In this episode, host Rebecca Snyder is joined by Brandi Swicegood from the Sunlight Research Center, an organization dedicated to deep background research on political candidates. Brandi shares her expertise as a veteran investigative journalist and explains how her team is helping under-resourced newsrooms uncover crucial details about political figures through innovative research techniques. They discuss the importance of building timelines, tracking financial disclosures, and how the Sunlight Research Center is empowering journalists to ask the right questions, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. Learn about tools like Klaxon Cloud, personal financial analysis, and the center's research help desk, which is providing essential support to newsrooms across the country. Whether you're a journalist, an informed voter, or just curious about how investigative reporting works behind the scenes, this episode offers a fascinating deep dive into the art of political vetting and transparency.

Tune in to discover how this work helps ensure voters have the information they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

In this episode, host Rebecca Snyder sits down with Pat Reynolds, the President and Executive Director of the Council on State Taxation (COST), to discuss the growing trend of advertising and service taxes across the U.S. They explore how states like Maryland have implemented digital advertising taxes and the broader implications for businesses and consumers alike. Pat offers insights into the legal challenges surrounding these taxes, the impact on both large and small businesses, and why transparent and fair tax policies are crucial for a healthy economy. Tune in to learn about the latest in state taxation, the complexities of administering advertising taxes, and what the future holds for this controversial issue.

In this episode of the Member Spotlight, Rebecca Snyder sits down with Lara Lutz, editor of the Bay Journal, to discuss the publication’s role in environmental journalism across the Chesapeake Bay region. Covering parts of six states and Washington, D.C., the Bay Journal has been providing crucial reporting on the restoration of the Bay and environmental issues for over 30 years. Learn about the challenges of nonprofit journalism, the evolution of environmental reporting, and how the Bay Journal collaborates with local news outlets to keep the public informed.