Portfolio
I've done all kinds of reporting, from courts to features to education. The level I have the most experience in is covering all levels of politics – local, state and federal.
Below are work samples from the many jobs and internships I have had to demonstrate the range of my abilities. Also check out the photography and videography sections.
PolitickerME.com
When I took a position with the New York Observer Media Group to write for PolitickerME.com, I was mailed a laptop and a smart phone, and told to “go cover politics.” I covered all levels of politics, focusing on the 2008 election.
I included a section on campaign finance reporting to demonstrate my ability to read and analyze campaign finance reports and to show my comprehension of Maine's public financing system.
Often, I would report on major issues not by writing one piece but by writing several pieces on the same subject. I also used the “live-blogging” format to cover major events. Those examples are under “projects”.
An important note on Web links: PolitickerME.com is no longer running in its original form, having since been changed to a simple news feed reader. The project was cut by the parent company due to funding restraints. While many of my clips remain online, the URLs have changed resulting in dead links within the articles, and images have been removed. I have all my stories saved in their original form. I apologize for the inconvenience.
General News Reporting:
03/31/08: Democrats' version of the budget passed
09/05/08: Snowe rules out serving in McCain's cabinet
11/21/07: 'The timing is right': Faircloth, others to seek AG job
07/18/08: In Caribou, a lumber shop and a political career
07/07/08: Yarmouth recount: A tale of three ballots
09/01/08: Rove: Obama's inexperienced; Biden's a 'big, blowhard doofus'
(two followups attached to end of Word document)
Issue Stories:
08/13/08: Cutting through the spin: Breaking down the EFCA
12/28/07: Petitioner rights: A debate for the Legislature or the courts?
Political Analysis:
08/26/08: As poll numbers drop, political experts predict tough road for Allen
10/28/08: Collins ad hits Allen on missed votes, partisanship (ad fact check)
12/09/08: From '04 to '08, 110 towns shift colors on Maine map: Representatives say migration of out-of-staters caused voter shifts in two towns
Projects:
05/02/08 to 05/04/08: Complete coverage of the Maine Republican convention
Complete coverage of the two-day meeting of Republicans across the state. This included coverage of the conflict between the Ron Paul and John McCain camps, breaking news on delegate elections, and coverage of various speakers and motions throughout the day.
10/17/08: 'Live-blogging' a day with U.S. Sen. Susan Collins
I spent a full day on U.S. Sen. Susan Collins' campaign bus, and made posts throughout the day.
10/09/08 to 11/05/09: Legislative race ratings
I did a short analysis of each legislative race, based on background information from sources. In the end, I was right in all but six of the 186 races.
Campaign Finance Stories:
10/27/08: Fed Up with Taxes campaigns to save Maine businesses, but spends its money out of state
08/31/08: VoteVets ad could raise questions with Maine's Clean Elections Act
04/16/08: Who's earning, who's spending in Congressional races
10/29/08: Targeted legislative races for independent expenditure spending
11/24/08: MCEA budget looking bleak for 2010
06/27/08: Leave it alone, MCEA proponents say
Sun Journal - Lewiston, Maine
I covered a wide range of stories for this regional newspaper. I started out in one of the paper's Western Maine bureaus, covering eight small towns in Oxford County. Later I was promoted to the State House bureau where I covered legislation affecting our coverage area.
07/08/07: Agents of change... or not
A summary of what each local legislator accomplished during the session.
- Document Download (includes just a sampling of the 33 profiles)
07/22/07: Clean voting draws fans
10/01/06: 'Disturbing trend': Women behind bars
02/09/07: Hit-man saga leads to prison
10/20/06: Canine helping teach readers
11/17/06: 'A rare breed'
The Hill - Washington, D.C.
I was a general intern with this Capitol Hill publication, assisting reporters with research and writing stories.
03/08/06: White House hopefuls skipped Katrina visit
04/05/06: Hundreds of activists to demand paper trail and open tallies on voting devices
Cape Cod Times - Hyannis, Mass.
I was a summer news intern for this newspaper in 2005, reporting on a wide range of stories.
07/09/05: Unmanned East Harwich firehouse seen as scare tactic
08/06/05: Harwich faces funding decisions
08/03/05: Vote will save about 20 jobs
07/30/05: Costly Cruise
A piece about how high gas prices were affecting boaters
06/27/05: Group seeks wind farm design center
The Times-Reporter - New Philadelphia, Ohio
I was a summer intern for this newspaper in 2004, reporting on a wide range of stories.
08/01/04: Sweet visit: Quick stop in Dover surprises many
Coverage of President Bush's visit
08/04/04: How sweet it is -- Since Bush visit, candy store business booming
06/08/04: Carrollton official taking heat: Hundreds demand Jay Mergenschroer's resignation
07/14/04: Council, mayor balk on severance pay
07/20/04: Council wants to pay ex-administrator, but not as much
The Beacon Journal - Akron, Ohio
I was a part-time correspondent for this newspaper, writing weekend features and covering two city council bodies.
11/26/04: Canines pack park on opening day
10/10/04: Juggling, jousting and gingerbread
The Chronicle-Telegram - Elyria, Ohio
I interned for this paper during winter break of 2004, covering a wide range of stories.
12/31/04: Elyria Schools, residents to review cuts
12/29/04: Parents struggle to find coverage: Baby sitters scarce on New Year's Eve
Daily Kent Stater, Kent State University - Kent, Ohio
I worked my way up through the ranks of this student publication, holding a number of reporting and editing roles.
