Karim Doumar was the Deputy Newsletter Editor with ProPublica.
Karim Doumar
Deputy Newsletter Editor
How to “Follow the Money” in a Political Campaign
Campaign contributions can be a confusing web of super PACs, FEC filings and dark money. That’s why we’re covering how campaign finance works in this edition of our User’s Guide to Democracy.
How to Follow Your Congressional and Local Elections in 2022
From competitiveness ratings to campaign contributions, there’s a lot to follow in local and down-ballot elections. Learn how to decipher election coverage in this edition of the User’s Guide to Democracy.
How to Outsmart Election Disinformation
The 2022 midterms are here, and so too is a wave of concerning new mis- and disinformation trends. Here’s how to tell the two apart — and what you and your loved ones can do to avoid falling for them.
Who Is My Member of Congress? Here’s How to Find Out What Your Reps Have Been Up To.
Your representative is on the ballot in 2022 and your senator may be too. Here are some ways to see what your elected officials have been up to — as well as some background on how lawmaking works (and what it looks like when it doesn’t).
How to Vote in Person or by Mail
Keep up with the latest changes to the voting process in your state for the 2022 elections, and make a plan if you want to cast your ballot early — either in person or by mail.
What Does the 2022 Election Mean for You?
Get ready for the midterm elections with our User’s Guide to Democracy.
Here’s How We Analyzed the Data Underlying Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s Claims About His Border Initiative
A meticulous review of arrest and charging data from Operation Lone Star, a Texas border security initiative, raised more questions than it answered.
If the Kids Had Been White, Would Any of This Have Happened?
After Black children were arrested for a crime that didn't exist, we wanted to understand the scope of the problem. Here's how we used data, documents and other forms of reporting to investigate.
Protect Yourself From Salmonella Over the Holidays
Because talking politics with your family is the only thing that should ruin your festivities.
How We Report on Pain, Death and Trauma Without Losing Our Humanity
Investigative reporting can mean bearing witness to the worst moments of people’s lives. Here’s how some of our journalists approach the gut-wrenching task of writing about suffering.
Making Life-or-Death Health Care Decisions
An investigation into quality problems with a heart pump shows how hard it can be for patients to get the information they need to make life’s most important health care decisions.
Are Unemployment Benefits Taxed?
Unemployment benefits are subject to both state and federal income taxes, but it’s not always straightforward. Here’s how to avoid a surprise tax bill.
What Forms Do I Need to File My Taxes and Where Can I Get Them?
For 2021, the tax deadline for individuals was extended to May 17. This list highlights the most common tax forms and which ones you might need, depending on your circumstances.
When Are Taxes Due?
In response to another complicated tax year, the IRS has extended the deadline for individual tax filing from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021.
Where Is My Tax Refund?
For many Americans, hitting “submit” isn’t the last step in the tax-filing process. Here’s what you need to know about checking your return’s status, reasons it may be delayed and the truth about companies that promise quick cash during tax season.
What Are 2020’s Tax Brackets, and Will I Get Audited?
Knowing your income is just the first step to understanding how much you will be taxed. This guide will help you understand how the U.S. tax system works and where you fit into it.
What Is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and Do I Qualify for It?
The earned income tax credit is meant to reduce the amount that low- and moderate-income Americans have to pay in taxes — and it can sometimes result in a refund. Figuring out whether you qualify can be confusing. This guide can help.
How to File Your State and Federal Taxes for Free in 2021
TurboTax and other tax prep services advertise themselves as “free,” but we found several ways that they tricked people into paying. Here’s our guide to preparing and filing your 2020 taxes without falling into that trap.
ProPublica’s Top 25 Stories of 2020
Our list of the year’s most-read stories contains deeply unsettling investigations from a deeply unsettling year.
Have You Experienced Sexual Misconduct at an Illinois University or College? We Want to Hear From You.
We’d like to hear about your experience with misconduct on campus, or if you were subjected to it but did not or could not file a report. We need help understanding flaws in the systems intended to hold perpetrators accountable.
