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Category Archives: Backgrounding for News Stories
Jul
31
Minnesota Association publishes quick ways to find helpful crime and safety information
Sometimes I stumble on amazing websites. If you cover crime and safety or do investigative work, I just found a great directory of resources. Check out this long list of helpful websites, Investigator’s Links, from the Minnesota Coroners’ & Medical … Read More →
Jul
27
How to Track Product Recalls
The government has made it easy — bet you don’t see those words too often! Easy to find out government recalls. One site, Recalls.gov, encompasses six federal agencies listing recalls ranging from food to tires to cosmetics. You can search by topic: … Read More →
Jul
09
Best Help for Media Law Questions
The next time you need a legal primer or have a question about your legal rights — access to private property, juvenile justice or taping phone calls –be sure to check out the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. … Read More →
Jun
27
Find Public Records for Free
Before you pay for public records online, be sure to check out the option that some of what you want may be available for free. I wish that all states put records on free in an easy-to-find way, but that’s … Read More →
May
25
Use Kaiser Health News For Story Ideas
Memorial Day brings thoughts of veterans and I was surprised to read in Kaiser Health News (KHN) today that 10 percent of veterans under 65 go without health insurance. They’re not getting help through the Veterans Administration and they account for … Read More →
May
08
If A Plane Crashes — Be Ready!
More than 470 people died in airline accidents in 2010, the latest year for which the National Transportation Safety Board reports. That’s many fewer lives than are killed each year on highways, nearly 33,000. Still, you’ll probably have an airline … Read More →
Apr
30
Tracking Campaign Finance — and More
Part of a series on how databases can add value to daily news stories. Have you heard the political drumbeat? The national presidential race appears down to two contendors. U.S. Senate campaigns are likely in full swing. And in some … Read More →
Apr
23
Database Quickies: Property Records
Part of a series on databases that add value to a daily story. A well-known person in our area, under federal investigation, suddenly put his house up for sale. It became a page 1 story in the local paper, with details … Read More →
Apr
19
Database Quickies: Corporation Filings to SEC
Part of a series on databases that add value to a daily story. An international company with a small plant aways from where I live announced it is closing that facility and laying off 150 employees. The closure, in a small … Read More →
Apr
17
Database Quickies: Census
Start of a series on databases accessible quickly to add value to a daily story. I’ve just finished teaching students about databases that can be accessed quickly and can make a story stronger with context or a take-away fact. Reporters, … Read More →