articles

I write and research a wide array of issues related to social policy and am particularly interested in education and criminal justice issues. I also do a lot of computer-assisted reporting, studying budgets, evaluating statistics, mining government databases. My articles have been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Smithsonian, Slate, US News and World Report, and Washington City Paper. Below is a selection of works.

August 1, 2004 — US News and World Report

A New Law Put to the Test

April 23, 2009 — US News and World Report

Middle-class blues. A new federal education law is finding failing schools in a surprising place: the suburbs

September 23, 2009 — US News and World Report

On the Bargain Express: The route to a college degree may pass through two-year schools, ROTC, or Mom's kitchen.

October 1, 2002 — US News and World Report

Secret Agent. This reporter enrolled in an online class on mystery fiction, and lived to tell the tale.

August 1, 2004 — US News and World Report

Who Fits Those Bills? Sure, science benefits from corporate funding, but at what cost?

May 1, 2002 — US News and World Report

Black Man’s Burden: The Scottsboro travesty of 1931 did not end scapegoating of African-Americans.

May 1, 2009 — US News and World Report

Crime and Picasso: The shadowy underworld of art theft.

March 1, 2006 — Washington City Paper

Fate’s Witness: Shopping for groceries, I saw a man’s final moments.

March 31, 2010 5:45 AM — Forbes

No Justice For Stolen Art

March 31, 2010 5:43 AM — AOL

Time To Get Smart About Crime, Op-ed

August 1, 2004 — US News and World Report

A New Take On Grant.

May 1, 2007 — Smithsonian

Galena, Illinois

December 1, 2006

Hiking With Hannibal: Hot on the Icy Trail of an Ancient General.

January 1, 2004 — US News and World Report

The Sorry Legacy of the Founding Fathers.

January 1, 2005 — US News and World Report

The Vikings: Why didn’t they settle America?

September 1, 2003 — US News and World Report

A Man Of Letters

January 1, 2006 — US News and World Report

And Now... Aryan Rap

June 1, 2008 — Smithsonian

Diamonds on Demand

February 1, 2007 — Slate

Every Bite You Take: How Sysco came to monopolize most of what you eat.