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Mark Niesse on Muck Rack

Mark Niesse

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Atlanta
As seen in: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, MSN, The Washington Post, USA Today, NBC News, SFGate, The Toronto Star, Flipboard, Phys.org, The Boston Globe, The Seattle Times and
Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter covering voting rights and Georgia government. mark.niesse@ajc.com.

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Mark Niesse’s Biography

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I am a reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution covering DeKalb County government. I write about corruption, the metro Atlanta cityhood movement, business growth, tax incentives, government spending and local politics.
Before taking on the DeKalb County beat in May 2014, I covered Atlanta Public Schools for the AJC for more than a year. Stories included the indictments of 35 educators for allegedly cheating on standardized tests, charter schools, spending for public education and the recov…

Mark Niesse’s Journalist Portfolio

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Criminal inquiries into DeKalb County corruption continue

Criminal inquiries into DeKalb County corruption continue

The report on corruption in DeKalb County was explosive. With allegations of illegal spending, mismanagement …

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Investigators find 'rotten' DeKalb government

Investigators find 'rotten' DeKalb government

Special investigators have found that DeKalb County's government "is rotten to the core," with allegations of…

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U.S. Census shows population growth across metro Atlanta

U.S. Census shows population growth across metro Atlanta

Metro Atlanta's population rose to more than 5.7 million residents last year, and the number of people living…

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Guilty verdicts topple DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis

Guilty verdicts topple DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis

A jury found Burrell Ellis guilty Wednesday of attempted extortion and perjury, bringing down one of Georgia'…

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New cities could further split Atlanta region

New cities could further split Atlanta region

Metro Atlanta is fracturing along invisible walls surrounding its young suburban cities. Inside these city bo…

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DeKalb County leaves door open to abuse

DeKalb County leaves door open to abuse

For years, DeKalb County elected officials have been free to run up expenses on their purchasing cards and is…

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Articles

Access to contraceptives without a prescription approved

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By Mark Niesse Verified
| Statesboro Herald Verified
ATLANTA — Birth control medications will be provided at pharmacies across Georgia without needing a prescription, according to a bill that won final approval from the General Assembly last week. Lawmakers said the bill makes contraceptives more available to women, especially in the 82 of Georgia's 159 counties without an obstetrician. "We talk a lot about prevention and improving outcomes for women's health, and this is a way to do this without a mandate," said Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, R-Marietta.
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Ban on child sexual abuse NDAs passes Georgia General Assembly

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By Mark Niesse Verified
| The Griffin Daily News Verified
ATLANTA — Victims of childhood sexual abuse can’t be silenced by nondisclosure agreements in legal settlements, according to a bill that cleared the Georgia General Assembly on Thursday. The Senate voted unanimously to approve the bill, which is called Trey’s Law in memory of Trey Carlock, a former Atlanta-area resident who was sexually abused at a Missouri camp along with other victims.
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Failure of Georgia elections bill could lead to quick switch to hand-marked ballots

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By Mark Niesse Verified
| Cherokee Tribune Ledger-News Verified
kAmkDEC@?8mp%{p}%p —k^DEC@?8m v6@C8:2 =2H>2<6CD D6E FA E96 A@DD:3:=:EJ @7 2 DH:7E 4@?G6CD:@? E@ 92?5\>2C<65 A2A6C 32==@ED E9:D J62C H96? E96J 72:=65 E@ A2DD 2 3:== 62C=J uC:52J >@C?:?8 E92E H@F=5 92G6 8C25F2==J C6A=2465 E96 DE2E6’D E@F49D4C66? G@E:?8 DJDE6>]k^Am kAm%96 $6?2E6’D C67FD2= E@ G@E6 @? E96 3:A2CE:D2? 6=64E:@?D 3:== =62G6D v6@C8:2 H:E9 4@>AFE6C\86?6C2E65 32==@ED E92E H:== D@@?
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

The Red & Black newspaper at the University of Georgia.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes, and I think I'd have liked working in a noisy newsroom filled with typewriter clatter.

What does it mean to be a journalist?

A journalist is the watchdog of the community, responsible for exposing wrongdoing, examining policy and informing the public.