Jeff Brady
Jeff Brady is a National Desk Correspondent based in Philadelphia, where he covers energy issues and climate change. Brady helped establish NPR's environment and energy collaborative which brings together NPR and Member station reporters from across the country to cover the big stories involving the natural world.
Brady approaches stories from the consumer side of the light switch and the gas pump in an effort to demystify an energy system that can seem complicated and opaque. Brady has reported on natural gas utilities fighting to preserve their business in a world more concerned about climate change, the long saga over the Keystone XL oil pipeline, the closing of a light bulb factory in Pennsylvania and how gas ranges pollute homes and make climate change worse.
In 2017 his reporting showed a history of racism and sexism that have made it difficult for the oil business to diversify its workforce. A union at the center of that reporting now faces a class-action lawsuit from its Black members.
In 2011 Brady led NPR's coverage of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal at Penn State—from the night legendary football coach Joe Paterno was fired to the trial where Sandusky was found guilty.
In 2005, Brady was among the NPR reporters who covered the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. His reporting on flooded cars left behind after the storm exposed efforts to stall the implementation of a national car titling system. Today, the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is operational and the Department of Justice estimates it could save car buyers up to $11 billion a year.
Before coming to NPR in September 2003, Brady was a reporter at Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) in Portland. He has also worked in commercial television as an anchor and a reporter, and in commercial radio as a talk-show host and reporter.
Brady graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Southern Oregon State College (now Southern Oregon University). In 2018 SOU honored Brady with its annual "Distinguished Alumni" award.
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The tax overhaul limits the amount of state and local taxes deductible on federal returns. The IRS says taxes can be prepaid and deducted if they are levied in 2017 and paid by Dec. 31. -
A Pennsylvania grand jury has issued a scathing report about Pennsylvania State University's failed oversight of campus Greek organizations. The report follows the hazing death of a 19-year-old pledge in February.
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Researchers say there's huge potential for harnessing ocean waves to create electricity. The Energy Department is backing one effort in Oregon. -
The business wants to attract more women and minorities, but a history of racism and sexism makes that difficult. -
Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault lost a re-election bid after a controversial campaign to block the Dakota Access Pipeline. -
The administration has waived the Jones Act for Puerto Rico. Under the law, only U.S.-flagged ships are allowed to move goods between U.S. ports. -
While Corpus Christi and the surrounding area got the brunt of the Hurricane Harvey, Houston received heavy rain and strong winds. Homes were damaged and there's been some minor flooding so far.
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A controversial Energy Department report says the U.S. power grid could become less reliable if too much electricity comes from renewable energy and natural gas. Environmentalists doubt the report. -
Logging and fishing once dominated the economy in rural Gold Beach, Oregon. NPR's Jeff Brady returned to his hometown, finding a new focus on tourism and other pursuits. -
Changes to building codes in some U.S. jurisdictions may allow the use of siding similar to that of Grenfell Tower in London. A fire at the apartment building killed at least 79 people last week.
