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STEPHEN NEUKAM

JOURNALIST

ABOUT ME

I am a reporter interested in politics, investigations and data. I have experience covering national and state politics, working on investigative projects, data analyses and data visualizations. I consider this website to be the front page of my professional life, but you can find out more by following my Twitter account above.

EXPERIENCE

Fall 2022
The Texas Tribune, Reporting Fellow

Reporting on the Texas Congressional delegation and national politics.

Summer 2022
The Hill, Reporting intern

Reporting on Capitol Hill as a summer intern for The Hill. This included covering a wide array of policy areas, ranging from foreign policy, environmental reforms and the economy.

Present 2022
Capital News Service, Reporter

Covering environmental legislation in the Maryland State House, Governor Larry Hogan and the 2022 Maryland gubernatorial race. Outside of my daily beat, I worked on investigative stories looking into campaign finance in the governor's race.

Present 2021
Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Reporter

Reported and contributed to investigative projects. This included writing, fact-checking, data analysis and graphic design work. My first project for the center was an investigation into how newspapers covered the lynchings of Mexicans, Asians and Native Americans in the U.S. It was a part of its larger "Printing Hate" project.

1 year 2020
Nonprofit Sector News, News intern

Reported on local and national nonprofit organizations at the height of the pandemic.

2 years 2019
The Rider News, Executive editor

Oversaw and managed a paid staff of 30 students. Responsible for all aspects of publication, including full editorial discretion and advertising responsibilities. In my two years in charge, I helped refocus the paper's priorities toward hard news and investigative projects. Our investigation into misconduct allegations at the university won the SPJ national award for collegiate in-depth reporting in 2020.

SKILLS

Data analysis

Familiar with RStudio, OpenRefine and Tabula to help analyze and organize data for news stories. These skills help inform projects as well as making reporting more effecient and effective.

Data visualization

Experience with Datawrapper and RStudio to visualize data and make projects more interactive and engaging.

Audio production and editing

Proficient in Adobe Audition to create and edit audio projects. Experience with podcast production and writing.

Publication design

Proficient in Adobe inDesign and intense training with publication design to produce a weekly print publication for three years in college. Familiarity with news and creative layout.

DSLR camera and video editing

Comfortable with DLSR cameras to shoot footage and Adobe Premiere to edit video projects.

HTML and CSS

Experience with HTML, CSS and Bootstrap to build web platforms for stories and news projects.

MY WORK

Gov. Greg Abbott’s migrant busing program is what asylum advocates wanted all along (Texas Tribune)

Texas’ migrant buses were meant to send a message about immigration and antagonize Democrats. But the program is also helping migrants get across the U.S. for free.

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Republicans wage war on environmental investing rules (The Hill)

A groundswell of Republicans in states across the U.S. are waging a war against environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing, framing the fight against the economic strategy as a stance against what they call liberal policies interfering in the free market.

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State lotteries transfer wealth out of needy communities (Associated Press)

A nationwide investigation of state lotteries by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland found that lottery retailers are disproportionately clustered in lower-income communities in nearly every state. In 10 states, lotteries generate more revenue than corporate income taxes.

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Millions in out-of-state money fuels candidates for Maryland governor (CBS)

My analysis of campaign finance data reveals how candidates from all over the country bolster their runs with outreach to cash-rich fundraising areas in other states.

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Maryland becomes first state to lower gas prices with fuel tax moratorium

Maryland drivers got immediate relief at the pump when Republican Gov. Larry Hogan signed into law a 30-day gas tax moratorium, after the legislation was fast-tracked by unanimous votes in the General Assembly.

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Wes Moore's financial connections pose conflict problems

Moore’s cannabis connection shines a spotlight on a dilemma for a unique candidate, one with sprawling financial interests consisting of significant holdings in many private companies. His marijuana holdings, while a small part of his overall assets, are just one illustration of how his portfolio could put him at odds with the administrative duties of being governor.

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News coverage of lynchings of Mexicans, Asians and Native Americans followed established patterns

An investigative look at the history of the lynchings of Mexicans, Asians and Native Americans in the U.S., using data and archival research. Part of the Howard Center's Printing Hate series.

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SFPA
Trauma behind the curtain: SFPA students drop bombshell allegations

This story is the first in a series of pieces that looked into claims of misconduct in Rider University's Fine and Performing Arts program. The series won the SPJ national collegiate award for in-depth reporting in 2020.

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Climate takes center stage at Maryland gubernatorial forum

Ten Maryland governor candidates laid out their plans for slashing carbon emissions, building mass transit projects, protecting the Chesapeake Bay and improving air quality in the state at a climate forum at the University of Maryland in College Park.

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© Copyright 2022 | Coded and designed by Stephen Neukam