Dan Schwartz is an investigative journalist based in the American West. He writes on a variety of subjects but fundamentally seeks long-form, narrative stories driven by compelling characters, snappy dialogue, scene-rooted action, and a strong sense of outrage. His writing, frequently recommended by sites such as Longform and the Sunday Long Read, has appeared in numerous national outlets including ProPublica, The Atlantic, Outside Magazine, and Vice Magazine.
For more than a year, Dan's been working with ProPublica on an investigation into the safety of the railroad industry, which became a topic of national concern following the February derailment and explosion of a freight train in East Palestine, Ohio. Dan will continue working on the project through the end of 2023. In April, he spoke with NPR's Morning Edition about their reporting so far.
Dan started his career at daily papers in Alaska, New Mexico, and Vermont, winning awards along the way for unearthing government corruption and bird-dogging environmental regulators reluctant to regulate. He honed his craft in a master’s program at the Missouri School of Journalism, where he worked as a fellow with The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and part-time as a researcher for Investigative Reporters and Editors.
Dan has an undergraduate degree in outdoor education. Back in the day, he dabbled in guiding. He doesn’t guide anymore but has kept his skills sharp and when he's not writing he may be found outside, depending on the season and topography, backcountry skiing or ice climbing or rock climbing or mountain biking or trail running or swimming or sailing or, to his mother’s chagrin, dirt biking. She’s right to worry. Motorcycles are dangerous.
But as of February, Dan's been unable to exercise. He has Long COVID.
