ABSTRACT
A small number of editors and reporters at The Chronicle in Muskegon, Michigan, use a range of computer tools and databases more often associated with larger news organizations in the Great Lakes region. However, small news organizations can also successfully use CAR. In recent years, the 55,000 evening circulation newspaper has developed local stories from information in numerous public databases obtained from state, county, and city government agencies through open records laws. Among them are the Michigan Department of Corrections Inmates database, bench warrants issued by area courts obtained from the sheriffs department, community service case tracking from the local courts, school district employee data, and Western Michigan fireFighters data.
