Theodore Merrefield, Author at The Journalist's Resource

How newspaper reporters help my community

by Theodore Merrefield | May 11, 2023

A first grade student interviews a local reporter to find out how news stories get made and why community journalism is vital to civic engagement.

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Economics, Media, Politics & Government

Public funding for sports stadiums: A primer and research roundup

April 10, 2024

Team owners looking to build or revamp big league sports stadiums often seek public funds in the hundreds of millions of dollars. But research conducted over decades indicates these investments almost never lead to massive economic gains for host cities.

Politics & Government, Race & Gender

How voter registration rules discourage some Americans from voting: An explainer and research roundup

March 12, 2024

A big reason voter registration rates vary so much in the U.S. is because states have their own election policies and processes, which can make registering easy or difficult. Election offices also differ in how they educate voters.

Criminal Justice, Politics & Government

Felony disenfranchisement in the US: An explainer and research roundup

March 4, 2024

People incarcerated for felony convictions lose the right to vote across most of the U.S., but specifics vary widely by state. We break down the nuances and recent trends — and highlight six studies journalists covering the topic should know.