Deborah Nelson
@factlady.bsky.social
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
JUST PUBLISHED:
#Railroads and regulators have thwarted safety fixes for years, costing lives.
That's according to ongoing investigations into the rail industry from the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland. Read more:
cnsmaryland.org/2025/12/16/r...
#Railroads and regulators have thwarted safety fixes for years, costing lives.
That's according to ongoing investigations into the rail industry from the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland. Read more:
cnsmaryland.org/2025/12/16/r...
Railroads and regulators thwart safety fixes for years, costing lives
Human errors and track defects caused more than 3,000 rail accidents over the last decade, killing 23 people and injuring nearly 1,200. Yet federal railroad regulators failed to implement most of t…
cnsmaryland.org
December 17, 2025 at 9:48 PM
JUST PUBLISHED:
#Railroads and regulators have thwarted safety fixes for years, costing lives.
That's according to ongoing investigations into the rail industry from the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland. Read more:
cnsmaryland.org/2025/12/16/r...
#Railroads and regulators have thwarted safety fixes for years, costing lives.
That's according to ongoing investigations into the rail industry from the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland. Read more:
cnsmaryland.org/2025/12/16/r...
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
Congratulations to the 2025 winners of the international AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards! Read the full list of this year's winners – including journalists from Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom. bit.ly/4oCwZtq
November 13, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Congratulations to the 2025 winners of the international AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards! Read the full list of this year's winners – including journalists from Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom. bit.ly/4oCwZtq
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
Congratulations to this year's winners of our Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications!
Follow @scicommexcellence.nationalacademies.org to learn more about the winners and their work.
Follow @scicommexcellence.nationalacademies.org to learn more about the winners and their work.
Congratulations to the 2025 winners of the National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications given by @nationalacademies.org in partnership with @schmidtsciences.bsky.social !
Learn more about the winners: www.nationalacademies.org/news/2025/10... #scicomm
Learn more about the winners: www.nationalacademies.org/news/2025/10... #scicomm
October 23, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Congratulations to this year's winners of our Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications!
Follow @scicommexcellence.nationalacademies.org to learn more about the winners and their work.
Follow @scicommexcellence.nationalacademies.org to learn more about the winners and their work.
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
Exclusive: Assad government secretly moved mass grave to cover up killings, Reuters investigation finds reut.rs/4nYthdq
Exclusive: Assad government secretly moved mass grave to cover up killings, Reuters investigation finds
The Assad government carried out a two-year clandestine operation to truck thousands of bodies from one of Syria’s largest known mass graves to a secret location more than an hour away in the remote desert, a Reuters investigation has found.
reut.rs
October 14, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Exclusive: Assad government secretly moved mass grave to cover up killings, Reuters investigation finds reut.rs/4nYthdq
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
More than 2 years after the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, none of the largest U.S. freight railroads have fulfilled promises to join a federal close call program designed to reduce rail hazards and prevent accidents.
The latest from our #HowardCenter's "Off the Rails" project:
The latest from our #HowardCenter's "Off the Rails" project:
Railroads spurn system designed to prevent accidents
Two and a half years after a derailed train spewed toxic gases across eastern Ohio, none ofthe nation’s largest freight railroads have fulfilled promises to join a voluntary federal close call prog…
cnsmaryland.org
August 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
More than 2 years after the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, none of the largest U.S. freight railroads have fulfilled promises to join a federal close call program designed to reduce rail hazards and prevent accidents.
The latest from our #HowardCenter's "Off the Rails" project:
The latest from our #HowardCenter's "Off the Rails" project:
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
Today @gijn.org is releasing our first batch of notable speakers who will be sharing their expertise at #GIJC25. This conference, our first ever in Asia, will also include a record number of session speakers from the continent.
And many more big names and keynote speakers will drop soon!
And many more big names and keynote speakers will drop soon!
Innovative Journalism Legends Announced as Notable Speakers at GIJC25
The program lineup of more than 300 speakers will include the best in the business: award winners, data gurus, innovative editors, and experts on urgent investigative topics.
gijn.org
August 20, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
The investigation documented that “non-lethal” police tactics resulted in more than 1,000 deaths in the U.S. from 2012-2021. The project involved 205 students, faculty and staff from Merrill College. #fearlessjournalism
August 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
The investigation documented that “non-lethal” police tactics resulted in more than 1,000 deaths in the U.S. from 2012-2021. The project involved 205 students, faculty and staff from Merrill College. #fearlessjournalism
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
More congratulations are in order for the #HowardCenters, AP & FRONTLINE (PBS)!
"Lethal Restraint" won the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award in the New Series (Large Digital Organization) category.
VIEW the project: go.umd.edu/LethalRestraint
"Lethal Restraint" won the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award in the New Series (Large Digital Organization) category.
VIEW the project: go.umd.edu/LethalRestraint
August 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
More congratulations are in order for the #HowardCenters, AP & FRONTLINE (PBS)!
"Lethal Restraint" won the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award in the New Series (Large Digital Organization) category.
VIEW the project: go.umd.edu/LethalRestraint
"Lethal Restraint" won the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award in the New Series (Large Digital Organization) category.
VIEW the project: go.umd.edu/LethalRestraint
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
Our #HowardCenter partnered with our Capital News Service, Arizona State University’s Howard Center, the University of British Columbia’s Global Reporting Centre, the University of Oregon, NPR, CBC and The Narwhal. Stories will be distributed by AP.
cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails
cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails
Off the Rails
Off the rails
cnsmaryland.org
August 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Our #HowardCenter partnered with our Capital News Service, Arizona State University’s Howard Center, the University of British Columbia’s Global Reporting Centre, the University of Oregon, NPR, CBC and The Narwhal. Stories will be distributed by AP.
cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails
cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
More than two years have passed since the damaging 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. But the serious questions raised by the disaster remain. The latest collaboration led by our #HowardCenter — "Off the Rails" — explores those questions.
cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails
cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails
August 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
More than two years have passed since the damaging 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. But the serious questions raised by the disaster remain. The latest collaboration led by our #HowardCenter — "Off the Rails" — explores those questions.
cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails
cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
For this investigation, the Howard Center worked in collaboration with @globalreportingcentre.org and others. The team reviewed hundreds of documents, interviewed dozens of individuals and obtained unprecedented access to rail data.
Stay tuned for more findings ...
cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails/
Stay tuned for more findings ...
cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails/
Off the Rails
Off the rails
cnsmaryland.org
August 6, 2025 at 6:33 PM
For this investigation, the Howard Center worked in collaboration with @globalreportingcentre.org and others. The team reviewed hundreds of documents, interviewed dozens of individuals and obtained unprecedented access to rail data.
Stay tuned for more findings ...
cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails/
Stay tuned for more findings ...
cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails/
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
“We've never experienced anything of this magnitude in my entire career,” said Chris Wachter, Paulsboro’s police chief.
📰Full story: cnsmaryland.org/2025/08/06/m...
📽️ Video, "Aftermath of a hazardous chemical derailment":
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7T-...
📰Full story: cnsmaryland.org/2025/08/06/m...
📽️ Video, "Aftermath of a hazardous chemical derailment":
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7T-...
Aftermath of a hazardous chemical derailment
YouTube video by Capital News Service
www.youtube.com
August 6, 2025 at 6:33 PM
“We've never experienced anything of this magnitude in my entire career,” said Chris Wachter, Paulsboro’s police chief.
📰Full story: cnsmaryland.org/2025/08/06/m...
📽️ Video, "Aftermath of a hazardous chemical derailment":
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7T-...
📰Full story: cnsmaryland.org/2025/08/06/m...
📽️ Video, "Aftermath of a hazardous chemical derailment":
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7T-...
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
In 2012, a #derailment in Paulsboro, New Jersey, sent several tank cars carrying vinyl chloride plunging into a creek. One of the tank cars broke open, spreading a cloud of toxic gas over the surrounding area.
August 6, 2025 at 6:33 PM
In 2012, a #derailment in Paulsboro, New Jersey, sent several tank cars carrying vinyl chloride plunging into a creek. One of the tank cars broke open, spreading a cloud of toxic gas over the surrounding area.
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
OUT NOW from the The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism @merrillcollege.bsky.social:
Millions of tons of hazardous materials travel along U.S. rail lines each year. What risk do these #trains pose to communities?
🧵Here's what a new investigation reveals:
cnsmaryland.org/2025/08/06/m...
Millions of tons of hazardous materials travel along U.S. rail lines each year. What risk do these #trains pose to communities?
🧵Here's what a new investigation reveals:
cnsmaryland.org/2025/08/06/m...
Many towns unprepared for derailments, hazmat spills that can trigger fires, evacuations
A train derails and releases at least 1,000 gallons of hazardous chemicals in the U.S. about once every two months. Many communities along the rail lines aren’t prepared to keep people safe when it ha...
cnsmaryland.org
August 6, 2025 at 6:33 PM
OUT NOW from the The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism @merrillcollege.bsky.social:
Millions of tons of hazardous materials travel along U.S. rail lines each year. What risk do these #trains pose to communities?
🧵Here's what a new investigation reveals:
cnsmaryland.org/2025/08/06/m...
Millions of tons of hazardous materials travel along U.S. rail lines each year. What risk do these #trains pose to communities?
🧵Here's what a new investigation reveals:
cnsmaryland.org/2025/08/06/m...
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
I wrote somethingfor @fullfact.org about the ways in which the disappearing archive makes their work even harder but more important. I'm a trustee & continue to be amazed at their resiliency in an age of AI slop and attacks against those who investigate accuracy.
fullfact.org/technology/m...
fullfact.org/technology/m...
Mis(sing) information: The impact of disappearing archives and data sources – Full Fact
Discover how digital decay and disappearing archives weaken public scrutiny and fuel misinformation.
fullfact.org
July 25, 2025 at 10:53 AM
I wrote somethingfor @fullfact.org about the ways in which the disappearing archive makes their work even harder but more important. I'm a trustee & continue to be amazed at their resiliency in an age of AI slop and attacks against those who investigate accuracy.
fullfact.org/technology/m...
fullfact.org/technology/m...
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
Merrill College can offer you so many opportunities as a grad student. Hear all about it from graduated master's student Cait Kelley! Become #merrillmade.
APPLY TODAY at go.umd.edu/MerrillMasters
APPLY TODAY at go.umd.edu/MerrillMasters
July 25, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Merrill College can offer you so many opportunities as a grad student. Hear all about it from graduated master's student Cait Kelley! Become #merrillmade.
APPLY TODAY at go.umd.edu/MerrillMasters
APPLY TODAY at go.umd.edu/MerrillMasters
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
We are proud to announce five #merrillmade journalists will receive hands-on investigative reporting experiences with major nonprofit newsrooms as the Scripps Howard Foundation's NEW class of Roy W. Howard Fellows. 🧵
July 14, 2025 at 1:03 PM
We are proud to announce five #merrillmade journalists will receive hands-on investigative reporting experiences with major nonprofit newsrooms as the Scripps Howard Foundation's NEW class of Roy W. Howard Fellows. 🧵
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
Are you a local freelancer or staff reporter seeking funding on your next investigative story? Our new website lays out clear guidelines and tips on how to secure a SpotlightDC grant.
spotlightdc.org/apply/
spotlightdc.org/apply/
How To Apply for a Grant - SpotlightDC: Capital City Fund for Investigative Journalism
SpotlightDC is an independent non-profit, raising charitable funds and award grants for groundbreaking journalism in Washington, D.C.
spotlightdc.org
June 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Are you a local freelancer or staff reporter seeking funding on your next investigative story? Our new website lays out clear guidelines and tips on how to secure a SpotlightDC grant.
spotlightdc.org/apply/
spotlightdc.org/apply/
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
Exciting news from SpotlightDC: we have a new website! 🎉
It's never been easier to read some of the best accountability journalism happening in the District. You can look through all 30+ SpotlightDC-funded stories on topics like housing, climate, substance use, and more at spotlightdc.org/stories/
It's never been easier to read some of the best accountability journalism happening in the District. You can look through all 30+ SpotlightDC-funded stories on topics like housing, climate, substance use, and more at spotlightdc.org/stories/
June 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Exciting news from SpotlightDC: we have a new website! 🎉
It's never been easier to read some of the best accountability journalism happening in the District. You can look through all 30+ SpotlightDC-funded stories on topics like housing, climate, substance use, and more at spotlightdc.org/stories/
It's never been easier to read some of the best accountability journalism happening in the District. You can look through all 30+ SpotlightDC-funded stories on topics like housing, climate, substance use, and more at spotlightdc.org/stories/
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
Our #HowardCenter won an IRE Award (Student - Large category) for their "Planes, Trains and Luxury Stays" investigation into congressional travel! Congratulations to all the #merrillmade students, faculty and staff who contributed to this important work!
www.ire.org/announcing-t...
www.ire.org/announcing-t...
April 16, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Our #HowardCenter won an IRE Award (Student - Large category) for their "Planes, Trains and Luxury Stays" investigation into congressional travel! Congratulations to all the #merrillmade students, faculty and staff who contributed to this important work!
www.ire.org/announcing-t...
www.ire.org/announcing-t...
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
The IRE Award for Investigations Triggered by Breaking News goes to @thebaltimorebanner.com for reporting on the Key Bridge collapse. “This was a colossal effort for 24 hours, with journalists waking up in the middle of the night and working well together.” www.thebaltimorebanner.com/specials/key...
April 16, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The IRE Award for Investigations Triggered by Breaking News goes to @thebaltimorebanner.com for reporting on the Key Bridge collapse. “This was a colossal effort for 24 hours, with journalists waking up in the middle of the night and working well together.” www.thebaltimorebanner.com/specials/key...
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
The Print/Online Division I Award goes to @wsj.com for “The Great Medicare Scandal.” With groundbreaking new data uncovering financial impropriety within Medicare Advantage, judges called this “a clear winner.” www.wsj.com/articles/med...
April 16, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The Print/Online Division I Award goes to @wsj.com for “The Great Medicare Scandal.” With groundbreaking new data uncovering financial impropriety within Medicare Advantage, judges called this “a clear winner.” www.wsj.com/articles/med...
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
The Student (Large) Award goes to Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at UMD and @bostonu.bsky.social for “Planes, Trains and Luxury Stays.” Judges were impressed by the amount of data analyzed and the interactive database for readers. cnsmaryland.org/congressiona...
April 16, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The Student (Large) Award goes to Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at UMD and @bostonu.bsky.social for “Planes, Trains and Luxury Stays.” Judges were impressed by the amount of data analyzed and the interactive database for readers. cnsmaryland.org/congressiona...
Reposted by Deborah Nelson
IRE was founded Feb. 22, 1975 in Reston, Virginia — exactly 50 years ago today!
This milestone is special. It means that for half a century, our members have stayed true to the belief that journalism can help us all live in a better, more informed world. www.ire.org/ire-50th-news/
This milestone is special. It means that for half a century, our members have stayed true to the belief that journalism can help us all live in a better, more informed world. www.ire.org/ire-50th-news/
IRE is celebrating its 50th birthday and you’re invited to the party! - Investigative Reporters & Editors
Fifty years of IRE. This milestone is special. To celebrate this historic anniversary, check out the events coming up in 2025.
www.ire.org
February 22, 2025 at 4:30 PM
IRE was founded Feb. 22, 1975 in Reston, Virginia — exactly 50 years ago today!
This milestone is special. It means that for half a century, our members have stayed true to the belief that journalism can help us all live in a better, more informed world. www.ire.org/ire-50th-news/
This milestone is special. It means that for half a century, our members have stayed true to the belief that journalism can help us all live in a better, more informed world. www.ire.org/ire-50th-news/