Paper Trail

ProPublica•play.prx.org

Investigative reporters at ProPublica chase down evidence of wrongdoing and bring it to light. That evidence can be on paper — or on thumb drives, in secret recordings, from conversations with whistleblowers. Each episode, you’ll ride along as we talk to reporters and their sources, uncover hidden facts and show you the receipts. When we publish what we find, things can change. Laws are passed, corrupt leaders fall, innocent people walk out of prison and sometimes a life is even saved. Investigative reporter Jessica Lussenhop is your guide.

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Last refreshed: June 25th, 2026 at 9:33 AM

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Episodes

Should People Who Killed Their Abusers Walk Free?

In 2024, Oklahoma legislators passed an unusual law: It would create a pathway to freedom for people who could prove that domestic violence was a substantial contributing factor to their crime — even if that crime was first-degree murder. Members of a “survivor sisterhood” who’d found a connection in their shared histories of abuse hoped that, perhaps, they would all soon be going home. But, as reporter Pamela Colloff discovered, nothing would play out as expected. Reporter: Pamela Colloff Read ...

Jun 25, 2026•39 min

How a 25-Cent Pill Became a Hundred-Billion-Dollar Business

Reporter David Armstrong, diagnosed with multiple myeloma, discovered his life-saving drug, Revlimid, cost nearly $1,000 per pill, despite costing only 25 cents to manufacture. His investigation reveals how its maker, Celgene, amassed billions by aggressively hiking prices and blocking generic competition for years. This episode explores the systemic flaws in a lightly regulated pharmaceutical industry that prioritizes profit over patient access, leading to astronomical healthcare costs and dire consequences for those who cannot afford essential medicines.

Jun 11, 2026•41 min

How to Fight a Health Insurance Denial With a Little-Known Tool

This episode details Teresa's harrowing fight against her health insurance company, HighMark Blue Cross Blue Shield, after they denied coverage for her husband Elle's critical mental health treatment following two suicide attempts. Despite meticulous documentation and countless roadblocks, Teresa uncovered a little-known tool: the external review. Her case was eventually approved by an empathetic independent reviewer, Dr. Neil Goldenberg, highlighting both the system's flaws and the power of persistence.

May 28, 2026•39 min

How to Lose a Car in 15 Days

ProPublica and The Connecticut Mirror investigated a loophole in a century-old state law that enabled towing companies to sell cars, sometimes in just 15 days, often for profit and without notifying owners. Reporters uncovered a corrupt DMV employee facilitating a car-flipping scheme and discovered that the DMV and state failed to ensure due process or return surplus funds to car owners. Their reporting led to swift legislative reform, overhauling Connecticut's towing statutes and introducing crucial protections for car owners.

May 21, 2026•42 min

What the FDA Won’t Tell You About Your Medications

This episode reveals ProPublica's two-year investigation into the FDA's regulation of generic drugs, exposing horrific conditions and manipulated testing in overseas factories. Despite these findings, the FDA secretly granted exemptions to problematic manufacturers to prevent drug shortages, withholding crucial information from the public. The reporting highlights tragic patient stories and prompts congressional action, leading to tools like the RX Inspector to empower consumers.

May 14, 2026•39 min

Introducing “Paper Trail”

In this introductory episode, host Jessica Lussenhop recounts a profound personal experience where her investigative reporting helped free a man wrongly imprisoned after a government oversight. This powerful anecdote illustrates the core mission of ProPublica, an independent, non-profit newsroom dedicated to uncovering corruption and abuse of power. The episode emphasizes how their work, by revealing the truth, leads to public awareness, policy changes, and holds powerful figures accountable, demonstrating that investigative journalism is an act of optimism.

May 07, 2026•5 min

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