Posted on Mon, Oct. 22, 2007

Mike Casey, 55, is a projects reporter and an 11-year veteran of The Star. His recent stories have included investigations of the insurance industry, nursing homes, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Contact him at 816-234-4305 or mcasey@kcstar.com.

Rick Montgomery, 47, writes on a variety of national issues and has been at The Star for 21 years. Recent stories have included a series comparing efficiency levels in area governments. Contact him at 816-234-4410 or rmontgomery@kcstar.com.

Jim Barcus, 37, is a photojournalist for The Star. While with The Star he has photographed warlords in Afghanistan and made two trips to Iraq to embed with U.S. troops.

The “Fatal Failures” stories were edited by Bill Dalton, Enterprise/Projects Editor. Contact him at 816-234-4919 or bdalton@kcstar.com.

Noah Musser produced the graphics, Charles Gooch designed the pages, and Kerry Schmidt was the copy editor.