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How it works

From source record to assigned story.

See how source records, earlier decisions and an editor’s note give a reporter a place to begin.

Review the evidence
Headline FinderProduct demo — King County
01 · Find the lead
Discover / Courts & crimeNew development

Joe Smith released from prison

Washington DOC · Published Sep 2, 2026

A release entry opens a follow-up to the newsroom’s 2019 sentencing coverage.

Sep 2019Judgment and sentence
Sep 2026DOC release entry
From the source record

Release from prison recorded.

The reporting opportunity

The release entry brings an old story back to the desk.

Check the source
02 · Check the source
Evidence / Case recordSource evidence

DOC release entry

Person
Joe Smith
Source
Washington DOC
Event date
September 1, 2026
Record previewDOC release entry

The custody history includes the 2019 sentence and a new release entry.

New development

DOC release entry

Washington DOC · September 1, 2026

Release from prison recorded.

Earlier recordPrison custody · 2019
New developmentRelease recorded · 2026
See the assignment
03 · Assign the follow-up
Assignments / Courts & crimeReady to assign

Follow up on the 2019 sentence.

Reporter
Choose a reporter below
Evidence
DOC release entry · 2019 judgment

Reporting note

The release entry and original sentencing coverage are together for a follow-up on Joe Smith’s story.

Follow the full case See this beat in a demo

Behind the lead queue

From public record to reporting decision.

Headline Finder collects records from configured sources, processes their text and retains source details and document versions. The newsroom reviews the evidence and decides what deserves a follow-up.

  1. Collect the record

    Agency records enter the workspace with their source and date.

  2. Keep the evidence

    Document text and retained versions make earlier material available for review.

  3. Choose the follow-up

    A reporter checks the source; an editor assigns the next reporting question.

Record history

Read the earlier decision alongside the change.

A source version keeps the earlier evidence available when a document changes. The example above lets you open the earlier record without losing your assignment.

Explore the connected records

Reporter handoff

Give the reporter the evidence and the question.

The completed assignment brings together the development, selected reporter, attached passages and editable editor’s note.

Build the handoff

Getting started

Your newsroom.
Your first walkthrough.

Bring the beats and places you cover. We’ll work through the sources, team setup and reporting workflow together.

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  1. Tell us what you follow.

    Your county or states, priority beats and agencies, and the people who will use Headline Finder.

  2. Map out your workspace.

    Review the sources, reporting desks and user access your team needs.

  3. Follow a story together.

    Open a development, review earlier records and prepare a reporter’s assignment with an editor’s note.

For editors

One school-board story. Two working days.

  1. Choose the reporting priority

    The bus-route proposal moves to family feedback. Decide which families and travel times need reporting.

  2. Give the reporter a starting point

    Assign the education reporter with the minutes and a note about the questions to pursue.

  3. Return for the next decision

    Open the later meeting record: the board has set a vote date. Keep the original assignment and prepare the next follow-up.

Try the editor’s working session