Reuters reporters Peter Eisler and Grant Smith recently joined MuckRock to share what they learned building a nationwide database of local jail deaths. Here’s how you follow up with your own investigations.

In March, as government agencies closed or reconfigured operations at all levels, we paused our automated follow-up systems. Now that agencies are getting back to work at the new normal, we’re resuming our automated follow-up systems to ensure requests get a timely acknowledgment and response.

A few months ago, an agency we were talking to was struck by how MuckRock does user testing to improve our service. They wanted to know if we ever did user testing on agency acknowledgement letters. We hadn’t, but it seemed like a good idea — and now we have some interesting results to share.

MuckRock is looking for reporters to help us investigate public records in two places where in-state citizenship is required to access them: Alabama and Arkansas.

Sunshine Week is here and Spring is right around the corner. No better time to announce a brand new round of MuckRock swag!