Trevor Brown
Investigative journalist + developer + data visualizer
Building and delivering whether it's from the newsroom or terminal
About Me
I spent 15+ years chasing public records and holding power accountable.
Now I build interactive tools that transform complex data into clear insights. I turn government databases, public records and raw information into stories people can actually understand and use.
My work bridges investigative reporting and modern web development – building responsive sites, data visualizations and applications that turn raw data into understanding.
Whether I'm digging into public records or architecting a React application, my guiding principle is the same: make truth and information accessible and make the experience seamless.
Trevor Brown
Investigative journalist + developer + data visualizer
Building and delivering whether it's from the newsroom or terminal
About Me
I spent 15-plus years chasing public records and holding power accountable.
Now I build interactive tools that transform complex data into clear insights. I turn government databases, public records and raw information into stories people can actually understand and use.
My work bridges investigative reporting and modern web development – building responsive sites, data visualizations and applications that turn raw data into useful information.
Whether I’m reporting or coding, my guiding principle is the same: make truth and information accessible, keep the user experience seamless and ensure the end product feels useful.
Trevor Brown
Investigative journalist + developer + data visualizer
Building and delivering whether it's from the newsroom or terminal
About Me
I spent 15-plus years chasing public records and holding power accountable.
Now I build interactive tools that transform complex data into clear insights. I turn government databases, public records and raw information into stories people can actually understand and use.
My work bridges investigative reporting and modern web development – building responsive sites, data visualizations and applications that turn raw data into useful information.
Whether I’m reporting or coding, my guiding principle is the same: make truth and information accessible, keep the user experience seamless and ensure the end product feels useful.
Coding & Development
After 15-plus years in journalism, I bring an investigative approach to web development
Background
My journalism career began at Indiana University, where I led the student newspaper. I then spent 15-plus years reporting in several states. My most recent work was as the statehouse reporter for the Wyoming Tribune Eagle and as an investigative reporter with Oklahoma Watch, a nonprofit newsroom based out of Oklahoma City.
Looking to expand beyond reporting, I graduated from OU Outreach's Fullstack Academy Web Development Bootcamp, a 260-hour program that honed my skills in modern, full-stack web technologies.
Now I work at the intersection of journalism, technology, politics and AI.
Core Competencies
Core Technology Stack
Selected Projects
Keith Brown DDS: Dental Practice Website
Rebuilt a defunct dental practice site in Naperville with Next.js, adding a booking form, service information and a blog. Took over a $2,000/month Google Ads campaign and optimized it to more than triple new patient bookings.
My Expiry: Smart Food Waste Tracker
Developed My Expiry to track food freshness – users log groceries, get AI-powered shelf-life estimates and storage tips, and check expiration status.
ReflectYr: Social Platform for Film & TV
ReflectYr is a Letterboxd-style platform where users build movie and TV lists with TMDB data and get AI-powered watch recommendations. Features NextAuth.js for authentication and a PostgreSQL database for persistence.
ReStub
Built ReStub to help sports fans preserve their game day memories – users log details from MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL games they've attended, with AI automatically filling in missing scores, stats and game information. Features ticket stub recreation, experience cataloging, and persistent localStorage for saving memories across sessions.
Visualizations
Transforming complex datasets into clear, interactive visualizations
Background
I've always been a data-driven reporter – from learning Excel to building visualizations in Datawrapper, Tableau and Flourish. Visual storytelling has been a constant thread in my journalism career.
Now I use tools, including JavaScript and Python libraries, to transform datasets into stories that reveal patterns, trends and insights. Every chart and graphic is another way to tell a story.
Core Competencies
Technology Stack
Selected Visualizations
Which State Lawmakers Have the Biggest Campaign War Chests?
Infographic displaying campaign financial statuses of Oklahoma lawmakers in anticipation of re-election.
ICE Detainers Issued in Oklahoma
Chart showing trends of ICE detainers issued in Oklahoma from 2004, reflecting national trends.
Vaccination Rates By State
Map visualizing vaccination rates across states, emphasizing Oklahoma's below-average rates.
How The Proposed Redistricting Map Impacts OKC's Hispanic/Latino Population
Visual depiction of redistricting impacts on the Hispanic/Latino population in Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District.
Journalism
From city halls to state capitols, I've spent 15-plus years holding power accountable
Background
I was editor-in-chief of The Indiana Daily Student and graduated from Indiana University with bachelor's degrees in political science and journalism. Since then I've focused on government accountability and investigative reporting, most recently with Oklahoma Watch.
My reporting has led to policy changes, legislative reforms and increased government transparency. From exposing racial profiling patterns to investigating hospital billing practices, I've specialized in stories that serve the public interest and hold institutions accountable.
Recognition & Awards
2022
In-depth Enterprise and Investigative Reporting (First place)
As Some Oklahoma Churches Push Vaccines, Others Sow Misinformation, Doubt
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists
Government Reporting (First place)
No Comment: In Oklahoma’s Legislature, Public Rarely Given Chance to Weigh In
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists
Diversity Reporting (Third place)
Redistricting: Weighing the Impact of Splitting Oklahoma’s Largest Hispanic Community (co-byline)
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists
Great Plains Newspaper Writer of the Year (Finalist)
Multiple articles
Great Plains Journalism Awards
2021
Criminal Justice Reporting (First Place)
Twenty Years After It Became a Crime, Racial Profiling Charges Remain Scarce
Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists
Great Plains Newspaper Writer of the Year
Multiple articles
Great Plains Journalism Awards
Selected Articles
The Misinformation Election: Lies, Conspiracy Theories Prominent in Many Races
Exposed how election misinformation moved from margins to mainstream in Oklahoma's GOP races.
Twenty Years After It Became a Crime, Racial Profiling Charges Remain Scarce
Found that every one of dozens of racial profiling complaints over the years was dismissed as unsubstantiated by the agencies investigating themselves.
With Little Notice, Hospitals Sue Thousands of Oklahomans Over Unpaid Bills
A first-of-its-kind investigation revealed several Oklahoma hospitals were pursuing litigation at rates far exceeding their peers, often targeting vulnerable patients struggling with medical debt.
Memo: Troopers Must Hit Numbers
Wyoming Highway Patrol required troopers to meet citation quotas or face career consequences – policy rescinded after public backlash.
Contact
Open to freelance projects, consulting, and full-time opportunities
About Working Together
I'm available for freelance development projects, data visualization work and consulting on digital strategy. Whether you need a website built, data analyzed, or stories told through interactive graphics, I'd love to help bring your vision to life.
With my background bridging journalism and technology, I bring a unique perspective to projects that need both technical execution and clear communication. I specialize in turning complex information into accessible, engaging experiences.
I'm also open to full-time employment opportunities, especially those at the intersection of technology and journalism where I can leverage both skill sets to build meaningful products that inform and empower users.