I'm founder of the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism (www.WisconsinWatch.org), an independent nonprofit organization that produces journalism in the public interest with its partners -- Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Television and the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism & Mass Communication. WCIJ launched in January 2009 and is helping lead a new community-wide collaborative journalism project, known as All Together Now, examining barriers to obtaining health care and health insurance.

From 1991 to 2006, I was investigative reporter at the Wisconsin State Journal, and I was the newspaper's K-12 education reporter from 2006 to 2009. A former Investigative Reporters and Editors board member, I also worked from 1982 to 1990 at The Arizona Republic, where I helped break the "Keating Five" scandal. I am a mentor to La Comunidad newspaper in Madison. I have received more than 30 investigative, public service, financial, education and deadline coverage honors, including National Headliner, Gerald Loeb, Education Writers Association, Inland Press Association and James K. Batten awards.