Objective:
Secure a challenging and exciting position in journalism.
Experience:
The Houston Chronicle Houston, Texas November 2012 – Present
Investigative Reporter
► Reporter on major issues in the news, diving into breaking news events and pursuing answers to some of the leading questions that emerge, including who bears responsibility and how we can prevent problems from it happening again. Notable: Analysis of the devastating rains that killed 138 in Central Texas on July 4, 2025.
Transportation Writer
► Reporter on transportation issues related to commuting and movement in one of the fastest-growing, diverse and complex infrastructure areas of the country. Notable: Coverage of Houston’s funding challenges pertaining to explosive growth and a $7 billion-plus plan to remake one of the nation’s largest freeways.
► Beat responsibilities include county, state and federal policy, as well as social effects of commuting in area of 7 million people. Notable: Led coverage statewide on roadway safety of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, including transit’s lack of adequate safety planning and public education that led to action by state, local leaders.
► Co-lead writer of main stories related to landfall of Hurricane Harvey and flood aftermath in Houston area, finalist for 2018 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news.
The Press-Enterprise Riverside, Calif. April 2008- October 2012
Transportation Reporter
► Responsible for coverage of road, transit and airport reporting in suburban Los Angeles’ Inland Empire region, home the worst commute in the nation.
Notable: Coverage of $1.3 billion toll lane project and area’s first bus rapid transit system, as well as lapses in safety related to off-road desert races following a deadly crash.
The Morning News Fayetteville, Ark. November 2006- April 2008 City Hall reporter
► Municipal government reporter for dominant city in fast-growing metro region, with concentration on urban growth and development.
The Times Record Fort Smith, Ark. July 2005- November 2006 Regional Reporter
► Regional reporter for two-county, 100,000 population area, with focus on local enterprise, county politics and regional economic development.
Snitch Louisville, Ky. May 2003 – December 2004 Writer and editor
► Full-time reporter for crime-oriented weekly newspaper, with special emphasis on legal affairs and criminal trial procedure.
The Evening News Jeffersonville, Ind. June 1999 – May 2003 Reporter and editor
► City government beat for largest city, population 30,000. Responsible for public safety coverage. Covered county politics in 90,000-population region for two years.
Various freelance assignments January 1995 – 2008
► Freelanced for international, national and alternative outlets including: Reuters, Associated Press, New York Times, Chicago Reader and Westword.
dug begley 