James Bruggers has worked for more than 30 years as a reporter in Montana, Alaska, Washington, California and Kentucky, covering coal, energy, air quality, water quality, and local and state government environmental agencies, as well as some general assignment. For about 20 years, James has been an active SEJ member, including serving as the SEJ president who helped spearhead SEJ's awards, endowment and Freedom of Information programs. He has not missed an Annual Conference since 1994. He is on staff at The (Louisville) Courier-Journal, Kentucky's largest news organization, and has written a daily blog, Watchdog Earth, since 2006.