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.

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.”

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.