Sunlight Research Center

Research Guide Database Home (List) | Sunlight Research

📂 From federal records to local documents and open data, our Research Guide makes it easier to uncover what matters. Searchable, filterable, built for reporters.

👉 www.sunlightresearch.net/research-gui...

#Accountability #OpenData #InvestigativeJournalism

🕵️ Reporting during a shutdown? Our Research Guide is your cheat sheet for finding documents and data fast. Filter by topic or resource type and get straight to the facts.

Yellowstone, Grand Teton ordered to remain partly open as government shutdown begins - WyoFile Visitors can use hotels, roads, lookouts, trails, open-air memorials and other sites but there won’t be visitor services, plan states.

🚨 Nearly 2 out of 3 National Park Service staff are being furloughed under the shutdown plan. What does that mean for visitors, wildlife, and local economies in WY?

Read @wyofile.com’s reporting: wyofile.com/yellowstone-...

#PublicLands #Journalism

🔎Sunlight Member Spotlight 🔎
🌲 Yellowstone and Grand Teton will stay partly open during the government shutdown. Services will be limited, raising concerns about safety, access, and preservation. 🚧
#NationalParks

Resources | Sunlight Research

✨ Check out Sunlight’s other resources!
👉 www.sunlightresearch.net/resources

#Interviewing #JournalismTools

📝 Sunlight’s Interviewing Tips and Tricks tip sheet, created with with Laurie Cohen, is here to help you strengthen your reporting. From crafting better questions to honing listening skills, these strategies can take your sourcing further.

#Investigative #JournalismTools

Tip Sheet: Interviewing Tips and Tricks This tip sheet includes tips for identifying and interviewing sources from Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, Laurie Cohen.

💬 Last week, Sunlight hosted Jim Mintz for our Turning Strangers into Sources workshop. Once you’ve built trust, how do you interview effectively?

📝 Check out our tip sheet with Laurie Cohen: www.sunlightresearch.net/post/intervi...

#Journalism #Interviewing

Share your tips. Every lead helps to get requests filed and bring more transparency to how police are using AI.

🔗https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2025/sep/09/is-your-police-department-creating-ai-generated-reports/

#AI #FOIA #Policing #Transparency

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MuckRock & EFF are digging into where this tool is being used, but they need your help. Know of a police department or sheriff’s office experimenting with Draft One? Seen records about it?

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🚨 Police departments are starting to use AI tools to generate reports from body camera audio. A new investigation by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) says Axon’s “Draft One” avoids real accountability.

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Workshops | Sunlight Research Center Join Sunlight Research Center for in-depth investigative reporting workshops designed to help journalists build their reporting skillsets.

Don't miss this chance to identify beneficial owners and follow global business footprints wherever they lead! Plus, stick around for office hours after the workshop for expert Q&A. Register now!

#Workshop #ExpertSession #SunlightResearch #GlobalInvestigations #CorporateTransparency

Workshops | Sunlight Research Center Join Sunlight Research Center for in-depth investigative reporting workshops designed to help journalists build their reporting skillsets.

In the workshop you'll learn to: map global corporate structures, uncover cross-border lobbying, connect business to political influence, and more. Practical skills for our complex world!

Check out more workshops: www.sunlightresearch.net/research-tra...
#InvestigativeSkills #FollowTheMoney

Money, Movement, and Misdirection | Sunlight Research Join Sunlight Research Center and Anna Massoglia, Sunlight’s director of investigations, for a hands-on session on tracking the people, money, and networks behind international businesses.

🕵️‍♀️ Join Sunlight Research Center and Anna Massoglia, Sunlight’s Director of Investigations, for "Money, Movement, and Misdirection" on Oct. 31, 12-1 PM EDT! Learn strategies for investigating complex networks and international businesses.

Sign up here: www.sunlightresearch.net/event-detail...

If government business is conducted over text, you have a right to see it. Learn how to request text messages here:
🔗https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2025/jul/15/text-messages-are-public-records-how-do-you-request-them/
#FOIA #PublicRecords #journalism

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The guide covers:
How to phrase and file your request
Where texts might actually be stored
What happens with disappearing messages
How agencies search phones for records

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📱Did you know text messages of public officials can be public records? This MuckRock guide shows how to request them — and why it’s not as simple as asking for emails.
#Transparency #Accountability #MuckRock

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Turning Strangers into Sources | Sunlight Research Join Sunlight Research Center and Jim Mintz, Sunlight’s co-founder, for a practical workshop on one of journalism’s most essential — and under-taught — skills: turning complete strangers into sources ...

🚨 Today is the final day to sign up 🚨

What you’ll learn:
• How to approach strangers in a way that builds trust
• How to turn first contacts into lasting connections
• Why everyday people can become extraordinary sources

Sign up before it’s too late → www.sunlightresearch.net/event-detail...

Learn one of journalism’s most essential but under-taught skills — making cold contacts that turn into trusted sources.

Don’t miss this chance to learn practical skills that elevate your reporting.

Turning Strangers into Sources | Sunlight Research Join Sunlight Research Center and Jim Mintz, Sunlight’s co-founder, for a practical workshop on one of journalism’s most essential — and under-taught — skills: turning complete strangers into sources ...

⏰ Last chance!

Tomorrow is our workshop, Turning Strangers into Sources, with Sunlight’s Co-founder Jim Mintz.

Register today → www.sunlightresearch.net/event-detail...
#workshop #InvestigativeResearch #AccountabilityResearch

MuckRock MuckRock is a collaborative news site that gives you the tools to hold the government accountable.

Want to help sustain this work? You can also donate. Proceeds will support both MuckRock and the TJA, ensuring more transparency and reporting on trans issues.

Donate here → www.muckrock.com/donate/

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Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: MuckRock x TJA FOIAthon. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. MuckRock is partnering with the Trans Journalists Association to uncover, preserve, and encourage reporting on documents and data regarding federal and state actions that impact trans communities. J...

This investigation inspired the upcoming FOIAthon on September 23. Join Dillon Bergin and Tre’vell Anderson to explore the records, ask questions, and file new requests live.

Register here → us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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We’ve obtained documents regarding anti-trans federal policies. Here’s what you need to know. We’ve filed over 260 public records requests for the Trans Journalists Association and MuckRock’s partnership to document the impact of anti-trans federal activities.

MuckRock and the TJA have filed 260+ FOIA requests to uncover anti-trans policies at both state and federal levels. The documents show major impacts on health care, housing, prisons, and education.

Read the story → www.muckrock.com/news/archive...

#FOIA #InvestigativeJournalism

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How-to: Exploring Gravesites, Obituaries and Cemetery Records for Family Research This video demonstrates how you can use findagrave.com, obituaries, newspapers.com, the VA's National Cemetery Administration, and the American Battle Monuments Commission to find information on fami...

🔗Watch the video here: www.sunlightresearch.net/post/how-to-...
#JournalismTools #ResearchTips #Transparency
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These methods can help you uncover overlooked details and make connections that strengthen accountability reporting.
#DataJournalism
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The past: read all about it. The largest online newspaper archive. Used by millions every month for historical research, family history, crime investigations, journalism, and more.

🧵Learn how to use cemetery records and obituaries in your research
We made a how-to video showing step by step ways to use Find a Grave, Newspapers.com, VA cemetery records and more to build out family background for your reporting.
#InvestigativeJournalism #ResearchTools #Backgrounding
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Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: FOIAFriday. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. MuckRock hosts FOIAFriday, where we'll answer your questions and get into the weeds on a variety of topics in FOIA and state public records laws.

💬 Bring your FOIA questions + join a community of records-driven reporters.
📅 Sept. 26 | 1 p.m. ET
🔗 Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
#FOIA #PublicRecords #journalism
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Cam is a Local Investigations Fellow at The New York Times, and formerly data reporter at the Illinois Answers Project. They specialize in data and documents-driven investigative reporting.
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📄 FOIAFriday is coming up! On Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. ET, join MuckRock for a Q&A deep dive into FOIA and state public records laws. Special guest: Cam Rodriguez of @nytimes.
#InvestigativeJournalism #MuckRock #Transparency
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Turning Strangers into Sources | Sunlight Research Join Sunlight Research Center and Jim Mintz, Sunlight’s co-founder, for a practical workshop on one of journalism’s most essential — and under-taught — skills: turning complete strangers into sources ...

📅 Thurs., Sept 25 | 12–1 p.m. ET
🔗 Sign up: www.sunlightresearch.net/event-detail...
Don’t miss this chance to learn field-tested source-building strategies from a veteran reporter.
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You’ll learn how to:
✅ Make cold contacts that build trust
✅ Turn strangers into long-term sources
✅ Expand who “counts” as a source in your reporting
#journalism 2/3