Remembering the political insights of a journalism giant
"In the next life, Jack, I’ll be looking for your desk first thing. We’ve got so much more to discuss," The Reporters Inc.'s Mark Saxenmeyer writes. In this loving tribute, Saxenmeyer honors his former co-worker and friend, Jack Conaty.
(more)
Should anyone be held accountable for Sheila Nelson's death?
Sheila Nelson lived with painful rheumatoid arthritis. It eventually overtook every joint of her body, limiting her every movement, and requiring consistent, high level care. In this investigative piece, The Reporters Inc. details reports of severe neglect and abuse at the assisted living facility where Sheila lived and died.
(more)
Out on probation, they photograph their lives to counter stereotypes
The documentary In a Whole New Way: Undoing Mass Incarceration by a Path Untraveled clears up the confusion and misconceptions about probation, and counters negative stereotypes. Creators Jonathan Fisher and George Carrano do so in a truly innovative way—they hand out cameras to people in the New York City probation system, as well as their neighbors and other allies, and have them capture images of their everyday lives.
(more)
Twenty years later, groundbreaking project is re-released in midst of growing LGBTQ+ attacks
The Reporters Inc. celebrates the 20-year anniversary of Experiment: Gay and Straight, a documentary that invited five gay and five straight Chicago-area residents, all strangers to one another, to live together for one week. The participants discussed a multitude of issues and subjects in hopes of fostering understanding, countering misconceptions, and promoting tolerance--if not acceptance--of the differences between homosexual and heterosexual Americans.
(more)
U.S. Census Bureau denies whistleblower's claims of fraud in 88-page document
A year after The Reporters Inc. began investigating claims by three whistleblowers that the validity of the 2020 U.S. Census may have been compromised by “systematic cheating,” the Census has responded with 88 pages of documents refuting the allegations.
(more)
The unwatchable state of local television news
"As you look at state of local news today what do you see?" Joel Cheatwood, the co-founder and managing partner at Cheatwood Media Group, asked Reporters Inc. executive director Mark Saxenmeyer what he thinks of the state of TV news today. Here are Mark's refreshingly honest answers.
(more)
Participants of groundbreaking Experiment in Black and White reflect on project’s lasting impact
"When the subject is race, people shut up. Most don’t want to talk about it, especially in mixed company." The Reporters Inc. celebrates the 20th anniversary of its acclaimed documentary Experiment in Black and White.
(more)
Former census bureau supervisor corroborates whistleblower’s fraud allegations
In a follow-up to a Reporters Inc. exclusive, former U.S. Census Bureau supervisor Charles Betterton corroborates whistleblower allegations that some Census partnerships were fraudulently obtained in Wisconsin.
(more)
New documentary fact-checks Trump rally attendees
In this Reporters Inc. original documentary, we attend a 2019 Trump rally in Minneapolis, Minnesota when he kicked off his reelection bid. We go in-depth with his most fervent supporters on everything from the economy to religion-- and then we do some much-needed fact checking.
(more)
An American suburb revealed during six months of dog walks
The Reporters Inc.'s Mark Saxenmeyer decided to explore all seven square miles of his Minneapolis, Minnesota suburb, Richfield, in the midst of the pandemic. During his daily dog walks he took pictures of the houses, roads and front lawns that showcase the hidden eccentricity and surprises of this middle American town. More than anything, his photo essay shows us that we are not alone, no matter how isolating our situation may be.
(more)
'It's time to get comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations'
"My White privilege carved an easy-to-traverse path," writes Reporters Inc. Executive Director Mark Saxenmeyer. After being confronted for his silence on George Floyd's murder, he decided to share his experiences with race -- from the community he was raised in to the schools he attended, from the career he forged to his daily interactions.
(more)
The Queens now streaming on demand
No one involved ever imagined it would take nine years to release this documentary when The Reporters Inc. began shooting The Queens in the spring of 2011. But that's what happened! In a Q&A with reporter Kim Whiting, Executive Producer Mark Saxenmeyer shares in detail how the film, an exploration of the transgender subculture of drag performance through a prestigious pageant, came to be.
(more)
No funding to combat critical shortage of personal care assistants for disabled
Even when she's getting her nails done, Michelle Lacy, who cerebral palsy, brings a personal care assistant with her. "Because I can't hold my hand still, having someone there is a comfort to me," she says. The Reporters Inc. investigates how a lack of funding has created a shortage in PCAs, leaving some people with disabilities unable to care for themselves.
(more)
An email exchange dissects the Trump presidency
In an era when social media drives news and information consumption, our feeds are constantly filled with sharp but short commentary on Donald Trump's administration and the state of our nation. Often times, thoughtfulness, perspective and context are lost in the exchange. The Reporters Inc.'s board members and advisory committee members were recently invited to start a conversation about the Trump era, as the one-year anniversary of his election approached in November.
(more)Here’s how, and why, I created The Reporters Inc.
Mark Saxenmeyer shares how the non-profit, The Reporters Inc., began and why he felt it was needed.
(more)