AP to launch local investigative reporting program

In a memo to staff Thursday, executive editor Julie Pace announced AP will launch a local investigative reporting program led by Ron Nixon:

All,

I am excited to announce an important step we are taking to partner with our members and customers to support investigative work at the state and local level. 

We are launching a new Local Investigative Reporting Program to accelerate our longstanding efforts to support newsrooms across the U.S. The program will be led by Ron Nixon, who brings to the role deep experience leading global investigations and training journalists around the world.

Ron and his team will work with state and local outlets to cultivate stories and support their investigative reporting needs. This includes providing training for local newsrooms in areas such as open source investigative techniques; using AI for local investigations; producing localized investigative guides; connecting local newsrooms with AP editors and other subject matter experts; and working with AP’s data team to provide data analysis services, consultations and data distributions.

The creation of the Local Investigative Reporting Program builds on the work that’s been done by AP’s Local News Success Team to localize national stories for member audiences and provide services and support to newsrooms across the U.S. 

Ron is uniquely well-suited to take on this important new role. As one of our most innovative, strategic and thoughtful news leaders, Ron has guided some of AP’s most high-profile and award-winning investigative projects, always with an eye toward engaging digital audiences.

He will work alongside veteran investigative reporter and editor Justin Pritchard, who most recently oversaw the “Lethal Restraint” investigation, a collaboration with PBS Frontline and two university journalism schools. The reporting led to new national guidelines for how police and paramedics should apply less-lethal force.

Please join me in congratulating Ron on his new role and the creation of this important initiative for AP members and customers. 

Julie