The cost of our car-crazy culture—and what we can do to free ourselves
From dangerous pedestrian crossings and endless traffic jams to environmental damage and rising household expenses, writer Kim Whiting examines how dependence on automobiles shapes daily life--and what we can do to be less reliant on our cars. She argues that a new vision of transportation--whether public transit, walkable communities or innovative transportation solutions--could create healthier, safer, and more connected communities for future generations. It's a Reporters Inc. Original.
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Why are the majority of Americans letting the top 1% turn our country into something unrecognizable?
G. Marshall Brooks reflects on her growing concerns and confusion about the current threats to Americans' voting rights and civil liberties. Drawing on her own memories of the Civil Rights Movement, she urges readers to stay informed, remain engaged, and protect democratic values before the lessons of the past are forgotten. Marshall Brooks says, "I remember it all. Do you?"
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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