Latest works
Is your bank getting stronger or weaker?, Seattle Times, March 26, 2010. I created this data visualization with Tableau, a web-based tool, to accompany my colleague's story about local banks' struggles.
UW project explores Great Depression's impact on state, Seattle Times, Feb. 19, 2010.
Foreclosure-prevention programs get $900,000 from state, Seattle Times, Feb. 11, 2010.
Time crunch for recyclers crushing vehicles in "cash for clunkers" program, Seattle Times, B1, Jan. 28, 2010. This story was accompanied by a photo gallery and video, thanks to my talented colleagues Alan Berner and Genevieve Alvarez. The federal government announced the next day an extension to its deadline.
Assessor candidate Hara lacks permit for home remodel, Seattle Times, B1, Oct. 28, 2009. I broke this story through interviews and city records.
Deadline reporting
Two UW departments failed to report stalker threats, Seattle Times, A1, April 5, 2007. My pointed questioning elicited a surprising admission from the University of Washington's human-resources executive and a scoop for my paper. Months later, the state fined the UW for its role in the tragedy.
Racial tiebreaker will stand, Seattle Times, B1, Oct. 21, 2005. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ruled on this case.
Space Shuttle Columbia disaster: 'Columbia is lost,' The Palm Beach Post, A1, Feb. 2, 2003.
Investigative reporting
Home building boom relies on illegal workers, Seattle Times, A1, Sept. 17, 2006.
More perks thrown in to attract school chiefs, Seattle Times, Nov. 15, 2005.
'Get the Lead Out' lost steam in Seattle schools, Seattle Times, B1, July 4, 2004.
Pharmaceutical marketing practices, Palm Beach Post, 2000.
Feature and beat reporting
Case shows how real-estate insiders scammed the system for profit, Seattle Times, A1, Feb. 27, 2009. As millions of loans default and go into foreclosure, banks are discovering massive mortgage fraud and inundating law-enforcement agencies with cases.
New Fremont park is an eye-popper, Seattle Times, A1, Oct. 30, 2007. The story behind the opening of an amazing park in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood.
Giving everyone a sidewalk is no walk in the park, Seattle Times, A1, Aug. 21, 2007. Why a sidewalk isn't just a sidewalk in Seattle.
How other cities handle clash of clubs and condos, Seattle Times, A1, Aug. 7, 2007. An explanatory piece that shed light during the city's debate over nightlife.
Fitness plan gives dogs at shelter new chance, Seattle Times, B1, June 26, 2007. A popcorn feel-good story.
Pedestrian safety becomes personal for councilman, Seattle Times, A1, Feb. 24, 2007.
Seattle School Board races and campaign finance, Seattle Times, 2005.
Data-driven news stories
Dog-attack victims wait days or weeks for response, Seattle Times, A1, Sept. 13, 2009. King County Animal Care and Control's ability to respond to calls of vicious dogs and dog bites has deteriorated in recent years. This story was published with a sidebar - Vicious dogs quietly moved to new homes - and a video and database lookup. My colleague, Justin Mayo, cleaned and analyzed the data. Soon after the story was published, King County leaders announced they were closing the agency and planned to hand off its responsibilities to contractors.
Local foreclosures soar threefold in two years, Seattle Times, A1, April 26, 2009. How the surge in foreclosures is playing out in one neighborhood. This multi-media package includes photos, Flash interactives and a video.
Washington bankruptcy filings rise 40%, Seattle Times, A1, Nov. 24, 2008. This year's growth rate is on pace to be the highest since at least 1991. A cool Flash map displays county bankruptcy statistics.
Will closing school doors open others? Seattle Times, B1, Jan. 21, 2006. After compiling databases and working with a web designer, I gave readers a way to compare school programs and facilities and reach their own conclusions about which Seattle schools should be closed to balance the budget.
Schoolkids see success in learning English, Seattle Times, B1, Jan. 3, 2006.
A new way of judging how well schools are doing, Seattle Times, A1, Aug. 28, 2005. Value-added data may improve accountability, but not without controversy.
Florida's insurance crisis: Boy's case illustrates malpractice crisis, Palm Beach Post, A1, June 15, 2003. My analysis of state and national databases led me to this finding: Of the 15,000 people who filed malpractice claims in Florida during the 1990s, about half received no payment. Of those who did get paid, half were awarded less than $125,000, and three-quarters received less than $250,000.
Multimedia
I Am A Journalist, produced for AAJA Seattle's Northwest Journalists of Color scholarship reception, June 9, 2009. My role in this production was small, as a supervising producer. Amy Phan did a remarkable job cutting the video.
Remembering Vu, produced for AAJA Seattle's Northwest Journalists of Color scholarship reception, June 9, 2009.
Online mapping tool promotes bike safety, Seattle Times, B1, May 28, 2009. With summer here, thousands are riding their bikes. The Cascade Bicycle Club has launched a new mapping tool that lets cyclists self-report bike crashes, road hazards and bike thefts all in one place. The story is accompanied by a video, the first I've shot entirely with a Flip Video Camcorder.
Georgetown worries it'll be the next big thing, Seattle Times, A1, March 26, 2008.
Cadillac of worms rules as an urban composter, Seattle Times, B1, July 15, 2008. Meet the new goldfish of urban hipsters.
Bronzeville grasps for old glory, Hot Chai Media, July 2008.
Fremont Solstice Parade audio slideshow, Hot Chai Media, June 2008.
Other articles
"Useful Lessons From Reporting the Anthrax Story," Nieman Reports, p. 14, Vol. 57, No. 1, Spring 2003.
Special skills
Multimedia: Video/audio production, Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Flash, Photoshop, HTML/CSS. Data mining (Access, SPSS), mapping (ArcGIS, Google API), and statistical analysis (Excel, SPSS). Languages: Spanish.