Ralph Chapoco - reporter

09/12/2023

A story that I have worked on for months. Please take a read.

Fines and fines are unreliable, fall heaviest on the poor and don't always provide adequate funding. Why does Alabama depend on them?

05/09/2023

Read all about it: People with a criminal history have a hard time getting their voting rights back.

Alabama is one of 11 states that keeps voting restrictions in place even after a person completes a sentence.

04/19/2023

People, if given a true chance, can turn their lives around!

Coseen Smith walked into the day reporting center sharply dressed, wearing a striped blue dress shirt with a gray formal jacket and black slacks, displaying self-ease and a quiet confidence. It gave no sign of his tumultuous past. Smith, 43, has spent much of his adult life cycling in and out of the...

04/19/2023

Read all about it: You can be thought of being in a gang just by the clothes that you wear.

The bill would allow parents or informants to identify people as gang members, and increase penalties for gang-related activity.

04/19/2023

Read all about it: One of the more important stories I have written in quite some time.

Coseen Smith walked into the day reporting center sharply dressed, wearing a striped blue dress shirt with a gray formal jacket and black slacks, displaying self-ease and a quiet confidence. It gave no sign of his tumultuous past. Smith, 43, has spent much of his adult life cycling in and out of the...

04/17/2023

Read all about it: Gathering to support inmate on death row draws more than 400 people.

Attorneys for Johnson, convicted of the 1995 murder of a deputy, say prosecutors withheld evidence that could have impeached a key witness.

04/16/2023

Read all about it: Mass shooting in Alabama.

At least four people were killed in a shooting at a dance studio on Saturday night. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating.

04/15/2023

The show, organized by six state agencies, is part of a month-long event on rehabilitation efforts in the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.

04/15/2023

Read all about it: Former and current prisoners show their artistic talent.

The show, organized by six state agencies, is part of a month-long event on rehabilitation efforts in the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.

04/13/2023

Hi everyone, I have moved jobs. I will be reporting on Alabama state politics and policy issues focusing on criminal justice. For those of you who are interested, please follow. My new email address is [email protected]

08/10/2022

One of the most important stories I have written thus far.

Read all about it: Supervisor of Elections Lori Scott pressured to 'fix' and publish voter registration rolls

Election experts claim the 2020 election was one of the most secure in the country's history

08/05/2022

For one tough day, this is where I draw inspiration!

PANOORIN: Ngayong , nagsama-sama ang mga community reporters, campus journalists, at content creators mula sa FYT, LYF, Barangayhub, at ...

06/24/2022

And with that ... Roe v Wade is no more. A landmark decision, and a new reality for many.

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/06/24/supreme-court-abortion-mississippi-roe-wade-decision/9357361002/?csp=chromepush

06/21/2022

I have the worse timing. I should have waited 20 years to graduate from college! 😀

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/06/21/college-grads-job-market-labor-shortages/7614792001/

05/31/2022

And here we go with hurricane season!

A tropical depression could develop later this week. Heavy rainfall could spread across South Florida and the Florida Keys by the end of the week.

04/09/2022

I won an award...so thrilled!

03/23/2022

One of the stories I am most proud of to date.

Read all about it: Homeless woman confronts county about the law they want to pass.

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2022/03/23/brevard-commission-warned-against-panhandling-ban-homeless-person/7140807001/

The proposed ordinance will be advertised to allow the public to weigh in

01/29/2022

The biography of your friendly neighborhood reporter for Florida Today. Enjoy! If you have any questions for me please feel free to reach out at [email protected]. Follow me on Twitter as well .

https://sports.yahoo.com/government-politics-reporter-joins-florida-120230220.html

Chapoco will focus on everything from regulation to how elections are funded to the main hot button issues facing Brevard's leaders.

01/26/2022

Read all about it: Brevard County Commissioners reverse decision regarding rental aid eligibility.

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2022/01/26/modification-makes-imore/9201448002/

County Commissioners reversed a decision made months ago to deny COVID-19 rental assistance to people involved in litigation with the county.

01/26/2022

First story for Florida Today: Here is to more!!!

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2022/01/25/sen-rick-scott-pays-visit-brevard-gop-faithful/9202105002/?fbclid=IwAR2Yiw2WWmfXUXfEeeWnnTOTU6kUSFWNnrYRb-sV47543GxvbKqqxPvyv8U

Sen. Rick Scott was the keynote speaker at a local Republican party event Friday and a he gave the crowd plenty to chew on besides their hor d'oeuvres.

11/08/2021

Read all about it!!! Story number 2 in the two part series. Courtesy of the housing team at The Arizona Republic.

https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona/2021/11/08/arizona-constables-disciplined-poor-driving-bad-behavior/6057338001/

Arizona constables have gotten in trouble for excessive speeding, damaging government vehicles, impersonating police officers and public urination.

11/08/2021

Read all about it!!! The latest from the housing team that I am a part of.

https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona/2021/11/08/arizona-board-close-ties-landlords-oversees-constables/6024875001/

Arizona's elected constables play a key role during the eviction process. Yet they are overseen by a state board with close ties to a landlord group.

09/11/2021

For any of you journalists out there following my page ... food for thought.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/journalism-schools-leave-graduates-with-hefty-student-loans-11631275201

Many students leave even the most prestigious private graduate programs, such as those at Northwestern, Columbia and USC, with earnings too low to let them make progress paying off their debt, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis.

07/23/2021

This is mandatory reading for my followers. :-).

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/21/magazine/i-just-learned-i-only-have-months-live-this-is-what-i-want-say/?utm_source=pocket-newtab

I’ve been a journalist for more than 60 years. So after doctors delivered the news, I sat down to do what came naturally, if painfully: Write this story.

06/18/2021

Alas, the final article in the pandemic eviction series. Long and arduous, but totally worth it. Total team effort. Read, like and share will ya!!! As one ends, we are laying the groundwork for the next set. Stay tuned.

https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/money/business/consumers/2021/06/17/metro-phoenix-zip-codes-have-most-eviction-filings-covid-19-pandemic/4895699001/

Evictions in metro Phoenix are concentrated in lower-income neighborhoods near job hubs, freeways and mass transit, according to an analysis.

06/18/2021

Looks like it is your turn to learn more about me!!!

Reporters are not really part of The Arizona Republic until they get their biography published -- well check that one of the list!

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/arizona-republic/2021/06/08/ralph-chapoco-joins-republic-cover-housing-insecurity/7534381002/

Ralph Chapoco joined The Republic in January 2021 as a data-focused news reporter covering housing and housing insecurity issues.

06/17/2021

Third story in the series about people getting evicted during the pandemic. Read, like and share please! Enjoy!

https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/money/business/consumers/2021/06/17/metro-phoenix-apartment-complexes-most-evictions/4880291001/

Most of the five apartments with the most eviction filings in Maricopa County during the pandemic are in Phoenix's affordable Maryvale neighborhood.