What Happened to the News Reporting, Plus ATF Raid

What Happened to the News Reporting, Plus ATF Raid In Waco and More? Parole Board Bombshell, and the State of Journalism. What happened to investigative journalism? That’s a question that continues to resonate as modern newsrooms struggle under financial constraints and shifting priorities. Legendary investigative journalist Robert Riggs believes this critical form of journalism is fading fast in the U.S. His thoughts on this topic, paired with his groundbreaking coverage of the 1993 ATF raid in Waco and the corruption scandal involving the Texas Parole Board, highlight how far news reporting has evolved—and why it matters. Check out and follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms.   

Robert Riggs a semi-retired Investigative Journalist and host of the True Crime Reporter® Podcast is our guest. Listen to the interview with Robert as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, also available on Apple, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.

The Decline of Investigative Journalism  

Investigative journalism, often called "watchdog reporting," requires time, resources, and a commitment to exposing wrongdoing. Unfortunately, the financial realities of today’s media landscape have made this increasingly rare. Riggs points to the rise of legal fears and the preference for sensational opinion pieces as the death knell for many American news outlets’ investigative efforts. 

Traditionally spearheaded by newspapers and freelancers, investigative work is expensive and time-consuming. With the decline in advertising revenue, many outlets have cut back, leaving only nonprofit organizations like ProPublica or international collaborations (e.g., the Panama Papers) to fill the gap. This lack of funding has diminished the public's access to deeply researched, fact-based stories. What Happened to the News Reporting? Look for more stories about this in platforms like Medium and Newsbreak.

Riggs on the ATF Raid in Waco: A Journalist’s Perspective  

Few events showcase the power of investigative journalism better than the 1993 ATF raid on the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas. Robert Riggs was on the ground, covering the harrowing 51-day siege that ended in tragedy with a fiery explosion and the deaths of nearly 80 people, including 22 children.  

The raid began on February 28, 1993, when 70 agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) attempted to serve search and arrest warrants. They were met with gunfire from inside the compound, reportedly involving illegal machine guns. The resulting two-hour gun battle left four federal agents and six Davidians dead, with many others wounded.  The interview with here is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show, which is available as a free podcast on their website on platforms like Apple, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.

The cult's leader, David Koresh, claimed to be the spiritual heir to King David and preached apocalyptic visions based on the Book of Revelation. As Riggs reported dur