We don't ask you to take our word for it. We show you the records.
Anacortes Breaking is an independent newsroom reporting on the officials, agencies and money that shape public decisions on Fidalgo Island.
Who we are
We publish one major investigation each week, plus the records, datasets and vote tables behind it. We cover the City Council, the Port, the School Board and the people and companies who do business with them.
We are not affiliated with any party, campaign, agency or business we cover. Staff do not donate to local candidates or causes.
Funding & independence
[FUNDING DISCLOSURE — how the newsroom is funded, and every donor above a stated threshold, by name.]
Who's behind Anacortes Breaking
Anacortes Breaking is produced by Datrinsic, an independent data and research company.
Our reporting is built on public records analyzed with Datrinsic's data tools. Campaign filings, contracts, meeting minutes and corporate records are collected, matched and checked before a reporter writes a sentence. The Network Explorer is powered by that same data.
The tools find the records. Our verification standards, below, decide what we publish, and every record stays linked so you can check our work.
www.datrinsic.comHow we verify information
Every factual claim we publish is tied to a record, an on-the-record source, or both. Our standards:
- 1
Documents first
Factual claims cite a primary record. The citation chip beside each claim opens the record itself, not a summary of it.
- 2
Authenticate before we publish
Leaked or tipped documents are confirmed with the issuing agency, a second source, or matching public records before we rely on them.
- 3
Two people read every number
Figures are recalculated from source data by a second staff member, and our analysis code is published with each data story.
- 4
Everyone named gets to respond
We contact every person and organization named in an investigation at least 72 hours before publication and publish their responses in full.
- 5
Anonymous sources, rarely
We grant anonymity only when a source faces real risk, the editor knows their identity, and what they say is corroborated.
Our data sources
Everything in the Network Explorer and our datasets comes from public sources. We list the date each record was retrieved.
| Source | What it gives us | Refreshed |
|---|---|---|
| WA Public Disclosure Commission | Campaign contributions, expenditures, PACs, financial affairs statements | Weekly |
| City of Anacortes | Council agendas, minutes, votes, contracts, ordinances | Each meeting |
| Port of Anacortes | Commission resolutions, leases, contracts, meeting video | Each meeting |
| Anacortes School District | Board minutes, bond expenditures, contracts | Monthly |
| WA Secretary of State | Corporation and LLC filings, governing persons, registered agents | Monthly |
| Skagit County Assessor & Auditor | Property ownership, sales, recorded documents | Monthly |
| Public records requests | Emails, memos and records not posted online, requested under the state Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) | As released |
How the network is built
Each node in the Network Explorer is a person, agency, organization, document, transaction or contract. Each line is a relationship stated in a specific record: a vote in the minutes, a contribution on a filing, a signature on a contract.
We match names across sources with software, then a reporter reviews every match by hand before it is published. We never infer a relationship that a record does not state. A connection is a fact about the record, not a finding of wrongdoing.
Open the Network ExplorerCorrections policy
When we get something wrong, we fix it promptly and say so. Corrections are noted at the end of each affected article, with the date and what changed. We do not quietly edit published facts.
Clarifications add context without changing a fact. Updates add new information. Each is labeled.
How a correction appears · Format example, not a real correction
Correction: An earlier version of this story gave the wrong date for [WHAT]. It was [CORRECT FACT], not [INCORRECT FACT].
Spotted an error? Email news@anacortesbreaking.com with a link to the story and what you believe is wrong.
Ethics policy
We report in the public interest, not on behalf of anyone we cover. These rules apply to everyone who works on Anacortes Breaking:
- We do not pay for information, and we do not accept gifts, travel or favors from people or organizations we cover.
- Anyone with a personal or financial connection to a story steps away from it, and we disclose the connection when it matters to readers.
- Funders and Datrinsic's clients have no say over what we report or publish.
- We identify ourselves as journalists when reporting, and we do not misrepresent who we are to get information.
- We protect the identity of sources we have promised anonymity.
[ADDITIONAL ETHICS COMMITMENTS — for example, use of software and AI tools in reporting, and how conflicts are disclosed.]
Right of reply
If you are named in our reporting or in the Network Explorer, you can respond, add context or request a correction at any time. We review every request and reply within two business days.
Email news@anacortesbreaking.com and tell us which story or Explorer entry you are writing about.
Privacy
We collect as little about readers as we can. This site does not run advertising or third-party tracking scripts.
- Browsing. [DESCRIBE HOSTING / SERVER LOGS AND HOW LONG THEY ARE KEPT]
- Newsletter. If you subscribe, we keep your email address only to send the newsletter. [NEWSLETTER PROVIDER]
- Tips. What the tip form stores: [DESCRIBE LOGGING & RETENTION]. See how to send something sensitive.
- Your settings. Your light or dark mode choice is saved in your own browser and is never sent to us.
We do not sell personal information. Questions: news@anacortesbreaking.com. Effective [EFFECTIVE DATE].
Terms of use
Our stories, graphics and datasets are © Anacortes Breaking. You may quote and link to our work with credit to Anacortes Breaking. [REUSE / REPUBLISHING LICENSE, IF ANY]
The public records we link to belong to the agencies that issued them. Data in the Network Explorer is provided as is, for reference. A connection shown between two names reflects what a record states, not a finding of wrongdoing.
[GOVERNING LAW AND ANY ADDITIONAL TERMS]. Effective [EFFECTIVE DATE].
Know something we should look at?
Tips and documents from readers start many of our investigations. You can stay anonymous.