Lisa Livermore keeps a post-it note next to her computer that simply reads “CYA”.
“Cover Your Ass. Get your facts straight,” Livermore told University of Iowa journalism students during her visit in September.
Lisa Livermore (B.A. 2005) spoke about gaining journalistic experience, making mistakes and being a young adult in the workforce. Currently working for The Des Moines Register at the Ames bureau, Livermore’s beat includes government reporting and college life.
At 24 years of age, Livermore has quite an impressive resume. She has completed five internships at newspapers including; the Washington Bureau of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Missoulian, The Iowa City Gazette, The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier and The Des Moines Register.
The Dike, Iowa, native also worked at The Daily Iowan where she covered state government and law enforcement before becoming a metro editor. During her time at the DI she had the opportunity to go to New York City and cover the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
In an attempt to gain sources for her story, Livermore stood outside buses that were unloading volunteers who were searching for survivors at ground zero. She found it was difficult to get the shocked and traumatized people to open up to her.
“I was being persistent but respectful. You have to match the tone,” Livermore said.
Her investigative experience proved useful in 2004, when a simple government reporting assignment turned into an investigative piece. While working at The Des Moines Register as a suburban reporter Livermore’s beat included Johnston, Iowa’s, City Council meetings. The rebuilding of their sewer system was an issue Livermore had been hearing about week after week.
Livermore said she started on a small article covering the rebuilding of the sewer system. She called a routine meeting with an Iowa Department of Natural Resources employee as a source. She soon discovered there was a bigger story.
Johnston had to rebuild its sewer system because it was leaking into Saylorville Lake and the Des Moines River, causing unhealthy levels of bacteria.
Livermore’s roots in government reporting gave her the means to write the story on Johnston’s sewer leakage. “Don’t be afraid to start small,” she advised.
