Carolina Data Desk

Our guide to data cleaning best practices for journalists, from @rtburg carolinadatadesk.org/data-cleaning-…

This tiny script that downloads a N.C. state campaign finance report, cleans it up and loads it in R for further analysis would save a news organization that uses it for all legislative candidates in all filing periods about $53 worth of work in 2020. github.com/carolinadatade…

Listen online. Data for this story had to be hand-curated from paper documents. That's costly for journalists, but yields benefit for community. Thanks to @PhoebeZerwick students @cgentilviso and @MandyLockeNews.

This story couldn't have happened without -- and almost didn't happen because of -- public data from @NCCourts. Hoping to host an AOC hack-a-thon in Chapel Hill soon. h/t @evictionlab @crddraynor wfdd.org/story/balancin…

Yes, data helped us help @wfdd get these housing stories. But the shoeleather reporting of @bethany_chafin @eddieartgarcia & David Ford put the flesh of human stories on the data's bones. wfdd.org/story/balancin…

Using public data from @GuilfordCounty & @HOLCRedlining along with @carto, we were able to help @wfdd show what a racially redlined neighborhood looks like today. Vacant lots and rentals dominate Ole Asheboro. rtburg.carto.com/builder/0c8479…

First story now online. With more to come next Tuesday and Thursday.

An example of the kind of powerful local reporting that can happen with newsroom courage, willingness to collaborate, and data.

Chatham's own "blue wave" in #electionresults. Shout out to #ChathamNC voters for having turnout 14 pts higher than the rest of the state! 👏 #ncpol mailchi.mp/reesenewslab/y…

Piece by @UNCMJschool MA student @cgentilviso gets featured on @wfdd. Here's his analysis: nc-votes.org/2018/10/tracki…

Looking to head Jordan's words? Come practice your SQL & make journalism better by working with us.

There will be many complex ways to measure uneven impact of #HurricaneFlorerence on North Carolina. A map by @UNCMJschool student @charririe shows "the @Bojangles1977 effect" as one simple way. carolinadatadesk.org/north-carolina…

@nc_votes is part of @UNCDataDesk, too. So we can help with voting and elections data this fall as well.

Reminder that we're here to help newsrooms use public data to find hidden stories and more effectively serve communities. In wake of #HurricaneFlorence we're more ready than ever to lend a hand. carolinadatadesk.org/help/ cc/ @UNCServes

I want to see @UNCMJschool students apply. DM for help on your application, due Sept. 7. Big h/t to @nhannahjones (MA '03) for helping make it happen.

Great program to further diversity in data journalism! @UNCMJschool students: Apply by Sept. 7!

CNS Data Lab is a great example of student-driven data reporting corps. More examples of its good work at merrill.umd.edu/2018/05/capita… & cnsmaryland.org/category/cns-d…

Just previewed our voter interview tool to room of reporters at @UNCDataDesk @reveal workshop in Winston-Salem. Positive reviews & great suggestions. Coming soon...