David Ferrara: Reporter

Turning big data into local journalism.

Today's journalists are expected to do more with less. As the News Data Automation Lead for USA TODAY Co., I build tools to help journalists across our 200+ local newspapers sort through the noise and find stories quicker and with greater impact.

I began my career in journalism as editor-in-chief of Clemson University's campus paper, The Tiger. I later covered breaking news in Greenville, South Carolina, for The Post and Courier and in Cincinnati for The Enquirer.

Making a difference.

While I was editor-in-chief of The Tiger, I rebuilt the organization from the ground up by implementing a new training program, operations model and start-to-finish workflow that continues to bring success. Under my leadership, the newspaper was awarded the best college newspaper in South Carolina for the first time in eight years.

As a reporter, I constantly sought ways to use AI and new technology to enhance my work and support my colleagues. I developed a public records templating and tracking tool used by reporters across South Carolina, launched an elections results interactive for the 2024 statewide primary, among other projects. My own curiosity fuels me to take on new projects and innovate.

Selected Clips

Long-term enterprise

Nov. 30, 2025

Cincinnati police's $4.8M drone program takes off. How does the eye in the sky work?

After Cincinnati police launched an innovative drone program, I was curious how the drones were being used. When I saw that the department was publishing its flight paths through an online dashboard, I dove into the data to learn more.

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Long-term enterprise

Sept. 29, 2024

Still in the dark: 10 years after Tucker Hipps’ death, hazing is still alive at SC universities

This project was the culmination of a monthslong investigation into college hazing in South Carolina. It tells the story through the lens of Tucker Hipps, a 19-year-old Clemson student who died during an early morning fraternity run in 2014.

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Breaking news coverage

Sept. 20, 2024

South Carolina's Freddie Owens killed by lethal injection, first execution in 13 years

I was one of three media witnesses inside the death chamber as South Carolina put Freddie Owens to death. My report reflects what I saw, the research I did ahead of the execution and the conversations I had with lawyers, the families of the victims and others.

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Short-term enterprise

July 10, 2024

SC man accused of impersonating a lawyer in multiple courts. That's not the only fiction we found.

Call it like the TV show Suits but without the corporate grandeur. And replace NYC with Upstate SC. A local man was charged with impersonating a lawyer after taking on real cases, with real defendants. After several interviews and digs through records, I broke the story nobody else had.

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Selected Awards

Best Minority Issues Reporting

First Place, Ohio SPJ, August 2026
Neo-Nazis in Lincoln Heights

Best Deadline Reporting

First Place, Ohio SPJ, August 2026
A series of tragic events in Cincinnati in June 2025

Outstanding New Journalist

Greater Cincinnati SPJ, June 2026

Best Use of Artificial Intelligence

Best of USA TODAY Media, June 2026
AI tools to help break news in Cincinnati

Journalist of the Year

Collegiate Contest, 2023
South Carolina Press Association

First Place, General Excellence

Collegiate Contest, 2023, The Tiger
South Carolina Press Association