Agnel Philip
I’m a data reporter at ProPublica.
Need to Get in Touch?
I welcome any tips regarding interesting datasets or issues you believe haven’t gotten enough coverage.
What I Cover
I dig deep into datasets to document and uncover waste, fraud, abuse and harm. I’ve covered a wide range of topics, from child welfare to flight tracking to water quality, using publicly available, internal and sometimes self-created databases. I am especially passionate about covering issues affecting local communities, as I did on projects about the decadeslong failure of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to return Native Hawaiians to ancestral lands and about the practice of jailing those awaiting treatment for mental illness in Mississippi.
My Background
Prior to joining ProPublica, I was a data reporter on the investigations team at The Arizona Republic, where I investigated tribal casinos, pedestrian safety and consumer issues. I have two degrees in journalism and economics from Arizona State University.
Mandatory Reporting Was Supposed to Stop Severe Child Abuse. It Punishes Poor Families Instead.
After the Sandusky child abuse scandal rocked Pennsylvania, the state required more professionals to report suspected child abuse. That led to a strained child welfare system and more unsubstantiated reports against low-income families.
Help Us Investigate Termination of Parental Rights in the Child Welfare System
If you’ve faced having your parental rights terminated in the past decade, ProPublica and NBC News would like to connect with you to understand how your case was handled.
The COVID Testing Company That Missed 96% of Cases
State and local officials across Nevada signed agreements with Northshore Clinical Labs, a COVID testing laboratory run by men with local political connections. There was only one problem: Its tests didn’t work.
Profitable Utility Company Shut Off Electricity to Homes Thousands of Times
Three months into the pandemic, Michigan’s largest power company began ramping up power shut-offs for customers behind on their bills.
Local Reporting Network
FAA Suggests Steps to Improve Aviation Safety in Alaska. Some Experts Say They’re Not Enough.
In a recently released report, the FAA recommended safety measures to address Alaska’s high share of aircraft accidents.
Local Reporting Network
Searching for Solutions to Alaska’s High Rate of Deadly Air Crashes
Our investigation revealed that Alaska has a growing share of the country’s deadly crashes from small commercial flights. Here’s what experts say could be done to improve aviation safety in the state.
Local Reporting Network
Fatal Crash Renews Concerns About Safety of Alaska Aviation
A sightseeing flight near Ketchikan, Alaska, crashed last week, killing the pilot and five passengers. So far this year, 13 people have died in three crashes of small commercial planes.
Local Reporting Network
In Alaska, Commercial Aviation Is a Lifeline. The State Is Also Home to a Growing Share of Deadly Crashes.
The state’s terrain and infrastructure pose unique challenges. Some say the FAA has been slow to account for the hazards.
Local Reporting Network
What We Know About Alaska’s Recent Series of Fatal Flight Collisions
In the past five years, Alaska had five fatal midair collisions involving commercial operators. The rest of the U.S. hasn’t had any since 2009.
Local Reporting Network
How We Tallied Alaska Aviation Deaths
Although Alaska has seen a spate of midair collisions in recent years, detailed analyses of crash patterns involving small commercial aircraft have been limited. Our investigation bridges some of these gaps.
Local Reporting Network