national. And it is getting worse.

Disabled passengers say transportation lifeline is broken while data shows success.

A metro Atlanta renter says her apartment has rats eating the floorboards, sewage spewing fecal matter in the backyard, and no heat as winter continues in Georgia.

As myopia rates surge in children, Georgia lawmakers are pushing a vision screening bill.

A metro Atlanta single mother said background check errors cost her a six-figure job and now she’s at risk of losing her home. Full investigation here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2026/02/05/single-mom-loses-six-figure-job-after-alleged-background-check-errors/

A new study reveals Georgia is among the states hit hard by pediatric hospital care decline.

Full investigation here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2026/01/15/nearly-40-georgia-counties-now-have-no-pediatrician/

One in four adults in the U.S. are caregiving for a loved one, according to data from the National Alliance for Caregiving.

Full investigation here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2026/01/15/federal-budget-cuts-threaten-dementia-research-georgia-families-struggle-with-care-costs/

A metro Atlanta woman paid thousands of dollars to a debt relief company, only to discover most of her money went toward fees rather than paying down her debt. The woman, who asked not to be identified by name, paid $7,700 to Chicago-based Turnbull Law Group over several months. Of that amount, the firm collected around $6,600 as fees, according to invoices reviewed by Atlanta News First Investigates.

Harry Samler, better known as Better Call Harry, talks about his investigation with fellow investigative reporter Ciara Cummings.

Full investigation here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/12/30/metro-atlanta-woman-pays-thousands-debt-relief-law-firm/

A metro Atlanta renter recently found out her heater has been blowing fecal matter into her home, after battling with her landlord over a sewage back-up for more than a year.

“We shouldn’t be living like this,” Tiarra Logan said. 

Full investigation here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/12/12/metro-atlanta-renter-discovers-heater-blowing-fecal-matter-into-home/

Atlanta News First Chief Investigator Brendan Keefe takes you behind his investigation into a shocking case of alleged burglary and stalking on the campus of the University of Georgia.

Watch and read his full investigation here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2026/02/05/uga-students-living-fear-after-maintenance-worker-arrested-burglary-stalking/

“Be governed accordingly!” is the haunting message Marietta homeowner Danielle Reyes received from the lawyer representing her community’s homeowner’s association.

A federal wrongful death lawsuit filed against DeKalb County jail personnel, the county’s former medical provider, and others allege an inmate died from hypothermia after jail staff repeatedly ignored his pleas for help.

Senior citizens thought they were buying their forever homes in a retirement community in Conyers, but now claim the builder broke promises and refused to let them take control of their HOA.