The early bird deadline for 
Posts by Alena Rehberger
Database quantifies wasted natural gas from Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas
An interactive map shows how the volume of flared gas in Texas counties has increased over time – especially in the Eagle Ford Shale. By John Tedesco, San Antonio Express-News The energy boom that’s showering rural South Texas with money is also wasting an irreplaceable natural resource. Drive through the bustling oil patch of the…
Read MoreEnter your best investigative work in the 2014 IRE Awards
It’s that time of year again – time to consider entering your best work into the IRE Awards. Among the most prestigious in journalism, the IRE Awards recognize outstanding investigative reporting across all media. Eligible entries must have been published or aired between January 1 and December 31, 2014. The deadline for submissions is January…
Read MoreFinalists selected, second round of voting begins for 2015 NICAR T-shirt
Thanks to everyone who voted for the 2015 CAR Conference T-shirt. We had such a close race for first place that we’ve decided to hold a second round of voting limited to the four shirts that received the most votes. You have until Sunday, December 14 to vote for your favorite design. FINALISTS Entry 4: …
Read MoreStory Shorts goes behind the scenes with NBC Bay Area
A tip from a source prompted the NBC Bay Area team to launch a major investigation into Sysco Corporation, the world’s largest food distributor. Using a wide variety of cameras and surveillance techniques, the station exposed the company’s dangerous practice of storing fresh food in unrefrigerated storage sheds. The food was then delivered to restaurants, hotels,…
Read MoreSenator puts hold on widely supported FOIA bill
A bill designed to improve the way the federal government handles an increasing load of FOIA requests – a bill that had gained bipartisan support – could be dying after a senator blocked the legislation. The FOIA Improvement Act of 2014 would “create a pathway for the federal government to modernize the administration of FOIA”…
Read MoreIRE collaborates with Pew Research Center on electronic security survey
IRE is working in partnership with the Pew Research Center to survey investigative journalists – including many IRE members – about challenges and concerns surrounding electronic surveillance, digital privacy and protections for investigative journalism in the U.S. today. The survey is confidential, and selected participants will receive an invitation via email. Findings will be available…
Read MoreWe’re taking your questions in the next issue of the IRE Journal
Have a question for IRE? Now’s the time to have it answered with the Journal’s new feature “Ask IRE.” This is your organization. Ask about anything from policies to resources to ethical dilemmas. It will be featured in the upcoming Journal issue. Send us your questions by the end of the day Friday, December 5.…
Read MoreLearn about Tapestry, the data storytelling conference
Heading to NICAR 2015? Consider coming early for Tapestry, the data storytelling conference. Tapestry is a one-day, invitation-only conference that brings together journalists, academics and designers to discuss the evolving field of data storytelling. This year’s event includes keynotes by Hannah Fairfield of the New York Times, Kim Rees of Periscopic: Do Good With Data, and Michael…
Read MoreAudio from 2014 Watchdog Workshops now available for download
Participants at the Jacksonville Watchdog Workshop. (Photo courtesy of Tracey Eaton) Couldn’t make it to one of our Watchdog Workshops this year? We recorded audio from many of our panels and, thanks to a generous grant from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation, have made it available for download online. We have recordings from…
Read MoreUpdated data on home mortgage applications now available from NICAR
The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) database has just been updated in the NICAR Data Library. Loan application records for 2013 are now available. What’s in it? This Act requires all banks, savings and loans, savings banks and credit unions with assets of more than $33 million and offices in metropolitan areas to report mortgage…
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