Here are some recent highlights from the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute …
I launched a podcast for the institute called “Simoncast.” I secured a distribution deal with our local NPR affiliate, something that’s helped more people hear the wide-ranging conversations we have with government and private sector leaders, political analysts, philanthropists, authors and journalists.
I encouraged the institute director to write a monthly op-ed series and secured statewide syndication through the Illinois Press Association’s Capitol News Illinois. I edit the op-eds before they are distributed.
I edited this highlight video to showcase our first year of virtual conversations:
Here are some highlights from The Southern Illinoisan …
The newsroom received awards from Illinois Associated Press Media Editors and the Illinois Press Association in 2020 for investigative reporting, public service journalism, editorial writing, photography, newspaper design, and more. This editorial about the protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death took first place. We took third place in general excellence from Illinois APME.
This issue of Life & Style Magazine, all about the legends and lore of Southern Illinois, truly has all of my favorite things: history, interesting stories about incredible people, and a little bit of the supernatural.
I was especially proud of The Southern’s coverage of the racial justice protests that followed the death of George Floyd:
- In wake of Floyd death, rural, white Southern Illinois towns are reckoning with racist past by Molly Parker with photos by Byron Hetzler
- March in Cairo — birthplace of civil rights in the Heartland — calls for end to racism by Molly Parker with photos by Byron Hetzler
- Author: Sundown towns in Southern Illinois should acknowledge racist past, take steps to change by Molly Parker
- ‘Ain’t No Negativity Allowed’: In Anna, nearly 200 demonstrate against police brutality by Isaac Smith with photos by Byron Hetzler
- Editorial: We have to start here by The Southern Illinoisan editorial board
- Multimedia collection: Southern Illinoisans hold demonstrations in response to George Floyd death by Brian Munoz, Byron Hetzler, Molly Parker, Isaac Smith and Marilyn Halstead
The Southern was recognized as one of the top newspapers in the state in 2019 by two industry organizations: The Southern honored with 2 major state awards.