
Sunlight Research Desk and MuckRock are joining forces to expand the tools, training and research support that help local newsrooms deliver high-impact reporting. Read more here.


Research Guide
The investigative journalists' cheat sheet to the best places on the web and beyond to find the facts and documents you need.
Substack
Media and Other Open Sources
Area of Investigation:
Social Media, Associated People
Supreme Court Gift Rules
Federal Records
Use this source to learn more about the regulations on gifts for Supreme Court Members. This website has information on the rules surrounding giving, solicitation, or acceptance of certain gifts by members of the judicial branch.
Area of Investigation:
Legislator Gifts, Political History
TLO
Proprietary Databases
TLO is a proprietary database that aggregates information from “credit headers,” or the portion of a credit report without financial information, as well as other public and private data. A TLO comprehensive report provides identifying details, address history, associated phone numbers and email addresses and possible employers, among other information. As a proprietary database, TLO is a secondary source, and anything significant in a TLO report must be verified independently. TLO data should only be used to identify leads for further investigation but never as an authoritative source itself. Because of the wide range of data that TLO provides, obtaining and reviewing a TLO report on an individual is almost always the first step to be taken in any new project. The database offers leads on an individual’s family connections, professional licenses, employment history and associated companies. It can also provide insights into the individual’s voter registration history, property ownership and vehicle registrations. For legal matters, TLO can offer leads on criminal cases, civil judgments, bankruptcy filings and traffic infractions.
Area of Investigation:
Background and Family, Professional History, Political History, Personal Finances, Civil Litigation and Criminal Cases
Tax Assessors
State and Local Records
Area of Investigation:
Professional History, Personal Finances, Associated People
Link will vary depending on jurisdiction.
Telegram
Media and Other Open Sources
Area of Investigation:
Social Media, Associated People
Texas Ethics Commission Lobby Database
State and Local Records
Visit Texas Ethics Commission's Lobby Database to search for lobby registrations and activities reports. Search lobby registration lists going back to 1999, and lobby activities lists dating back to 2005.
Area of Investigation:
Political History, Lobbying
TinEye
Media and Other Open Sources
Area of Investigation:
Background and Family, Educational History, Professional History, Political History, Civil Litigation and Criminal Cases, Nonprofits, Campaign Finance, Personal Finances, Social Media, Associated People
Trulia
Media and Other Open Sources
Area of Investigation:
Background and Family
Truth Social
Media and Other Open Sources
Area of Investigation:
Social Media, Associated People
Tumblr
Media and Other Open Sources
Area of Investigation:
Social Media, Associated People
Twitter/X
Media and Other Open Sources
Area of Investigation:
Social Media, Associated People
U.S. House Clerk Gift Travel Filings
Federal Records
Members of Congress are required to file reports that detail any travel-related expenses reimbursed by non-government sources. Use this database to search travel disclosure reports dating back to 2018. You can search by member name, travel dates, sponsor, or destination. The disclosure reports provide information on travel expenses, any accompanying individuals, destination, and purpose of travel.
Area of Investigation:
Legislator Gifts, Political History
U.S. House Gifts Guidance
Federal Records
The Committee on Ethics provides guidance on what gifts are and are not acceptable as a House Member. Various rules and clauses permit acceptance of certain gifts, such as food and refreshments or gifts from relatives and personal friends. Use this website to explore the exceptions applicable to U.S. House Members.
Area of Investigation:
Political History, Legislator Gifts
U.S. Senate Gift Rule/Outside Paid Travel Database
Federal Records
Use this database to search for travel reimbursements of Senators. Senators who plan to accept reimbursed travel are required to submit a travel package. When searching these documents, you can find information on the cost of travel, destination, dates, other individuals who accompanied the trip, and the private sponsors.
Area of Investigation:
Political History, Legislator Gifts
U.S. Tax Court
Federal Records
Area of Investigation:
Civil Litigation and Criminal Cases
US Coast Guard Port State Information Exchange
Federal Records
Area of Investigation:
Personal Finances
US Court of Federal Claims
Federal Records
Area of Investigation:
Civil Litigation and Criminal Cases
USASpending.Gov
Federal Records
Area of Investigation:
Professional History, Associated People
USPTO Patent Search
Federal Records
Area of Investigation:
Professional History, Associated People
USPTO Trademark Search
Federal Records
Area of Investigation:
Professional History