Veteran finance and business reporter James McNair is the newest addition to the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. McNair's nearly 30 years in journalism includes positions at the Cincinnati Enquirer and the Miami Herald, where he's done work to uncover fraud and unethical business practices.He's worked since 2007 as an independent researcher for hedge funds, in which "he is responsible for combing through records, digging through corporate filings and assisting the company in analyzing the health of businesses," a news release said.McNair lives in Cincinnati but spent part of his youth in Kentucky near Fort Campbell. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky.His departure from the Enquirer in 2007 made waves in journalism circles and in Cincinnati, where some accused the newspaper of firing him after complaints from advertisers.He fought the firing and it was later changed to a buyout.McNair joins KyCIR managing editor Brendan McCarthy and investigative reporters R.G. Dunlop and Kristina Goetz. “Investigative reporting is an endangered form of journalism at a time when Kentucky consumers, voters, workers and residents need it more than ever,” McNair said. “I look forward to helping make the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting an essential source of information that will incite people to think and demand answers.”McCarthy added: "“Jim is an aggressive, thoughtful reporter who knows the ins and outs of the business world."Louisville Public Media—which also includes WFPL News, WFPK and Classical 90.5—launched the KyCIRlast year after meeting a challenge grant.
