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The Making of a “Shooter” AbuseCrimeGunsIncarceration

The Making of a “Shooter”

One Man’s Story Highlights the Elements that Create – and Prevent – Killers

Writer Kim Whiting recounts the story of her friend, Tay Ramey. Once a gifted child, Tay was shaped by abuse, community violence, and a sense that he did not belong in the wider world. Tay was serving a life sentence for murder in California before his death in 2020. His story illustrates, Whiting says, how traumatic experiences and low self-worth can lead people toward violence. It also shows, she argues, that the alternative--being seen and loved--can foster healing. It's a Reporters Inc. Original.

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Kim Whiting
August 12, 2026
Push to the Primaries ActivismDemocracyElections

Push to the Primaries

Democratic voters grapple with concerns and fears as the 2026 midterms approach

As voters go to cast their ballots across the nation in the 2026 primaries, members of the progressive group Indivisible are mobilizing. Motivated by concerns over immigration, reproductive rights, and the future of democracy, activists are pushing for stronger, progressive Democratic leadership while finding support, purpose and community. It’s a Reporters Inc. Original.

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Olivia
August 8, 2026
After Daddy Passed Away FamilyParentingRemembrance

After Daddy Passed Away

G. Marshall Brooks felt lost when her beloved father died; her mother’s physical and mental health then began to decline, essentially forcing 15-year-old G. to take on the overwhelming role of parenting a parent

Marshall Brooks continues chronicling her fascinating life with this next entry from “Life in the Key of G.” While struggling with her own grief, G. is sent to Wyoming to stay with "Brother Number Three" -- who she barely knows. "On the outside, it seemed that I just rolled with the punches," Marshall Brooks writes. "But inside I was just a kid, trying to do what my Daddy told me to do when faced with a challenge." It's a Reporters Inc. Original.

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Olivia
July 21, 2026
Surviving Day-to-Day ActivismBook ReviewsEducationFamilyHomelessness

Surviving Day-to-Day

The chaos of homelessness often makes clear thinking impossible for homeless families; a new book shows us how to truly care for those who need structure, calm, and hope

Diane Nilan has dedicated forty years documenting the reality of family homelessness in America. She’s and traveled more than 500,000 miles across the country, made more than 100 films and has written four books on the subject. Her work combines storytelling with advocacy, helping turn statistics into personal human experiences. Her newest book, Making Bad A Little Better, is a practical and compassionate look at family homelessness. The Reporters Inc. talks with Nilan and offers exclusive excerpts.

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Olivia
July 15, 2026
Some notes on Black America ActivismBlack HistoryCivil RightsRace Relations

Some notes on Black America

A conversation about race in America, past and present—a discussion that somehow always stays the same 

G. Marshall-Brooks shares a complex discussion with one of her friends about "Being Black in America." She believes Civil Rights laws changed the meaning of freedom for everyone in this country, including White people. "I’m definitely not giving a free pass to anyone, whether they were or are actively involved in the oppression of any people or group, or have just stood by and watched. But I am positing the thought that bigotry and hatred have all people and groups in America restricted and restrained."

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Olivia
July 9, 2026
Bearing Witness ActivismBook ReviewsCrimeHealthRapeSexual AssaultSurvivorsWomen

Bearing Witness

How one survivor reframes recovery and healing from sexual violence

For JoDee Neil, the sexual violence she experienced didn't change her life goals--she still became an attorney and mother of two--but it did change the way she functioned. In her new book Outcry Witness, Neil uses her own personal experience and professional knowledge to help other survivors. She claims "being witnessed is the beginning of healing," and urges other women to share their own stories.

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Olivia Hines
May 28, 2026
The Deadly Cost of Caring AnimalsRemembranceSuicide

The Deadly Cost of Caring

After founder’s shocking suicide, a Minnesota fox rescue carries on its mission—despite criticism

Mikayla Raines was always saving orphaned or injured animals, and eventually she started her own rescue, SaveAFox. But in June 2025, Mikayla tragically took her own life at age 29. Her family claims cyberbullying about how she ran the rescue, coupled with Mikayla's mental health led to her suicide. Her husband says, “She put the animals' well-being over her own, time and time again."

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Olivia Hines
May 26, 2026
A “Trip” That Can Cure DepressionDrugsHealthPsychedelics

A “Trip” That Can Cure

Growing evidence about the benefits of psychedelics on mental health

Writer Kim Whiting details new discoveries in the study of psychedelic drugs for mental health treatment. She says an increasing amount of studies show that small doses of psilocybin, or "magic mushrooms," can help people struggling with drug-resistant depression, anxiety and PTSD. They could also help treat addiction and eating disorders. "If only they were legal," Whiting says.

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Kim Whiting
May 21, 2026
The American Dream of Canada Donald TrumpInternationalPoliticsUnited States

The American Dream of Canada

Donald Trump’s desire to take over the U.S.’ northern neighbor conjures up important annexation lessons from history

The U.S. once wanted Canada, long before it became another talking point for the new administration. Writer Brian Gabrial gives a crash course on Canada-U.S. relations dating back to the Revolutionary War, illustrating that history has a way of repeating itself--but perhaps not the way Trump intends.

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Brian Gabrial
May 14, 2026
What’s In A Name IdentityWomen

What’s In A Name

We collect so many monikers from so many people over the years, but do any of our accrued titles actually reflect our true self?

G. Marshall-Brooks has gone by many different names in her life, but none of them, she says, really describe who she is. The names she's been called don't show the pain, heartache and joy she's experienced in her life. However, she writes, "no matter what you call me or who people think I am, I get to choose who I will be and how I live."

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G. Marshall-Brooks
April 8, 2026
Where Is Your Voice? ActivismDemocracyUnited StatesVoting

Where Is Your Voice?

The United States is unrecognizable today. Everything we old timers were taught to believe in has become a lie.

The federal government is silencing voices "one city, and one sly move at a time," writer G. Marshall-Brooks says. She urges her fellow Americans to use their freedom of speech "while you still have it" and stand against what she calls the daily threats to our neighbors, our community, our human rights and our freedom.

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G. Marshall-Brooks
March 16, 2026
Life in the Key of G FamilyHealthHeritageIdentitySexual Assault

Life in the Key of G

From the advances of a predatory pediatrician to the devastating loss of my father, my teenage years were marked by confusion and chaos

The Reporters Inc.’s newest contributor, G. Marshall-Brooks, continues chronicling her fascinating life with this next entry from “Life in the Key of G.” G. began writing about her life in hopes the stories would help her family better understand who she really is, and how she became who she is. G. also hopes these honest, heartfelt essays encourage and inspire others to share their own memories and experiences with loved ones.

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G. Marshall-Brooks
March 4, 2026
Serving those who served DepressionHealthMilitaryVeterans

Serving those who served

A veteran-owned healthcare company has launched a new mental health program for military personnel and their families.

Roughly 41% of veterans need therapy, but the stigma surrounding mental health stops them from seeking help. Many vets struggling with anxiety, depression or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are terrified that it will directly harm their career and reputation. But now, a veteran-owned company, Revolutionary Telehealth, is offering a solution: affordable and confidential online therapy for veterans and military personnel. It’s a Reporters Inc. Original.

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Olivia Hines
February 24, 2026
Reefer Madness BusinessDrugsEconomyMinnesotaNational

Reefer Madness

Rapidly changing regulations in the cannabis industry are leaving small businesses behind, and their customers are frustrated.

For a budding market, the recreational cannabis industry in the U.S. has hit some major roadblocks. Small businesses across the country trying to capitalize on the legalization of marijuana in their states now find themselves struggling to stay afloat. New rules, new taxes, a major shift in marijuana's federal classification, and a tightening of hemp regulations have licensed dealers irate. As a result, some pot users are turning back to the black market, where the unlicensed product is more affordable—and more dangerous.

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Olivia Hines
January 28, 2026
Life in the Key of G FamilyHeritageIdentity

Life in the Key of G

The Reporters Inc.’s new contributor shares vivid episodes from her fascinating life, in hopes of inspiring others to share their own stories

The Reporters Inc. is pleased to introduce our newest contributor, G. Marshall-Brooks. As she details in the introduction to her first column, a recurring feature we’re calling “Life in the Key of G,” she began writing about her life in hopes her stories would help her family better understand who she really is, and how she became who she is. G. also hopes these honest, fascinating essays encourage and inspire others to share their own memories and experiences with loved ones. As she explains, “Embrace the stories of your life as you read mine.”

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G. Marshall-Brooks
December 18, 2025
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