Forest collaboratives formed in the wake of the Pacific Northwest’s “Timber Wars” have become major power players operating largely out of the public eye
InvestigateWest is thrilled to announce Danielle Dawson as our new collaborative investigative reporter based in Oregon, where she will focus on the central and eastern regions of the state.
Dawson joins InvestigateWest through our partnership with Report for America, a national service program dedicated to placing talented journalists in local newsrooms to strengthen coverage of underserved communities. With a strong background in accountability and investigative journalism, Dawson is committed to telling overlooked stories and holding power accountable.
Most recently, Dawson served as a digital reporter at FOX 5 San Diego, where she reported extensively on politics, environmental issues and public safety. She quickly established herself as an insightful journalist known for breaking important local stories and adeptly navigating complex topics.
Previously, she produced investigative stories at inewsource, where she delivered impactful, data-driven journalism on critical issues like housing insecurity and COVID-19 policies.
“Danielle’s approach to investigative reporting and her skills in data journalism, multimedia storytelling and social media engagement make her an exceptional addition to the team,” said Executive Director Jacob Fries.
Dawson holds a master’s degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, specializing in social justice reporting and investigative techniques, and bachelor’s degrees from the University of California, Irvine, in literary journalism and dance.
In her new role with InvestigateWest, Dawson will collaborate closely with our newsroom partners across Oregon to uncover stories of significance, provide nuanced coverage of rural and underserved communities, and enhance our commitment to investigative journalism that drives positive change.
As an organization, InvestigateWest believes the most effective way to transform the region’s news ecosystem is through active collaboration, partnerships and talent development. In this way, InvestigateWest can serve as a potent "force multiplier,” supporting and uplifting investigative reporting in underserved communities across the Northwest. Dawson’s role is part of that larger effort to collaborate. She starts July 7.
InvestigateWest was formed in 2009, after the Seattle Post-Intelligencer stopped printing and a group of laid-off journalists set out to preserve the type of hard, labor-intensive investigative reporting that has been in decline. Over the years, InvestigateWest’s reporting has prompted scores of reforms, including more than a dozen state laws protecting the environment, workers and foster children.
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Forest collaboratives formed in the wake of the Pacific Northwest’s “Timber Wars” have become major power players operating largely out of the public eye
Cuts to Medicaid and a change restricting services for some immigrants loom over the state’s 27 community health centers.
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