One of the reasons I love being a journalist is because I get to learn/see/do things most people don’t. And then I get to write about it. Here’s a sampling of some of the more important stories I’ve had the opportunity to cover.
Emil Jones’ daughter hired for high-level county job (12.15.09)
In July 2009, I reported on a loophole in Illinois state law that allows unregulated boarding homes for the mentally ill to operate with no oversight.
Family: Cops, group home dropped ball on missing man (07.22.09)
Loophole allows “flop houses” for mentally ill (07.30.09)
Lawmakers pledge to address unregulated homes for mentally ill (07.31.09)
In April 2009, I uncovered how the City of Chicago was lying about why it decided to close four mental health centers. It said the state shorted its budget, but in reality, the city health department’s electronic billing system was malfunctioning.
Billing glitch led to mental health closures (04.07.09)
Federal dollars will save mental health centers (04.09.09)
Mental health providers frustrated with state billing system (04.15.09)
Mental health centers on the chopping block – again (07.16.09)
Cook County is known for its corruption, and even the slightest whiff of it raises eyebrows. Such was the case when I reported on how the county health system’s chief procurement officer had close ties to a company awarded a $500 million contract. Swine flu broke the same day, burying the story.
County health exec tied to company vying for $500M contract (04.29.09)
Junction City, Kan., is home to the Army’s First Infantry Division, and students in local schools face the realities of war every day.
In Junction City, wars invade classroom (02.11.09) — The story of how schools in Junction City, Kan., home of the 1st Infantry Division, cope with the realities of two wars, accompanied by a multimedia project.
In May 2008, I spent nearly a
week embedded with elements of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Irwin, Calif., as the division prepared to go to Iraq. I blogged my time there and created a multimedia presentation that took first place overall in the 2009 Kansas City Press Club awards.
Readying for War (06.06.08)
Also in May 2008, Lawrence hosted the annual conference of Old German Baptists, whose religion embraces simplictiy, similar to the Amish. I covered the OGB youth conference, and found the temptations of the modern world are encroaching on the religion. This story was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, the Kansas City Press Club and the Kansas Press Association.
The influences of tradition, modernity (05.12.09)
In April 2008, a Lawrence resident went missing after his canoe capsized; Kansas City area media was all over the story. The man’s body was found weeks later, and this Journal-World story was the only report to include the experience of the woman who helped the man’s friends in their futile search for him. It was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Kansas City Press Club.
Recovery effort for canoeist continues (04.21.08)
