Our Journalists’ Work

Accountability journalism that corps members produce includes articles, TV and radio clips, and photojournalism. In “On the Ground Dispatches,” they reflect on their observations and reporting from the field.

News Stories

Want out of Jail? First You Have To Take a Fast-Food Job

To pay off court-ordered debts, some inmates in Mississippi restitution centers carry out their sentences by working long hours at low-wage jobs instead of serving time behind bars, reported RFA corps member Michelle Liu.

Michelle Liu

Mississippi Today

‘It’s killing children and no one is talking about it’: Asthma is taking a steep toll on Newark’s students and their schools

Corps member Devna Bose reported on Newark’s high child asthma rate and resulting child deaths. Her story pushed the Newark Teachers Union and school district to urge all staff members to participate in online training by the American Lung Association.

Devna Bose

Chalkbeat Newark

Judge Dawn Gentry faces misconduct charges. Here’s what happened and what happens next.

RFA corps member Julia Fair gained widespread attention for her story on a county judge facing nine charges from state investigators related to favoritism, sexual advances and consuming alcohol in the courthouse. Her watchdog reporting inspired two anonymous donors to contribute $5,000 each.

Julia Fair

The Cincinnati Enquirer

For poor Californians, bad teeth lead to discrimination

Low-income residents have few options for quality dental care, RFA corps member Manuela Tobias reported. Bad teeth mean bad jobs, which propels a cycle of poverty.

Manuela Tobias
Fresno Bee

(Francisco Kjolseth | Tribune file photo) Arch Canyon, within Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, is seen May 8, 2017.

Questionable bills surround lobbying effort

A Louisiana law firm charged Utah’s poorest county $500,000, including questionable fees, to lobby against the expansion of Bears Ears National Monument, corps member Zak Podmore reported after demanding public records. 

Zak Podmore
Salt Lake Tribune

The high cost of poor defense 

Corps member Samantha Hogan revealed potential over-billing by lawyers defending Maine’s poor—including continual 80-hour weeks for some. Her investigation sparked multiple state investigations. 

Samantha Hogan
Pine Tree Watch

Photographer Adam Sings In The Timber Wants To Change The Way You See Native America

A profile of this Apsalooke photographer reveals his ethos: He tries to document Native people as they are day-to-day, whether they’re planting herbs in a community garden or protesting at their city’s Women’s March.

Savannah Maher
Wyoming Public Radio

Northern Kentucky toxic chemicals: Where are the worst? Sorry, that’s secret.

Emergency workers in Northern Kentucky have identified 23 chemicals that local companies use that would be particularly hazardous to residents in the event of a spill or leak. But state law doesn’t allow the public to know what they are.

Julia Fair
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Utah women agree: Business and government leaders should work on the gender wage gap

After having one of the worst gender wage gaps in the country for several years, Utah women have a message for their government and business leaders: Take action.

Becky Jacobs
Salt Lake Tribune

Photo Galleries

MISSISSIPPI TODAY

Meet the families that have been affected by immigration raids

MISSISSIPPI TODAY

Paint the Town 2019

On the Ground Essays​