Search results for "federal agencies" ...

• Mining the web for Data and Stories

  This tipsheet lists valuable online resources including searchable data; downloadable data; advanced search strategies; mapping services.

  Tags: online resources; data; online data; government data; databases; FedStats; Data.gov; USASPending.gov; BRB Publications; OSHA; MSHA; FARS: Federal Railroad Administration; GIS; mapping; census; Environmental Protection Agency; Federal Aviation Administration;

  By Ted Mellnik

  2010

• Investigative Business Journalism

  Cohn's detailed tipsheet discusses investigative tips and techniques for covering foundations, nonprofits and charities with examples of the types of documents and resources critical to this type of reporting - from 990s to human sources. Part 2 of the tipsheet explores investigations of private companies.

  Tags: nonprofit; charity; foundation; private business; Internal Revenue Service; IRS; Form 990; 990s; consolidated financial statements; civil court; criminal court; federal agencies; FOIA

  By Gary Cohn

  2010

• Hidden crimes: UCR data, and what’s not there

  This tipsheet addresses use of the Uniform Crime Reports, pointing out it "is only as good as the agencies that report data. Police in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta and St. Louis have been caught hiding crimes to make the cities look safer than they really were." Fazlollah addresses how to spot problems with the data.

  Tags: Federal Bureau of investigations; FBI; Uniform Crime Reports; UCR; statistcs; crime reporting; advanced techniques

  By Mark Fazlollah

  2009

• Public Information 101: How to obtain public records to hold government accountable

  A short tipsheet on the Freedom of Information Act as it applies to federal agencies. Hall also includes details about the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and 10 survival tips for journalists.

  Tags: FOIA; Illinois; watchdog; government; state government; federal government; agencies

  By Andy Hall

  2008

• Open Records: Turned Down. Now What?

  LaFleur offers advice to reporters facing public records challenges. Her tips include requesting records ahead of time and knowing which federal agencies are covered by FOIA. The tipsheet also discusses FOIA exemptions and HIPPA. Finally, LaFleur lists resources to help reporters negotiate for public records.

  Tags: FOIA; open records; public records; federal government

  By Jennifer LaFleur

  2008

• Data Before and After a Disaster

  Heath lists and describes different federal programs that provide financial assistance after a natural disaster. He discusses where to get records of each program's spending, and how to best incorporate that information into a CAR story. Heath also describes the programs used by federal agencies to run simulations and assess potential damage; most of those programs are available for free and could be useful for reporters covering a recent disaster.

  Tags: natural disaster; FEMA; forest service; demographics; geophysical data; SBA loans; flood insurance; housing assistance

  By Brad Heath

  2008

• Investigating Public-Private Partnerships

  "Education programs such as preschool that are outsourced to private businesses or non-profits agencies using public funds- state, federal or local tax dollars- are worth a closer look."

  Tags: education; business; school; preschool; funding; state; federal

  By Kathleen Carroll

  2007

• Investigating the Aftermath of Disasters

  Kestin explains how she and other reporters at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel discovered and revealed $530 million in fraud and waste in FEMA disaster aid nationwide. She provides an overview of FEMA and tells reporters covering disaster stories what things they should be looking for. Kestin also provides a list of sources for these types of stories.

  Tags: natural disasters; FEMA; Hurricane Katrina; fraud; federal agencies

  By Sally Kestin

  2006

• Sexier Than You Think: Investigating Electric Utilities

  Jaquiss provides a list of tips for reporters who are covering utility companies and explains how to find sources and appropriate documents. He also gives information on potential conflicts between consumers and shareholders.

  Tags: energy; Energy Information Agency; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; investigations; electric utilities

  By Nigel Jaquiss

  2006

• Battling the VA

  This tipsheet is a good guide for reporters preparing to investigate the VA. Adams discusses how the agency is structured, as well as what to expect when submitting FOIA requests to the agency. The tipsheet includes information on alternative ways to find VA data, such as specific websites to visit where some of the data is available. The tipsheet ends with an article from the IRE Journal on the same topic.

  Tags: veterans; data negotiation; freedom of information; health care; Veterans Health Administration; Veterans Benefits Administration; federal government

  By Chris Adams

  2006