Columbia Missourian • 10/16/2023

'I haven't been living': MU community affected by conflict in Israel-Hamas war

This story surveys how the Islam-Hamas war is affecting the MU community. I worked with Missourian reporters on this from when the newsroom opened until it closed for three days straight. With every decision made, we asked “how can we make sure this is fair and ethical?” My goal as an editor was to localize this overseas conflict and report from a neutral lens.

Columbia Missourian • 08/08/2023

Here's why one fire station is being built across the street from another

The Columbia Fire Department and Boone County Fire Protection District have a long, complicated history. After discovering through a City Council agenda that the city planned to build a fire station across the street from a county one, I began investigating why the two agencies don't work together more often. This story took two months of research and investigation.

07/10/2023

Shadows and Bright Spots: Colombia's Developing Democracy

In a sea of declining democracies, there are occasional bright spots that shine apart from the rest. One of these bright spots is Colombia, a nation where democratic values are increasingly growing. Still, there are many threats to their civic space. I spent a week in Washington, D.C. researching and producing this product in collaboration with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. I was on a team which wrote the text and designed the website for this project.

Columbia Missourian • 03/07/2023

Columbia faces mechanic shortage, taxpayers pay the price

The City of Columbia is experiencing a mechanic shortage. Because of this, taxpayers are spending more money on outsourcing jobs each year. I spent almost two months compiling the data, interviews and details for this investigative piece. It took many cold calls, data requests and late nights to get this published.

Columbia Missourian • 07/07/2023

75 years later: Discovery of 'wonder drug' aureomycin at MU changed the world

The MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources celebrates the 75th anniversary of the discovery of aureomycin, the grandfather of antibiotics. This story was far outside of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed throwing myself into something new and experimenting with different story structures to best tell this one.

Columbia Missourian • 10/30/2022

New names and numbers mark congressional, statehouse contests

Through my newsroom course, I was able to report on the redistricting which split through Columbia. I learned how to use infographic software, as well as use different databases to collect information on the boundaries between districts. It was picked up by the Columbia Missourian and published on the front page of their Oct. 30-31 issue.

Columbia Missourian • 09/03/2023

'A fresh perspective': D'Andre Thompson advances city on diversity front

As this was my last article under the reporter title at the Missourian, I wanted to incorporate new techniques I've learned throughout my time at the publication. In order to turn a bureaucratic position into something more interesting, I experimented with different structures and vibrant word choice in this story.

Columbia Missourian • 04/17/2023

Local union fights to end pre-employment drug testing

LiUNA Local 955 members are fighting to end pre-employment drug testing. I spoke with members of the union, the city and other comparable cities on this issue, as well as gathered data pertaining to the topic.

Columbia Missourian • 01/30/2023

City labor union protests transit cuts, drug tests, low wages

After attending a pre-council work session midway through January, I spoke with Andrew Hutchinson, LiUNA Local 955 representative. He explained to me the reasoning behind the union's dissatisfaction with Columbia City Council and invited me to their protest against pay cuts.

Columbia Missourian • 06/08/2023

Council, city staff discuss communication issues

At their annual City Council retreat, 31 council members and city staff participated in a series of activities to strengthen bonds with each other. Several council members noted that they struggled with some communication from city staff, specifically when they are surprised with new information briefly before council meetings.

Columbia Missourian • 06/09/2023

City Council, staff conclude retreat displaying stronger bonds

I covered the annual Columbia City Council retreat, where new rules on communication were established and bonds grew. It was very interesting seeing City Council members from a new perspective and being able to bring that into my reporting.

Columbia Missourian • 06/02/2023

Andrea Waner gives health update, plans for rest of term

Second Ward Councilperson Andrea Waner underwent surgery during which her right eye was removed because of a diagnosis of ocular melanoma, an aggressive cancer. What originally was planned to be a conversation for another story ended up being a story of its own. This goes to show what genuine, engaging conversations can lead to.

Columbia Missourian • 05/07/2023

Columbia Police officers under criminal investigation for use of force

Multiple Columbia Police officers will face a criminal investigation after a video circulated social media showing the officers' use of force. Footage shows two officers restraining a person on the ground, while one strikes the individual in the face repeatedly and appears to use pepper spray and a stun gun. I spoke with the Columbia Police Department and included the information they were able to release at the time.

Columbia Missourian • 06/09/2023

Keith Comfort pleads guilty to strangling his wife in their Columbia apartment

Three days before his jury trial was set to begin, Keith Comfort pleaded guilty to strangling his wife in 2006 and tossing her body into a dumpster behind their apartment building. He was sentenced to 26 years in prison — 22 years for second-degree murder and four for abandonment of a corpse. Comfort was arrested in 2019 after confessing to police that he murdered his wife, Megan Shultz.

Columbia Missourian • 06/20/2023

City Council votes to increase electric rates effective July 1

This week's Columbia City Council meeting lasted well past our print deadline. I had to write copy as the meeting progressed, leaving my editors and I to speed-produce this story and submit it two minutes before deadline. I am happy to have the experience and increased my multitasking skills this night.

Columbia Missourian • 06/05/2023

Council approves wage increases, but only to certain unions

Three labor organizations appealed to Columbia City Council after experiencing frustrations in contract negotiations with city management. After hearing their presentations, council members voted to approve across the board wage increases by 4% for unrepresented permanent employees, not including these organizations.

Columbia Missourian • 05/05/2023

Short-term rental regulations survey receives backlash

The survey asked a series of questions over respondents' views on short-term rental regulations. Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission don't believe the results of the survey are accurate, with AI technology being one of the reasons why they may not be trustworthy. I attended the commission's work session and compiled information from that meeting with previous reporting done over the past five years.

Columbia Missourian • 04/17/2023

Wildcat Materials employees strike over working conditions

Wildcat Materials employees are on strike in effort to get higher wages, better insurance and adjusted overtime policies. I interviewed some of the strikers at 7 a.m., then wrote this story in the newsroom directly after.

Columbia Missourian • 04/21/2023

Wildcat Materials employees rally after five-day strike

I followed up on a previous story I wrote about Wildcat Materials employees striking for higher wages, more comprehensive insurance and better overtime scheduling.

Columbia Missourian • 04/27/2023

Wildcat Materials ratifies new contract, strike concludes

Wildcat Materials agreed on a 10% raise for employees in 2023, followed by additional 3% raises in 2024 and 2025. I continuously covered this strike and concluded my coverage with this story.

Columbia Missourian • 08/24/2023

New business roundup: Restaurants and other outlets arrive over the summer

For the Missourian's welcome issue for incoming MU students, I wrote about each new business that opened since school ended in May.

Columbia Missourian • 06/03/2023

Unions accuse city of negotiating in bad faith, allowing rampant crime

Local unions called on supporters to attend a City Council meeting in response to management "not bargaining in good faith" and council members "allowing rampant, violent crime." My lasting relationship with sources at LiUNA Local 955 allowed me to report in-depth on this prior to the council meeting.

Columbia Missourian • 06/17/2023

Electric rate increase faces vote by City Council

I wrote a preview to Columbia City Council's upcoming meeting, which they planned to vote on a proposed electric rate increase. This increase was very complicated, especially since I had no reporting experience on this issue prior. It required lots of research and I am proud of the outcome, especially since it was on a tight deadline.

Columbia Missourian • 05/15/2023

City Council talks consolidated bus routes, new homelessness job

I covered my first City Council meeting, where American Rescue Plan Act applications were motioned to be publicized and more. I also live tweeted the meeting, which allowed me to gain more experience on quick reporting.