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Navigating ethics, culture and safety to immerse in immigration and Covid

Navigating ethics, culture and safety to immerse in immigration and Covid

At first glance, there are few frills or fireworks in “Tatiana’s Luck,” Hannah Dreier ‘s profile of an immigrant living in a crowded New Jersey house stalked by COVID-19. In the…
Can deep reporting answer the ultimate coronavirus question: How will it end?

Can deep reporting answer the ultimate coronavirus question: How will it end?

One of the things that distinguishes the coronavirus outbreak from disasters that have come before is the disorienting flood of research and information. Credit — or blame — that on…
A religion reporter profiles a charismatic community drawn to a "miracle Bible"

A religion reporter profiles a charismatic community drawn to a “miracle Bible”

Surprising stories spring from any number of places. Investigative or narrative or explanatory stories often start with curiosity sparked by a local news story or feature. That’s what happened when…
Writing the character, contradictions and soul of a place

Writing the character, contradictions and soul of a place

America’s quadrennial obsession with Iowa has passed like the season’s last snow storm, there for a turbulent moment but forgotten three days later. The nail-biting over bad election apps and…
A war correspondent and mom faces new fears in the early days of coronavirus

A war correspondent and mom faces new fears in the early days of coronavirus

Coronavirus is no longer something happening somewhere else — no matter where you are — or something that will soon become yesterday’s news. As of this week, cases have been…
The chronic pain of runaway medical debt

The chronic pain of runaway medical debt

An investigative narrative exposes a system where the bounty hunter rules
From basketball stardom to rosary beads

From basketball stardom to rosary beads

When she got the story assignment, ESPN senior writer Elizabeth Merrill could hardly believe it:A Villanova basketball star, Shelly Pennefather, won the 1987 Wade Trophy as the top female player…
The 1619 project: Tracing steps backwards to find a way forward

The 1619 project: Tracing steps backwards to find a way forward

Four centuries ago this year, a privateer named the White Lion anchored off Point Comfort, an English colony in what is now Hampton, Virginia. In its cramped hold, it carried…
Is it real? Or is it Instagram?

Is it real? Or is it Instagram?

The Internet of 2019 is rife with social-media influencers and articles about them. Much of the coverage is fawning and superficial: how to become one, how to make $3,000  per Instagram…
When gun violence visits, a workaday mayor — and hard-working journalist — respond

When gun violence visits, a workaday mayor — and hard-working journalist — respond

By early August of this year, 253 American cities had been added to the map of mass shootings. For a day or two after yet another event, officials in these…