Data have always been important to the work of journalists. from Jacob Riis is reporting on how the other half lived in late 1800s New York City, to stories about gun violence in 2022, journalists need numbers to tell their stories. But not every reporter is trained to find and work with data. For those who want to dive into investigative journalism which often depends on complicated data, learning the skills to clean and analyze statistical information is a crucial part of the job. That is the focus of this episode of Stats+Stories with guest Austin Fast.

Fast is a journalist based in Phoenix with over a decade of radio, TV, print and web experience, currently focusing on data analysis and investigative work at National Public Radio. He specializes in data analysis on NPR's investigations team, often collaborating with reporters from NPR Member stations across the country. Before coming to NPR, Fast reported for KJZZ in Phoenix and covered the world's largest wild salmon fishery at KDLG in Dillingham, Alaska. He's also written breaking news at a Cincinnati TV station and taught English overseas with the Peace Corps.