Here’s a look at what we’ve been reading and scrolling through lately: document-rich investigations, special education in Texas, the boundaries of the South, the pros and cons of urban cycling, and more.

Because Scott Walker Asked

(Guardian, September 14, 2016)
A huge investigation into a trove of leaked docs and a heap of money. The primary sources on DocumentCloud reveal the financial transactions and personal interactons that buoyed Wisconsin governor Scott Walker’s efforts to stay in office.

Is Urban Cycling Worth the Risk?

(Financial Times, September 2, 2016)
The joy of urban cycling doesn’t come without risks, which vary dramatically based on where you’re located, how often you cycle, and more. This report helps weigh the burned calories versus the brutal collisions.

Denied

(Houston Chronicle, September 11, 2016)
A powerful investigation and takedown of Texas’s approach to special education in public schools—supported by docs on DocumentCloud.

Thanks to an arbitrary target imposed more than a decade ago, Texas now gives special education services to a lower percentage of students than any other state.

Denver Crimes

(Denver Post, last updated September 14, 2016)
Simple facts stand front-and-center: Is crime up or down? Comprehensive data fills the rest of this app, with context and frequently updated stats.

The Uncounted

(Reuters, September 7, 2016)
A meticulously researched report on how superbugs are slipping under the radar.

In a more than yearlong investigation, Reuters used court records, news reports, patient advocacy organizations and Web searches to identify individuals who had died of antibiotic-resistant infections and then contacted relatives to obtain death certificates and medical records.

Which States Do you Think Belong in the South?

(Vox, September 13, 2016)
In a year full of contentious topics, regional boundaries remain a classic conversation-starter. This interactive follows a similar piece earlier this year, asking readers to define which states make up the Midwest.

Even More

How to build a presidential design system (with a delightful name, no less.) How to spy on a cell phone. How to use public data to track police responses to sexual assault. The faces of a protest on the Plains. What it’s like to live inside good design.

Here at OpenNews, we’re wishing everyone a happy and enlightening few days at ONA in Denver, with safe travels all around. Let’s talk soon: Our next Community Call is Thursday, September 22 at noon ET.

• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook