Getting scooped by your competition is one thing. Getting scooped because the competition followed up your story that you neglected to follow up (are you following this?) is a gaffe.
    Remember to read your stories the next day. Ask yourself the key questions:

• What's still to be resolved?
• What's the next step?
• Have I missed anything?
• Have I reported on how this affects people?

Take ownership If you broke the story, then be sure to follow up the story. It's your duty to your readers. 'Followup file' Keep a weekly file of your stories. Revisit them the following week. A few phone calls can reveal a followup story. Good reporters rarely leave their readers wondering, "Gee, whatever happened to. . ."

-- ­ Gregg McLachlan