This past week, journalists on the NICAR Listserv began discussing the most outrageous price quotes they’d received for open records requests. We wanted to share some of those on the blog, and the journalists on the listerv agreed. Here's a collection of some of the more expensive -- and unreasonable -- cost estimates journalists have received over the years. Do you have a story that should be on this list? Send it to web@ire.org.

• Lyra McKee, Canadian journalist for Mediagazer, was once quoted  £3,000 (nearly $4,800) for a request, which she later broke into separate smaller ...

Data Specialist (Dallas Morning News)

NEWSROOM DATA SPECIALIST 

The Dallas Morning News is hiring a newsroom data specialist to gather and analyze data with a focus on quick-hit investigations and watchdog stories. The data specialist will work with reporters across the newsroom, usually in a supporting role, to spin data straw into journalism gold. As part of a three-person data squad on the paper’s investigative projects team, the specialist also manages the newsroom’s extensive data library with the assistance of the data intern. The data specialist must have at least three years of journalism experience (preferably at a metro paper) including the use ...

"A federal judge has issued three key rulings over a four-year period that favored companies in which he owned stock, a California Watch analysis has found."

"Measures are in place to prevent judges from violating federal conflict-of-interest laws. But Judge Manuel Real, a 46-year veteran of the bench appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, appears to have skirted those safeguards, records and interviews show."

ENTER YOUR BEST INVESTIGATIVE WORK INTO THE 2012 IRE AWARDS, NOW ONLINE.

It’s that time of year again – time to consider entering your best work into the IRE Awards. Among the most prestigious in journalism, the IRE Awards recognize outstanding investigative reporting across all media. Eligible entries must have been published or aired between January 1 and December 31, 2012. The deadline for submissions is January 11, 2013. We are pleased to announce that you can now enter your work online.

For details on how to enter, go here. To view past winners, go here.

The Indianapolis Star
Star Watch Investigation: Vectren's costly coal deal is a profit for company, pain for ratepayers
“At a time when coal prices were at record highs, Vectren locked into expensive, multiyear agreements to buy almost all of its coal supply from its own wholly-owned mining subsidiary, Vectren Fuels. And ratepayers paid the price. Experts say Vectren disregarded the common industry practice of staggering its coal purchases through shorter-term contracts to hedge against unusually high prices.”

The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Highway Patrol discipline problems go beyond Lisa Steed
“While the case of Cpl. Lisa Steed, the one-time ...

Claims of rampant election fraud are the stated reasons that 37 state legislatures have passed or considered voter identification laws since 2010. But opponents counter that such laws would keep far more poor, minority, elderly and student voters away from the polls than they would stop illegal voters.

The News21 team decided that hard data was needed to report on this highly partisan national debate regarding whether voter fraud is affecting elections, and whether fraud could be prevented by these new laws.

As part of the News21 national investigation into voting rights in America, we took on the unprecedented task ...

New Jersey Transit placed much of its equipment in rail yards that forecasters predicted would flood after Hurricane Sandy, a move that damaged one third of its locomotives and a quarter of its passenger cars, according to a report from Reuters. The damage could cost tens of millions of dollars to repair, according to Reuters.

Content Producer (NBC Universal)

Content Producer, Consumer & Investigative

NBC Universal is now hiring Content Producer, Consumer & Investigative.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• NBC4 is looking for a hands-on Consumer and Investigative Content Producer to join our award winning News department
• Responsible for researching, writing, editing, producing and gathering content for investigative and consumer stories. Will work closely with management, editorial staff and reporters
• Responsible for creating daily consumer and investigative stories as well as long form reports
• Provide editorial guidance; establish contacts in the field, manage tips and public records requests, compose open records requests, and conduct interviews
• Take ownership for the overall coverage of investigative and ...