NICAR 2026: GitHub Actions for Data Automation

1) Understand what GitHub Actions are

Use this basic model:

• A workflow file (.yml) defines automation.
• Triggers like schedule and workflow_dispatch decide when it runs.
• Jobs and steps run scripts, API calls, and git commits on a hosted runner.

2) Review a real newsroom example (The Trace)

Use this repo as your first concrete example:

• Repo: TeamTrace/butler_p_immigration_shootings
• Workflow: /.github/workflows/dataset-butler.yml

Focus on:

• workflow_dispatch for manual runs.
• schedule for recurring runs.
• Python step that calls a Redivis notebook updater via API.

3) Fork this repo

1. Fork this repository to your own GitHub account.
2. Open your fork on GitHub and confirm the Actions tab is available.

4) Inspect the first YAML file: ticket prices

Open:

• .github/workflows/daily-ncaaw-ticket-prices.yml

Check what this workflow does:

• Pulls StubHub event HTML.
• Runs scripts/analyze_stubhub_big10wbt.py.
• Appends a timestamped row to data/stubhub_big10wbt_session7_history.csv.
• Commits sanitized classroom-safe HTML to data/raw_public/ (removing API keys from the html file) and data/stubhub_big10wbt_session7_history.csv

5) Run workflow_dispatch for ticket prices

Steps:

1. Go to Actions.
2. Select daily-ncaaw-ticket-prices.
3. Click Run workflow.
4. Open logs and review each step.
5. Confirm output files changed in the repo.

6) Inspect the second YAML file: sports odds

Open:

• .github/workflows/daily-wncaab-odds.yml

Check what this workflow does:

• Calls The Odds API for WNCAAB moneyline odds.
• Runs scripts/fetch_wncaab_odds.py.
• Writes raw JSON snapshots and appends CSV rows.
• Commits to this repository

7) Set up API key for sports odds

1. Get a key from the-odds-api.com.
2. In the forked repo, go to Settings -> Secrets and variables -> Actions.
3. Add a new repository secret named THE_ODDS_API_KEY.
4. Paste only the key value.

8) Run workflow_dispatch for sports odds

1. Go to Actions.
2. Select daily-wncaab-odds.
3. Click Run workflow.
4. Check logs and confirm new files in data/.

9) Review the one-pager

Use WORKSHOP_ONE_PAGER.md:

• limitations of GitHub Actions
• use cases that fit Actions
• more real-world examples