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Walkability Index Helps Journalists Highlight Planning Issues

Many local government decisions come down to a key factor: walkability. And that’s not just a question of transportation infrastructure. As the latest Reporter’s Toolbox notes, walkability is also an environmental consideration. To turn that simple truth into stories about the built environment, here’s a high-quality, mappable walkability index. How to use the database smartly, plus questions to ask that will get your reporting started.

The Art of Access — Strategies for Acquiring Environmental Records

As government resistance intensifies over sharing public records — especially environmental documents — journalists need to hone their skills to get the information they need to do their jobs and serve their audiences. FOIA expert David Cuillier offers tips and tactics to help you use your reporting time and dollars most effectively and ensure your public records requests produce high-quality results.

IIJ Fall 2025 Business of Freelancing Course

The Institute for Independent Journalists' eight-week live, online course combines real-world strategy with personalized guidance, covering topics such as rate setting, finding new clients and long-term planning. One-hour classes take place Thursdays at 1 pm ET/10 am PT. Early bird registration ends Sep 19.

"Fat Bear Week Is Coming. Prepare To Binge On Bear Cams."

"Fat Bear Week, an online vote conducted via a single-elimination bracket, will take place from Sept. 23 to 30, the National Park Service announced Thursday."

Source: Washington Post, 09/08/2025

"Tracing The Brutal Paths Enslaved Took For Freedom In America"

"Leaving their farmhouse hideout at night, a band of wannabe saviors brimming with revolt made their way to a West Virginia hamlet one early October morning. But their plans soon went awry. Instead of seizing a federal weapons cache and inciting a massive resistance, the band wound up captured or killed by the U.S. government."

Source: National Parks Traveler, 09/08/2025

"Wildfire Fighters, Unmasked in Toxic Smoke, Are Getting Sick and Dying"

"The smoke from the wildfires that burned through Los Angeles in January smelled like plastic and was so thick that it hid the ocean. Firefighters who responded developed instant migraines, coughed up black goo and dropped to their knees, vomiting and dizzy."

Source: NYTimes, 09/08/2025

"Trump Wants Mining. Federal Mine Safety Workers Are On The Chopping Block."

"Federal scientists and engineers working to prevent deadly disasters and the spread of disease in miners could soon lose their jobs, even as President Donald Trump moves to supercharge U.S. production of coal and critical minerals."

Source: E&E News, 09/08/2025

"Rising Electric Bills Become Political Problem For Trump, GOP"

"Rising power prices are becoming a political liability for Republicans as electricity costs outpace inflation."

Source: The Hill, 09/08/2025

"1 In 4 Homes Face ‘Severe Or Extreme’ Climate Risks, Study Finds"

"More than a quarter of U.S. homes — worth a combined $12.7 trillion — are exposed to “severe or extreme climate risk,” according to a new Realtor.com analysis. The report examined threats from wildfires, floods and wind damage — hazards that have been top of mind after a string of recent disasters."

Source: The Hill, 09/08/2025

"Virginia’s Data Center Boom Tests Clean Energy Law"

"Known as the data center capital of the world, Virginia offers a crucial test case for electric utilities: Can they meet power demand from the explosion of AI while keeping bills affordable and slashing carbon emissions? Many experts fear that Dominion Energy, Virginia’s largest utility, is failing that test."

Source: Canary Media, 09/08/2025

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