ASHEVILLE - Since my last Sunday column very briefly introduced and reintroduced some of the Citizen Times journalists and the work they produce, I've heard from many readers saying thanks, and wanting to learn more. Starting today and periodically, I'll be giving you all a deeper look into the daily newsroom staff and some of the tedious, fun, whacky, heartbreaking, informative, intriguing work we do, always brought to you with heart and integrity.
Today, meet Andrew Jones, who started working at the Citizen Times on Nov. 22, 2021. It's hard to believe it's only been a year because the breadth and depth of his work seem like it could fill so many more calendar pages.
HCA antitrust lawsuit:To prove monopoly, revised complaint in HCA antitrust lawsuit points to Mission’s own data
HCA’s Mission:AG Stein files support in Brevard, Buncombe, Asheville, Madison case against HCA’s Mission
He started as Buncombe County Government and Health reporter and jumped right into the ever-changing COVID-19/pandemic beat while watchdogging the work of our elected officials as well as those earning a public paycheck, and the numerous complaints from patients and staff at Mission Hospital, owned by HCA Healthcare.
His investigative skills and database work found that Asheville's housing authority was the landlord issuing some of the most evictions in the city; he watchdogged Buncombe County's ad hoc reappraisal committee; unearthed the "dark money" transfers in ex-county manager Wanda Green's ongoing case; and has been closely following the case of Asheville's Deputy Police Chief Jim Baumstark, who is set for trial in January in Virginia for allegedly covering up a sex-trafficking ring in that state.
Andrew can most often be found at the county or federal courthouses, endlessly searching through civil, criminal, and other court filings. He now holds the title of Investigations Reporter, but true to his journalist's blood, he can and will handle just about any topic. He has become a budding snow expert. You will also find him as the voice behind some of our .
Patient advocate:Despite patient advocate asks, HCA's Mission yet to make charity care application public
In ‘nightmare’:HCA birth lawsuit doctor who ordered C-section now gets subpoena
While Andrew is always up to date on the latest journalist techniques and tools in the digital realm, he is also an old-school reporter of the Woodward and Bernstein ilk, not afraid to put in the long hours and shoe leather reporting until he unearths the truth.
Andrew is serious about his role and keeps his colleagues on our toes, but he is has a wicked sense of humor that always makes morning newsroom meetings fun. The Citizen Times ― and Asheville ― are lucky Andrew decided to set up his laptop here.
Ex-Buncombe manager:Judge denies ex-Buncombe manager Wanda Greene’s attempt to avoid paying $419,000
Wanda Greene:Buncombe sues manager Wanda Greene again, this time for dark money transfers to family
Have a question or story idea for Andrew? Email him at ARJones@citizentimes.com. Get to know him a little better in the following Q&A:
Question: How long have you been a reporter? Where else have you worked?
Answer: I’ve been a reporter since February of 2019, so going on four years. My first full-time journalism job was at The Daily Times in Maryville and Alcoa Tennessee, Blount County.
Q: Where did you go to college and what did you study?
A: Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. English and journalism.
Q: Why did you want to become a reporter?
A: I believe in the power of words to change people’s lives for the better and feel a personal obligation to tell stories, serve others and hold power to account.
Q: What is a typical day like for you at the Citizen Times?
A: After a morning meeting with my lovely colleagues I make a lot of calls and emails, visit public offices, drive out to a reporting location, visit the courthouse to do research, write a lot and spend an hour or so tweaking my daily work with editors.
Q: What other jobs have you done outside of journalism?
A: I taught high school English for eight years and have done freelance writing for other magazines and newspapers.
Q: What other publications sparked your interest in journalism?
A: ProPublica, NPR as a whole and specifically WBEZ out of Chicago, my hometown newspaper the Northwest Indiana Times, my home state’s biggest paper the Indianapolis Star, the Center for Investigative Reporting.
Q: What publications do you read for fun or to keep up with the news?
A: I read every WNC news outlet I can get my eyes on and try to keep up with the News & Observer and Charlotte Observer as well. I really love the work coming out of The Assembly, a new, bright star in North Carolina’s news network. I’m an avid Kaiser Health News reader and love the work of Carolina Public Press, Carolina Health News, The Trace, The 74, The Markup and many other outlets.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being a reporter?
A: Meeting the people whose lives and stories are dramatically impacted by systemic changes and the decisions of those in power.
Q: How long have you lived in Asheville?
A: Almost exactly one year.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Asheville?
A: Its tenacity and courage to stand up against injustice or unfairness wherever and whenever it crops up.
Q: What has been your favorite/craziest/most interesting person, thing or event you have covered?
A: Covering the ongoing litigation against HCA Healthcare and Mission Health is probably the most eye-opening work I’ve done.
City schools lose out:Mission Hospital paying $1.2M less in taxes after valuation talks
New antitrust lawsuit filing:HCA, Mission fight 2 counties, 2 cities on monopoly claims
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Read books. I’m really enjoying “Invisible Child” by Andrea Elliot right now.
Q: What do think the role of daily newspaper journalists is?
A: Service first: giving the community the knowledge and therefore the power to live happy, healthy, productive lives. Accountability second: making sure that the people with power and means do not abuse those privileges at the cost of their constituents, employees and neighbors.
Q: Who is your favorite editor?
A: Ida B. Wells, hands down.
Karen Chávez is Interim Executive Editorfor the Asheville Citizen Times, part of theUSA TODAY Network. Tips, comments, questions? Call 828-236-8980, email,KChavez@CitizenTimes.comor follow on Twitter @KarenChavezACT.