Patrick Terpstra

Patrick Terpstra

National Investigative Reporter

Patrick Terpstra is a national investigative reporter devoted to accuracy, clarity and fairness. His reporting relies on data, records and brave people willing to share their experiences. He aims to expose problems and difficulties with governments, corporations, and other mighty entities, while searching just as hard for solutions. His work at Scripps has exposed how a couple without medical experience led a massive troubled covid testing operation. He revealed how the state of Maryland secretly refused to implement key parts of a new online privacy law. He also uncovered how cellphone emergency alerts fail to warn people in the way of deadly wildfires. Prior to joining Scripps, Patrick covered Washington for the Cox Media Group. His reporting on former Congressman Paul Broun’s office spending led to the indictment and federal conviction of his chief of staff. Patrick can be reached at patrick.terpstra@scripps.com.

Recent Work
Two Confederate statues on display in the U.S. Capitol
Mai Nolasco-Carranza / NewsyPolitics

Confederate Statues Still Standing in U.S. Capitol

Sewage testing in Florida
WPTVScripps News Investigates

Widespread Sewage Testing For COVID Still A Pipe Dream

Dr. Jane Orient
Courtesy: Association of American Physicians and SurgeonsScience and Health

Dr. Orient's Fringe Views On Virus In Spotlight At Senate Hearing

A bed at a Detroit temporary hospital assembled as seen in April, 2020.
APScripps News Investigates

Makeshift Care Centers Sit Empty As Virus Strains Hospitals

A line outside Central Union Mission in Washington, D.C.
Zach Cusson / NewsyScience and Health

Long Waits For Covid Tests, Donated Food Mark Start Of Holiday Season

Former state representative Lawrence Roberts
Pennsylvania House of RepresentativesPolitics

Plaintiff In Trump Election Lawsuit Is A Former State Lawmaker

Pennsylvania woman protests late vote counting
APPolitics

Fact-Checking A Trump Election Lawsuit In Pennsylvania

Ballot processing in Arizona
APPolitics

Trump Campaign Asks For Patience While Weighing Legal Options

Vote counting during the 2000 election
APPolitics

Supreme Court May Not Be A Lifeline For Trump Like It Was For Bush

Person counts Nevada ballots
APPolitics

Vote Counts Continue Despite Trump Campaign's Legal Challenges

President Trump
White House PoolPolitics

Why President Trump's Early Leads In Key States Evaporated

Voting underway in Hamilton County, Ohio
Carrie Cochran / NewsyScripps News Investigates

Backup Poll Workers Still Needed In Key States

A blue mail collection box
Newsy / Mai Nolasco-CarranzaPolitics

USPS Records Show No Evidence Mailbox Removals Were Tied To Election

A ballot
Carrie Cochran / NewsyScripps News Investigates

Voters Ordered To Take Down 'Ballot Selfies'

President Trump at the White House
White House poolScripps News Investigates

The Timeline Leading To President Trump Testing Positive For COVID-19

Data shows incomplete witness information for North Carolina ballots
Lauren Knapp / NewsyScripps News Investigates

Witness Requirement Keeps Votes From Being Counted In Battleground NC

Ballot booths
WXYZ-TVScripps News Investigates

Not Paying A Price For Voting Twice

A ballot box
WXYZ-TVScripps News Investigates

Online Ballot Tracking Is Reliable But Not Perfect

Virginia's COVIDWISE exposure notification app
Patrick TerpstraScience and Health

Privacy Fears Keeping People Off New COVID-19 Tracking Apps

8th grade teacher Erin McCarthy inside her classroom
Erin McCarthyScripps News Investigates

K-12 Schools Suffer Financial Pain From Coronavirus

Steve Bannon
Thibault Camus / APPolitics

Bannon Pleads Not Guilty In Alleged Border Wall Fundraising Scheme

A letter carrier delivers mail.
U.S. Postal ServiceScripps News Investigates

Postal Service Board Lacks Experience — And Bodies

Arizona State University Campus
Arizona State UniversityScripps News Investigates

Colleges Sit On Emergency Cash Meant For Students

An empty classroom
KNXV-TV ABC15Scripps News Investigates

Newsy Investigates: When COVID-19 Infects A Reopened School

Students at Oregon State University
Oregon State UniversityPolitics

Struggling Universities Pay Lobbyists To Find More Coronavirus Aid

5-year-old Joseph Marotta
Serese MarottaScience and Health

Surprise Hurdles Slowed The Last Big Vaccine Race

Kimberley Byrd
Family photoScripps News Investigates

3 Teachers Shared A Classroom; All Got COVID-19

People on airplane
Amanda DavisScripps News Investigates

Why Masks On Flights Still Aren't Required By Law

Statue of Alexander Hamilton Stephens in the U.S. Capitol Stephens was vice president of the Confederacy.
Patrick Terpstra / NewsyScripps News Investigates

8 States Keep Confederate Statues On Display In U.S. Capitol

Protesters
Steven Senne / APScripps News Investigates

Protests Haven't Fueled Coronavirus Surges As Officials Feared