Investigative Journalist in Houston, Texas
One of the interesting things about journalism is you learn something new every day. And this odd story definitely qualifies. Jarrette Schule found what appears to be an anti-tank missile launcher on his rural property in the Hill Country. When I visited Jarrette and saw the missile launcher, I realized I would have to try …
It seems like every week someone in the media is complaining about Twitter and trivial tweets. The naysayers are probably not following the right people (if they’re following anyone at all). One way to find interesting people on Twitter who share your interests is by using a URL shortening service. Most Web addresses are too …
Whenever a real estate developer bulldozes majestic oaks or paves over environmentally sensitive land on the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, it’s usually because he has “vested rights.” He’s grandfathered from city codes, and he can do whatever he wants on a property. But sometimes trees are cut down not because of vested rights, but because …
What others are saying about watchdog journalism: Search Engine Land: Danny Sullivan interviews Google CEO Eric Schmidt about the future of newspapers and journalism. “Well-funded, targeted professionally managed investigative journalism is a necessary precondition in my view to a functioning democracy. And so that’s what we worry about.” Center for the Future of Museums: Interesting …
This is a cool tool for history buffs: Google unveiled a vast, searchable archive of Life Magazine for all 1,860 issues from 1936 to 1972. Run a search for “San Antonio” and you’ll find all kinds of stories and photos: A 1938 feature story about Thomas Jefferson High School, with photos of its ROTC classes …
We’ve all heard of ambulance-chasing lawyers who prey on vulnerable accident victims to get their business. But how exactly do these lawyers get around anti-barratry laws? Who’s doing it? And who gets hurt? Investigative reporter John MacCormack wrote an intriguing story that dives into the shady world of ambulance chasing. He names names and explains …
There’s more news, interviews and criticism this week about the Texas Tribune, an ambitious nonprofit news site led by former Texas Monthly editor Evan Smith and venture capitalist John Thornton: The Tribune announced today that it received a $750,000 grant from the Houston Endowment and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; Mallary Jean …
Scott Huddleston continues to dig up interesting stories about the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the caretakers of the Alamo. In today’s story, Scott looked at how the nonprofit organization spends proceeds from the sale of Texas license plates. Scott discovered the Alamo isn’t getting a very big cut: Since the sale of the …
What others are saying about watchdog journalism: Reflections of a Newsosaur: Alan Mutter offers fresh details about the most ambitious nonprofit Web site in the United States that focuses on local news. U.S. Congress: Lawmakers hold hearing on saving newspapers — newspapers say, don’t give us stimulus money. Safety Net: Is Spot.Us the future of …
The San Antonio Express-News has been delving into many story angles about the proposed expansion of the South Texas Project nuclear plant near Bay City. CPS Energy wants to invest more than $5 billion for two new reactors, which has touched off a heated debate in San Antonio. For today’s story about nuclear safety, I …