ProPublica Hires Computational Journalist to Uncover New Insights with Data-Driven Storytelling

Nick McMillan Joins ProPublica as Computational Journalist ProPublica has hired Nick McMillan as a computational journalist on its data and news apps team, bringing his expertise in using cutting-edge technology to uncover stories that were previously out of reach. McMillan joins the organization from NPR, where he worked as a data journalist on the investigations team. According to Ken Schwencke, senior editor for data and news applications at ProPublica, "Nick has an impressive track record of using advanced technology to unlock reporting paths. I'm excited for him to use those skills to hold power to account at ProPublica." McMillan's work at NPR included combining reporting with data analysis, building tools that transformed raw records into evidence for investigations. One notable example of his work was developing a custom optical character recognition program to parse more than 7,000 government work task files. This effort helped reveal how a federal program was killing thousands of wild animals with little accountability. McMillan also co-reported a story exposing how power lines operated by Southern California Edison sparked new fires as crews battled existing ones. He created a tool that processed and transcribed over 2,000 hours of first responder radio into searchable, timestamped audio. McMillan's background in data journalism is marked by innovative uses of technology to uncover stories. At NPR, he worked with large datasets, developing tools to extract insights from complex information. His expertise will be valuable at ProPublica, where the organization continues to push the boundaries of investigative reporting through its use of data and technology. ProPublica's commitment to using data-driven journalism has led to numerous high-profile investigations and exposés in recent years. The organization's work has had significant real-world implications, from revealing widespread corruption to prompting policy changes at the state and federal levels. As McMillan joins ProPublica, he brings a unique set of skills that will enable him to tackle complex stories with innovative approaches. His experience working with large datasets and developing custom tools will be invaluable in uncovering new reporting paths. With his hiring, ProPublica continues to demonstrate its commitment to using technology to drive investigative journalism forward. As the organization looks to the future, McMillan's expertise will play a key role in shaping the next wave of data-driven investigations. ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative reporting on issues such as government accountability, corporate malfeasance, and social justice. The organization has won numerous awards for its work, including six Pulitzer Prizes since 2009. *Reporting by Propublica.*