Thread by @ProPublica

1/ Hey journalists: We want to tell you about our Local Reporting Network, which supports local investigative reporting.

We're thrilled with our first batch of projects, and now expanding our network to dig into statehouses. Have an idea? Apply by 9/14:

propublica.forms.fm/local-reportin…

2/ So let’s say yours is a winning pitch. How does our partnership benefit you?

In this thread, we will let our seven partner local reporters this year do the talking.

3/ This grant lets you focus on your project for a year, without any other daily deadline duties.

Here’s what @JaymeKFraser from @MalheurNews says:

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4/ @JaymeKFraser and @MalheurNews are diving into what happens to people who’ve been found guilty except for insanity after they are released from state oversight.

One of her stories:

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5/ Reporter @Kenwardjr praised the editing process.

Ward and the @wvgazettemail have for decades covered coal and natural gas.

This year, he's gotten extra feedback.

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6/ @kenwardjr is examining whether WV is making the same mistakes with natural gas that it did with coal.

What he’s found so far indicates that the state *is* headed down the same path, in part thanks to elected officials who've sided w/ gas companies.

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7/ @RebekahAllen has covered conflicts of interest in the Louisiana legislature.

She also said the editing process has encouraged her pursuit of journalism.

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8/ @RebekahAllen showed how politicians in Louisiana can lawfully enrich themselves in their positions… like the lawmaker here who proposed a bill that would help, among others, a small chain of gas stations he owns.

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9/ @RebeccaKMoss says she’s been encouraged to go in-depth in her reporting through her partnership with @ProPublica.

She’s spending this year examining worker safety at nuclear labs.

The govt promised to clean up the labs. Is it keeping its promise?

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10/ @RebeccaKMoss has reported that the Trump admin has quietly taken steps that might inhibit independent oversight of its most high-risk nuclear facilities.

This includes Los Alamos National Lab, birthplace of the atomic bomb.

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11/ Abe Aboraya (@WMFEHealthNerd) has told stories of first responders who’ve ended up with PTSD after bad calls, and how their departments responded—or didn’t—to their mental health needs.

Aboraya credits ProPublica’s editorial and engagement help.

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12/ @WMFEHealthNerd reported on five first responders who jumped into action after the Pulse shooting and ended up with PTSD.

Some of the five faced indifference, resistance and harassment from the departments they served.

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13/ @jcsheckler at @SBTribune teamed up with @ProPublica reporter @bykenarmstrong to report on justice in an Indiana county this year.

Together, they’ve fought to get records and tell the story of a wrongful conviction in Elkhart, Ind.

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14/ @jcsheckler and @bykenarmstrong reported on two men who were convicted of crimes in Elkhart, Ind.

Even though the DNA didn’t match.

And even though witnesses backed down.

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15/ @MollyParkerSI has spent years at @thesouthern covering the public housing crisis in small and mid-sized cities, like Cairo, Ill., and East St. Louis, Ill.

She says what she’s learned here will follow her beyond her year with @ProPublica.

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16/ @MollyParkerSI reported in August that @SecretaryCarson declared public housing had been turned around in East St. Louis, Ill., under the federal government’s watch — when in reality, public housing remained in shambles.

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17/ We do this work to bolster local investigations w/ local newsrooms. It’s important.

We’re excited to see it continue with a round of statehouse investigation applications (due 9/14), and a general application process that will open later this fall.

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https://twitter.com/ProPublica/status/1037716877546532875