Pulitzer Prize-Winning Reporter Speaks on Cracking Open an On-Going Investigative Piece of Six Years

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State hosted Anna Wolfe, investigative reporter for Mississippi Today, in its annual Foster-Foreman Conference of Distinguished Writers on Oct. 23 at the HUB-Robeson Center.

Wolfe, one of two speakers featured in the conference, showcased her knowledge as an investigative journalist and offered students advice when going into the field.

“Find a niche that you’re passionate about and develop your sense of storytelling that’s unique to you,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe started the poverty beat when she arrived at Mississippi Today when she detected a need for in-depth coverage of the issue. She suggested students adopt an investigative mindset and do the same by finding a pattern within stories with little to no reporting.

This investigative mindset granted Wolfe her deep-dive investigation about welfare funds in Mississippi not going to the people who needed assistance. Wolfe spoke about her heavy reliance on records to initially crack open the story, noting they are key in an investigative piece.

Even when roadblocks appeared, like agencies stonewalling, Wolfe persisted because she knew the importance of stories on the issues at hand.

“The public, especially Mississippi, hasn't really seen this before, they’re hungry for it,” Wolfe said. “I’m hungry for it as a result of that.”

In her presentation, Wolfe included an unexpected anecdote about her decision to go to the yard sale of Nancy New, a public figure involved in the scandal. She mentioned calling up a colleague from the Clarion Ledger, her main competition covering the story, to go with her.

“We were coming at it from two different places,” Wolfe said.

This yard sale interview opened her eyes to the different perspectives they held on the same story. While Wolfe dissected the story from a policy standpoint, her colleague spun it politically.

Wolfe credits this ongoing investigative piece about welfare funds for her current style of storytelling. She advised students to report on something they’re passionate about to find their voice.

Cassie Baylis is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email ceb6085@psu.edu.