Hello

This is an inactive blog archiving some of my past work.

You can find my recent articles for The Detroit News here.

Follow me on Twitter @ChadLivengood.

A new gig

As first reported on Twitter, I'll be leaving the Springfield News-Leader in May for a new job at The News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware.

At the The News Journal, I'll be covering Delaware's largest county (New Castle) and have a chance to do more in-depth investigative reporting on a statewide scale. 

There's a hot U.S. Senate race in Delaware to fill Vice President Joe Biden's old seat that I'll also be helping cover.

I really enjoy my job here in Missouri as the News-Leader's statehouse and politics reporter.  But it's a taxing lifestyle of driving back and forth from Springfield to Jefferson City five months a year (those who are married will understand what I mean by that statement).

This new position will afford me the chance to work at a bigger paper, move up in the Gannett Company, live on the East Coast and learn a few new tricks of the trade.  My wife already has a few trips to Washington, Philadelphia and Boston planned. Maybe we'll even check out New York City!

I will continue to report from Jefferson City for the News-Leader until the legislative session ends on May 14 (assuming the legislature can pass a balanced budget by then and doesn't plunge into a special session).

Then I'm headed east.

Until then, send me some tips at clivengood@gmail.com.

Thank you everyone for the kind words and feedback on Twitter, Facebook and via email.

-Chad

Missourinet interview

Missourinet interviewed me about my thoughts on what to expect in the 2010 session of the Missouri General Assembly:

Chad Livengood, Springfield News-Leader from Steve Mays on Vimeo.

2009: Archived Springfield News-Leader articles by Chad Livengood

July 29, 2009: E-mails suggest DNR shared E. coli report; Agency previously said only it was involved in delaying data's release.

August 14, 2009: Attorney General Chris Koster: Sunshine Law not violated in E. coli case; No evidence DNR broke law because no request was filed, official says

August 17, 2009: Critics: Attorney general's ruling on DNR stifles public records access

Sept. 25, 2009: Ex-official: Top Nixon aide knew of E. coli levels; Medley, formerly of DNR, says she told Nixon aide of high levels on May 29.

Gannett 2009 News MVP award

For 2009, I was selected as one of Gannett's 15 News MVP award winners.

From Gannett:

Chad Livengood, Local Reporter/News, News-Leader, Springfield

Chad is recognized for his work in explaining the importance of state and federal government issues to readers. He uncovered problems with high levels of e.coli bacteria at the Lake of the Ozarks, which resulted in the governor suspending the Department of Natural Resources director. His report on the disparity between what politicians were saying about creation of jobs from federal stimulus spending funds and the actual results drew national attention. An investigation into how the state awarded lucrative motor vehicle license bureau contracts showed discrepancies in the process and resulted in the state pulling 10 local contracts. In each case, Chad used blogs and social networks to expand his sourcing and reporting techniques.

The judges said: “Chad is a leader among reporters. His willingness to step in wherever needed shows discipline, a commitment to quality and support of his colleagues. The work that Chad has produced has given taxpayers the information they need to hold leaders accountable.”

2008: Archived Springfield News-Leader articles by Chad Livengood

Springfield News-Leader:

May 17, 2008: Analysis: 'Village law' may define Jetton's legacy; Cloud of controversy loomed over House speaker's final year.

June 1, 2008: Power struggles and secrets; 'Village law' exposes both during legislative session hijacked by repeal fight.

June 1, 2008: 'Village law' missing from key documents

July 6, 2008: Villages test law's merits; Motivations differ among those who won incorporation.

Video report:

 

2006-2008: Jackson Citizen Patriot

July 30, 2006: Felon kept job after principal got notice

Dec. 3, 2006: CLASSROOM DISPARITY: Educators with least experience teaching low-income students

April 29, 2007: Community college chief used fund for booze, donations

August 26, 2007: Are big benefits healthy?

Sept. 2, 2007: Lotto no jackpot for schools: Profits account for only 5.7% of funding

Jan. 20, 2008: Are teacher sick days taking a bite out of education?

Here is a link to several other articles I wrote as an education reporter at the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot fro March 2006 to March 2008.

Photos of me on the beat

Photo by Amber Arnold-Jensen, Springfield News-Leader

Photo by Amber Arnold-Jensen, Springfield News-Leader

Photo credit: U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton's office

Photo credit: KY3 News

LA Times: Don't count out the regional reporters

Los Angeles Times media critic James Rainey interviewed me for an August 10, 2008 column on how regional media outlets cover visits from presidential candidates:

From his column:

Not all local interviewers are so unctuous. Take Chad Livengood, who encountered McCain at a June rally in Missouri.

The Springfield News-Leader statehouse reporter heard McCain tout his plan for a gas tax holiday, then concede afterward, in another one of those short interviews, that the proposal had very little chance of making it through Congress.

"He was promising it up on the stage, but behind the scenes he was admitting it wouldn't go anywhere," the 25-year-old reporter said.

So Livengood let his readers know about the discrepancy. And his story described how some economists doubted the tax cut would make a significant difference.

Sometimes campaigns dial for dummies and end up reaching sharpies.