Sunlight Research Center
@sunlightresearch.bsky.social
We are a nonprofit journalism support organization that empowers newsrooms of all sizes with the tools and research needed to deliver fact-based, transparent investigative journalism that holds power accountable. Check us out: www.sunlightresearch.net
Pinned
The role of a free press has never been more critical🕵️♀️✨
At ☀️ Sunlight Research Center, we’re dedicated to empowering #journalism & supporting newsrooms in holding power accountable.
Follow us for tools, tips & investigative insights to shine a light where its needed most #investigativejournalism
At ☀️ Sunlight Research Center, we’re dedicated to empowering #journalism & supporting newsrooms in holding power accountable.
Follow us for tools, tips & investigative insights to shine a light where its needed most #investigativejournalism
Finding the truth buried in decades-old evidence in our workshop on reopening and reporting on cold cases with award-winning investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell.
Cracking Open Cold Cases with Jerry Mitchell | Sunlight Research
Join Sunlight Research Center and award-winning investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell for a practical workshop on reopening and reporting on cold cases, and finding the truth buried in decades-old…
www.sunlightresearch.net
November 7, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Finding the truth buried in decades-old evidence in our workshop on reopening and reporting on cold cases with award-winning investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell.
Government data is disappearing, but Sunlight Research Center's tipsheet explores what you can do to keep track of data relevant to your research and reporting.
Tip Sheet: AccessFest 2025 Government Data Disappearing
This tip sheet can be used to find information on the disappearance of government data and explore what you can do to keep track of data relevant to your research and reporting.
www.sunlightresearch.net
November 6, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Government data is disappearing, but Sunlight Research Center's tipsheet explores what you can do to keep track of data relevant to your research and reporting.
Reposted by Sunlight Research Center
Glad to see this reporting coming out! I enjoyed doing the property research and making the graphics that went into the article
🚇✨ Why is Elon Musk’s Boring Co. quietly buying up real estate along the Las Vegas Loop?
Our member newsroom @TheNVIndy just published this story by Oona Milliken.
👉 thenevadaindependent.com/article/why-...
#InvestigativeJournalism #ElonMusk #LasVegasLoop
Our member newsroom @TheNVIndy just published this story by Oona Milliken.
👉 thenevadaindependent.com/article/why-...
#InvestigativeJournalism #ElonMusk #LasVegasLoop
Why has Musk’s Boring Co. quietly been buying real estate along Las Vegas Loop? - The Nevada Independent
Why has Musk’s Boring Co. quietly been buying real estate along Las Vegas Loop? Read more from The Nevada Independent.
thenevadaindependent.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Glad to see this reporting coming out! I enjoyed doing the property research and making the graphics that went into the article
Reposted by Sunlight Research Center
Join @sunlightresearch.bsky.social and award-winning investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell for a practical workshop on reopening and reporting on cold cases, and finding the truth buried in decades-old evidence.
Cracking Open Cold Cases with Jerry Mitchell | Sunlight Research
Join Sunlight Research Center and award-winning investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell for a practical workshop on reopening and reporting on cold cases, and finding the truth buried in decades-old…
www.sunlightresearch.net
November 4, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Join @sunlightresearch.bsky.social and award-winning investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell for a practical workshop on reopening and reporting on cold cases, and finding the truth buried in decades-old evidence.
🚇✨ Why is Elon Musk’s Boring Co. quietly buying up real estate along the Las Vegas Loop?
Our member newsroom @TheNVIndy just published this story by Oona Milliken.
👉 thenevadaindependent.com/article/why-...
#InvestigativeJournalism #ElonMusk #LasVegasLoop
Our member newsroom @TheNVIndy just published this story by Oona Milliken.
👉 thenevadaindependent.com/article/why-...
#InvestigativeJournalism #ElonMusk #LasVegasLoop
Why has Musk’s Boring Co. quietly been buying real estate along Las Vegas Loop? - The Nevada Independent
Why has Musk’s Boring Co. quietly been buying real estate along Las Vegas Loop? Read more from The Nevada Independent.
thenevadaindependent.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:04 AM
🚇✨ Why is Elon Musk’s Boring Co. quietly buying up real estate along the Las Vegas Loop?
Our member newsroom @TheNVIndy just published this story by Oona Milliken.
👉 thenevadaindependent.com/article/why-...
#InvestigativeJournalism #ElonMusk #LasVegasLoop
Our member newsroom @TheNVIndy just published this story by Oona Milliken.
👉 thenevadaindependent.com/article/why-...
#InvestigativeJournalism #ElonMusk #LasVegasLoop
🐄🛰️ AI meets agriculture.
@wisconsinwatch.org reporter Bennet Goldstein shows how satellites + machine learning can help identify and prevent illegal manure spreading on frozen fields.
#InvestigativeJournalism #AI #DataJournalism
🔗 wisconsinwatch.org/2024/03/wisc...
@wisconsinwatch.org reporter Bennet Goldstein shows how satellites + machine learning can help identify and prevent illegal manure spreading on frozen fields.
#InvestigativeJournalism #AI #DataJournalism
🔗 wisconsinwatch.org/2024/03/wisc...
Poopspotting: How AI and satellites can detect illegal manure spreading in Wisconsin
Applying manure atop snow or frozen soil heightens the risk of runoff. Researchers are using aerial photographs — snapped by satellites orbiting the globe — to teach computers to recognize winter s…
wisconsinwatch.org
October 27, 2025 at 10:48 PM
🐄🛰️ AI meets agriculture.
@wisconsinwatch.org reporter Bennet Goldstein shows how satellites + machine learning can help identify and prevent illegal manure spreading on frozen fields.
#InvestigativeJournalism #AI #DataJournalism
🔗 wisconsinwatch.org/2024/03/wisc...
@wisconsinwatch.org reporter Bennet Goldstein shows how satellites + machine learning can help identify and prevent illegal manure spreading on frozen fields.
#InvestigativeJournalism #AI #DataJournalism
🔗 wisconsinwatch.org/2024/03/wisc...
🌍 This Friday! Join Sunlight Research Center + Anna Massoglia for a workshop on tracking global business + influence.
🕐 Oct 31, 12–1 PM ET
Follow the money across borders + uncover who really controls companies.
#InvestigativeJournalism #Transparency
🕐 Oct 31, 12–1 PM ET
Follow the money across borders + uncover who really controls companies.
#InvestigativeJournalism #Transparency
October 27, 2025 at 3:12 PM
🌍 This Friday! Join Sunlight Research Center + Anna Massoglia for a workshop on tracking global business + influence.
🕐 Oct 31, 12–1 PM ET
Follow the money across borders + uncover who really controls companies.
#InvestigativeJournalism #Transparency
🕐 Oct 31, 12–1 PM ET
Follow the money across borders + uncover who really controls companies.
#InvestigativeJournalism #Transparency
🚘🌲 The Sunlight team hit the road this month!
We spoke at IRE’s AccessFest 2025 + the National Press Foundation conference, sharing tools to help journalists protect + uncover public data.
#InvestigativeJournalism #AccessFest2025 #NPF
🔗 www.sunlightresearch.net/resources
We spoke at IRE’s AccessFest 2025 + the National Press Foundation conference, sharing tools to help journalists protect + uncover public data.
#InvestigativeJournalism #AccessFest2025 #NPF
🔗 www.sunlightresearch.net/resources
Resources | Sunlight Research Center
Sunlight’s collection of resources helps reporters of all experience levels sharpen their reporting skills. Our research guide, training videos and tip sheets are a one-stop-shop to boost your newsroo...
www.sunlightresearch.net
October 23, 2025 at 6:47 PM
🚘🌲 The Sunlight team hit the road this month!
We spoke at IRE’s AccessFest 2025 + the National Press Foundation conference, sharing tools to help journalists protect + uncover public data.
#InvestigativeJournalism #AccessFest2025 #NPF
🔗 www.sunlightresearch.net/resources
We spoke at IRE’s AccessFest 2025 + the National Press Foundation conference, sharing tools to help journalists protect + uncover public data.
#InvestigativeJournalism #AccessFest2025 #NPF
🔗 www.sunlightresearch.net/resources
Big news: Sunlight Research Center is joining MuckRock! Together, we're creating a capacity- building engine, expanding tools, training and hands-on support for local investigative reporting.
#InvestigativeReporting #LocalNews #LocalJournalism
#InvestigativeReporting #LocalNews #LocalJournalism
October 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Big news: Sunlight Research Center is joining MuckRock! Together, we're creating a capacity- building engine, expanding tools, training and hands-on support for local investigative reporting.
#InvestigativeReporting #LocalNews #LocalJournalism
#InvestigativeReporting #LocalNews #LocalJournalism
🕵️♀️ Two powerful workshops coming up from @SunlightResearch!
💼 Oct 31: Money, Movement, and Misdirection w/ Anna Massoglia
🕵️ Nov 14: Cracking Open Cold Cases w/ Jerry Mitchell
Learn, connect, investigate.
#InvestigativeJournalism #Transparency
💼 Oct 31: Money, Movement, and Misdirection w/ Anna Massoglia
🕵️ Nov 14: Cracking Open Cold Cases w/ Jerry Mitchell
Learn, connect, investigate.
#InvestigativeJournalism #Transparency
October 21, 2025 at 7:36 PM
🕵️♀️ Two powerful workshops coming up from @SunlightResearch!
💼 Oct 31: Money, Movement, and Misdirection w/ Anna Massoglia
🕵️ Nov 14: Cracking Open Cold Cases w/ Jerry Mitchell
Learn, connect, investigate.
#InvestigativeJournalism #Transparency
💼 Oct 31: Money, Movement, and Misdirection w/ Anna Massoglia
🕵️ Nov 14: Cracking Open Cold Cases w/ Jerry Mitchell
Learn, connect, investigate.
#InvestigativeJournalism #Transparency
📚🎸 It’s #BannedBooksWeek & @muckrock.com is going on tour!
They’re teaming up with @themarshallproject.org, @transjournalists.org , & @404media.co to track what books are being banned in schools, libraries, & prisons.
👉 muckrock.com/news/archive...
#FOIA #Censorship
They’re teaming up with @themarshallproject.org, @transjournalists.org , & @404media.co to track what books are being banned in schools, libraries, & prisons.
👉 muckrock.com/news/archive...
#FOIA #Censorship
It’s Banned Books Week. Want to find out about censorship in your backyard? Join the FOIAs tour
Our good friends at 404 Media, the Trans Journalists Association and the Marshall Project have all been filing requests to find out what books are banned and where, so we decided it was time to hit th...
muckrock.com
October 9, 2025 at 7:18 PM
📚🎸 It’s #BannedBooksWeek & @muckrock.com is going on tour!
They’re teaming up with @themarshallproject.org, @transjournalists.org , & @404media.co to track what books are being banned in schools, libraries, & prisons.
👉 muckrock.com/news/archive...
#FOIA #Censorship
They’re teaming up with @themarshallproject.org, @transjournalists.org , & @404media.co to track what books are being banned in schools, libraries, & prisons.
👉 muckrock.com/news/archive...
#FOIA #Censorship
🏫 What’s next for UNC Asheville? @avlwatchdog dives deep into Chancellor Kimberly van Noort’s leadership & the tensions shaping the university’s future.
👉 avlwatchdog.org/unc-ashevill...
#LocalNews #Accountability
👉 avlwatchdog.org/unc-ashevill...
#LocalNews #Accountability
UNC Asheville’s future rests with Kimberly van Noort. Where is she taking it? • Asheville Watchdog
The Blue Ridge Room, a parquet-floored hall in the University of North Carolina Asheville’s Highsmith Student Union, can accommodate an audience of nearly 500. On a Wednesday night in April, the room ...
avlwatchdog.org
October 8, 2025 at 8:52 PM
🏫 What’s next for UNC Asheville? @avlwatchdog dives deep into Chancellor Kimberly van Noort’s leadership & the tensions shaping the university’s future.
👉 avlwatchdog.org/unc-ashevill...
#LocalNews #Accountability
👉 avlwatchdog.org/unc-ashevill...
#LocalNews #Accountability
🕵️ 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.
October 7, 2025 at 8:43 PM
🕵️ 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.
🔎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
🌲 Yellowstone and Grand Teton will stay partly open during the government shutdown. Services will be limited, raising concerns about safety, access, and preservation. 🚧
#NationalParks
October 2, 2025 at 8:57 PM
🔎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
🌲 Yellowstone and Grand Teton will stay partly open during the government shutdown. Services will be limited, raising concerns about safety, access, and preservation. 🚧
#NationalParks
💬 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
📝 Check out our tip sheet with Laurie Cohen: www.sunlightresearch.net/post/intervi...
#Journalism #Interviewing
Tip Sheet: Interviewing Tips and Tricks
This tip sheet includes tips for identifying and interviewing sources from Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, Laurie Cohen.
www.sunlightresearch.net
October 1, 2025 at 7:16 PM
💬 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
📝 Check out our tip sheet with Laurie Cohen: www.sunlightresearch.net/post/intervi...
#Journalism #Interviewing
🚨 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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September 30, 2025 at 8:22 PM
🚨 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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🕵️♀️ 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...
Sign up here: www.sunlightresearch.net/event-detail...
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.
www.sunlightresearch.net
September 29, 2025 at 7:35 PM
🕵️♀️ 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...
Sign up here: www.sunlightresearch.net/event-detail...
📱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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#Transparency #Accountability #MuckRock
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September 26, 2025 at 3:03 PM
📱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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#Transparency #Accountability #MuckRock
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⏰ 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
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
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 ...
www.sunlightresearch.net
September 24, 2025 at 9:13 PM
⏰ 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
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 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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Read the story → www.muckrock.com/news/archive...
#FOIA #InvestigativeJournalism
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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.
www.muckrock.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:53 PM
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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Read the story → www.muckrock.com/news/archive...
#FOIA #InvestigativeJournalism
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🧵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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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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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.
Newspapers.com
September 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
🧵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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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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📄 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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#InvestigativeJournalism #MuckRock #Transparency
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September 16, 2025 at 3:49 PM
📄 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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#InvestigativeJournalism #MuckRock #Transparency
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👥 How do you turn strangers into trusted sources?
Join Sunlight & co-founder Jim Mintz on Sept. 25 for a workshop on one of journalism’s most essential skills.
#InvestigativeJournalism #JournalismWorkshop #ReportingSkills #Sources
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Join Sunlight & co-founder Jim Mintz on Sept. 25 for a workshop on one of journalism’s most essential skills.
#InvestigativeJournalism #JournalismWorkshop #ReportingSkills #Sources
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September 10, 2025 at 6:57 PM
👥 How do you turn strangers into trusted sources?
Join Sunlight & co-founder Jim Mintz on Sept. 25 for a workshop on one of journalism’s most essential skills.
#InvestigativeJournalism #JournalismWorkshop #ReportingSkills #Sources
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Join Sunlight & co-founder Jim Mintz on Sept. 25 for a workshop on one of journalism’s most essential skills.
#InvestigativeJournalism #JournalismWorkshop #ReportingSkills #Sources
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👁️ How do we track police surveillance tech across the U.S.?
MuckRock shows how the Atlas of Surveillance built a database spanning 5,500+ jurisdictions.
#FOIA #Transparency
MuckRock shows how the Atlas of Surveillance built a database spanning 5,500+ jurisdictions.
#FOIA #Transparency
September 10, 2025 at 12:03 AM
👁️ How do we track police surveillance tech across the U.S.?
MuckRock shows how the Atlas of Surveillance built a database spanning 5,500+ jurisdictions.
#FOIA #Transparency
MuckRock shows how the Atlas of Surveillance built a database spanning 5,500+ jurisdictions.
#FOIA #Transparency
🗂️ New from Sunlight: U.S. State Financial Disclosures tip sheet, a state-by-state directory for tracking down where to find candidates’ financial filings. 1/3 🧵
September 2, 2025 at 10:06 PM
🗂️ New from Sunlight: U.S. State Financial Disclosures tip sheet, a state-by-state directory for tracking down where to find candidates’ financial filings. 1/3 🧵