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IN THE NEWS: IRE and NICAR offer data, stories and tipsheets to help cover the latest
Other resources for covering the news
New York Transit Strike
(Dec. 20, 2005)
Databases
Small Business Administration loans: As small businesses hit a crucial shopping time in the U.S. economy, the New York transit strike could cause a major disruption of commerce. The
SBA could be a major backer for recovery funds. The database of SBA loans includes business name, type, amount and date, plus information about the lender of the loan, guaranteed by the SBA.
Fatality Analysis Reporting System: With the possibility of more cars on the roads, more accidents are likely to follow. The database of fatal accidents can find patterns of crashes on commuting routes across the United States.
To order the data, call the Database Library at 573-884-7711 or download an order form.
Stories
To order stories from the IRE Resource Center, send e-mail to rescntr@ire.org or call us at 573-882-3364.
Story 15221: WTXF-Philadelphia
After transit union strike crippled Philadelphia's bus and subway service for forty days, WTXF investigated the region's transportation agency — Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. SEPTA is one of the largest and most expensive transit systems in the county. This investigation exposed a widespread culture of laziness and dishonest work habits that was allowing hundreds of buses with potentially dangerous problems out onto the street each day. (1998)
Story 17153: The Center for Public Integrity
This series of articles, "Money, Influence and Integrity in the 2000 Election Year," looked into the 2000 election. The investigation reveals "that in Delaware, a group of state legislators and elected officials from Wilmington used an elaborate scheme to illegally direct public transportation money to political allies and organizations that supported them." (2000)
Story 20071: The Wall Street Journal
Jeffrey Ball; Glenn Burkins; Gregory L. White of The Journal report on the decline in the number of strikes and union protests in the 1980s and 1990s. "...For many unions, using the sword can get a lot of people hurt — starting with union members. The calculus of labor relations is indeed different these days. Workers have become shareholders. Technology and globalization can put jobs at risk even when a union has "job security" written into its contract." (1999)
Search for more stories in IRE's Resource Center.
Tipsheets
To order tipsheets from the IRE Resource Center, send e-mail to rescntr@ire.org or call us at 573-882-3364.
Covering Local Government
Tipsheet 2229: "Six key records for the Local Government Beat" (Michael Mansur, The Kansas City Star, 2004) From payroll to city property, Mansur lists six records every reporter covering the local government beat should obtain.
Tipsheet 2079: "State Data: Making it Work for You" (Kevin Corcoran, The Indianapolis Star, 2004) Provides a great list of useful Web sites where you can find information and databases on state and local government (taxes, finances, salaries, etc.). This tipsheet also has examples on how to analyze databases (campaign finance, property taxes, etc.) by making spreadsheets. It also provides tips on how to get started on making spreadsheets as well as obtaining data.
Tipsheet 2254: "Investigating State and Local Government" (Michele McNeil Solida, The Indianapolis Star, 2004) This tipsheet lists a number of key documents that are useful for reporters wanting to investigate state and local government. The author also lists Web sites and story ideas.
Tipsheet 1756: "Local Government Investigations" (Scott Higham, The Washington Post, 2002) 10 tips and hints on doing investigations on local government.
Tipsheet 2472: "Tips on City Hall Beat Reporting" (Kevin Flowers, Erie Times-News) The basics of local government reporting. He suggests knowing agendas, learning how your government works and making friends who are familiar with the inner workings of the city. He also gives hints on getting FOI requests filled and how to spot a good story.
Tipsheet 1087: "Investigating Local Government" (Andy Ross, San Francisco Chronicle, 1999) This tipsheet is a story from the Jan. 17, 1997, San Francisco Chronicle about a one-year anniversary party held for the mayor by an ex-felon.
Tipsheet 1740: "Investigating local government: from document to methods" (Kathy Mulady, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 2002) How to investigate local government: request expenses, meet the friends, know the neighbors, go to meetings and request information.
Tipsheet 1837: "Finding Waste and Corruption in Local Government" (David Knox, Akron Beacon Journal, 2003) This tipsheet explains how to obtain and use sources, documents and data to investigate state and local government. It also discusses using FOI and open records requests every day.
Tipsheet 1816: "Investigating state and local government" (Hank Shaw, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2003) Hank Shaw of the St. Paul Pioneer Press lists the top 10 databases you need to have on your computer if you cover government. The handout also includes six major topics for investigations on the beat.
Small Business Loans
Tipsheet 33: "Financial Industry Information" (Mary Fricker, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 1992) This handout is
packed with info on investigating insurance companies, pension funds, savings and loans, banks, credit unions, land trusts, pyramid schemes, bankruptcy court, Small Business Administration. Also includes business sources, advice on reading financial reports and warning signs that indicate an ailing institution.
Search for more tipsheets in IRE's Resource Center.
IRE Publications
The Investigative Reporter's Handbook, Brant Houston's Computer-Assisted Reporting book and other helpful publications are available from IRE and NICAR.
Chapter 18 of The Investigative Reporter's Handbook covers "Investigating Transportation," including buses, railroads and mass transit. Chapter 12 is about investigating businesses, including sections about labor unions and mediation, conciliation and arbitration.
Computer-Assisted Reporting offers guidance in using databases to report on a wide range of stories.
IRE members can search the indexes of The IRE
Journal and Uplink. Back issues of The IRE Journal and Uplink may be purchased for $10 each. There is
an additional $10 user fee for nonmembers. Check with the Resource Center at 573-882-3364 or
rescntr@ire.org for availability.
Web Links
| For
more information, contact: |
Jeff Porter
Database Library Director
IRE and NICAR
E-mail: jeff@ire.org
Voice: 573-882-1982
Fax: 573-882-5431 |
Beth Kopine
Research Director
IRE Resource Center
E-mail: beth@ire.org
Voice: 573-882-6668
Fax: 573-884-8151 |
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