With the blink of an eye, June is over. Demonstrations have popped up across the country in response to the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died while in police custody on Memorial Day. While much of the attention has focused on mass protests and violent scuffles in large cities, Southern Illinois has seen many demonstrations across its rural communities. While at times there were tense moments, the demonstrations remained peaceful and sparked dialogue about topics such as inequality, community policing, excessive use of force, and systemic racism.

I spent the month covering a lot of these demonstrations for both The Southern Illinoisan and Thomson Reuters. It was great being able to shine the national spotlight a little bit on what some say is Anna's first protest of its kind along with Reuter's Mica Rosenberg. The reporting and images got picked up around the globe and we were able to show the impact of these demonstrations in small towns and large cities alike.

Aside from demonstration coverage, I wrapped up a 7-month-long investigation that uncovered years of hazing – impacting over 100 fraternity men – which included acts sexual and mental humiliation, paddle beatings, forced servitude, consumption of animals and mental degradation. I also had the opportunity to work on other odds and ends which you can find below. It's a privilege to be able to document and tell these stories throughout our community and I am ever thankful for the opportunities which allow me to do so.

Here are stories I've written on this month for Thomson Reuters:
Protests against police violence sweep across small-town America

Here are stories I've written on this month for The Southern Illinoisan:
SIU Carbondale fraternity, sorority suspended after investigations reveal years of hazing
Illinois wine industry group looks to unite industry one rosé at a time | Brian Munoz's ceviche tips
Carbondale businesses vandalized; demonstrators, city denounce crimes
Drive-thru march in Carbondale creates alternative demonstration
‘Sharing the love’: Demonstrators in Marion march for equality, peace
Black students at Carbondale Community High School disproportionately disciplined compared to their peers