Corrections & ethics

Correction policy

If a published story contains an error of fact, we correct it in place and add a dated correction note at the bottom of the story. We do not silently edit, and we do not delete the original wording — the note explains what was changed and when.

Anonymous sources

We use them sparingly. When we do, we explain in the story why the source is unnamed and what corroborating evidence supports the claim.

Crime reporting standards

• Charged ≠ convicted. We say "charged with" or "accused of" until a conviction. We update stories when charges are dropped or pleaded down.
• Victims. We do not name living crime victims without their explicit consent, and never name juveniles involved in non-public-record matters.
• Suspects. Names are published only after formal charges from a court of competent jurisdiction.

Conflicts of interest

Editorial staff have no financial interest in the businesses or local-government bodies we cover. If a conflict arises (a reporter's relative is involved in a story, for example), we either decline to cover the story or disclose the relationship in a note at the bottom.

Contact for corrections

Email [email protected] or use the tip form and mark the topic as "Other."