Reporter’s Toolbox
September 23, 2015Below you’ll find a list of links I regularly use in the course of researching stories and people. I plan to update this list regularly. Keep in mind that data of any sort is open to interpretation, so use it carefully. If you have any specific questions about the use of a search tool or database, hit me up in the comments.
Power Tools
Search patents, court cases and SEC filings simultaneously, set up alerts for searches.
Business
Business entity and incorporation searches by state
Securities and Exchange Commission
Charities
National Center for Charitable Statistics
Deep Web Search
Experts
General
Free public records (Don’t use anything with a green check mark, that leads to a paid service)
Google book and magazine search
International
Legal
Case checker (Free but not always up to date)
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
National court database (Requires paid access)
Open Records
Guide to Open Records by state
Federal Open Records request letter generator
State Open Records request letter generator
Patents/Trademarks/Copyright
U.S. Trademark and Patent database
People
U.S. Military Award for Valor database
Photo
Politics
Library of Congress legislation database
