It has been just four days since I launched HEAT CITY, and already the response has been overwhelming. Many of you have sent e-mails, tweets and Facebook messages with your well wishes. Some of you have offered your support in other ways, like passing along story tips and leads. The ABC affiliate in Phoenix, KNXV-TV (Channel 15) is bringing me on its Daybreak show tomorrow morning for the third-straight day to talk about the Serial Shooter trial, which represents the main thrust of my coverage so far.
Early this morning, shortly after wrapping up things on television and before heading to the trial, I added a little button to the right-hand column of the site. It asks you to help support my work in another way: financially.
The idea behind it is that quality, in-depth reporting takes time and money. The broadband card I use to access the internet in the courtroom, for instance, costs $40 a month. Government agencies in Arizona charge as much as 50 cents a page for public records. And sometimes, you just have to buy a source lunch to get the inside track on a big story. (Some of the biggest stories of my career have been spilled over burgers or beers.)
In this case, I hope the reporting on HEAT CITY benefits its readers with some insight and a few surprises. And so, I’m asking you to support it with a little cash. In exchange, I’m going to occasionally give you a public accounting of my expenses. You’ll know exactly how much money I spend on records, meals, parking, and the like. It’s the ultimate transparency. Also, whether you’re a contributor or not, I answer to you. So ask, criticize and suggest away. Send me a correction if I make a mistake in a post. Let me know if you read something you like. And while you’re at it, tell a friend or two about HEAT CITY.
Without further delay, here are my expenses so far:
Cricket broadband Internet access card and setup: $149.81
Heatcity.org domain registration: $15.19
Serialshooter.com domain registration (points to trial coverage): $10.19
Website hosting, one year: $79.63
Transportation to and parking at courthouse: $35
Total: $289.75
This does not take into account rent, electricity and insurance at my shared Tempe apartment or the cell phone that most of my sources use to reach me.
The service I’m using to accept donations is PayPal, which I hope you already know and trust. It lets you donate amounts as low as $1 to help support HEAT CITY and Arizona journalism
Editor’s note:
No sooner did I start composing this post than I received my first donation: $20 from a Phoenix area journalist. We’re on our way! Thank you.