757 Gun Violence: Chiefs on the Crisis
Dan invited all seven police chiefs in Hampton Roads to participate in a televised forum about a summer surge in gun violence in July 2021. The rare and unified appearance drove home the urgency of the moment. They said it marked the first time they spoke publicly about the topic as one unit. From guns and gangs to parental accountability and political timidity, nothing was off the table.
The special presentation "757 Gun Violence: Chiefs on the Crisis" was live streamed on our digital platforms. We then dedicated two evening newscasts to recapping some of the key takeaways and memorable moments.
The special presentation "757 Gun Violence: Chiefs on the Crisis" was live streamed on our digital platforms. We then dedicated two evening newscasts to recapping some of the key takeaways and memorable moments.
Full Forum |
Part 1 Recap |
Part 2 Recap |
Pot for Profit: Virginia Legalizes Marijuana
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Virginia lawmakers passed historic legislation in 2021 to legalize marijuana. This special report explores the economic impacts, who is most affected and how a year of racial reckoning played a key role.
Dan recognized the widespread interest in this topic and pitched the idea to begin working on a series of "Pot for Profit" stories for February sweeps that would culminate with this 30-minute special at the end of the month. |
Left Behind: Struggles & Survival in a Post-Pandemic World
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The COVID-19 pandemic impacted so many aspects of our lives, including our jobs and bank accounts. Now, there's hope as Hampton Roads slowly returns to normal. But history shows it won't be easy. Dan investigated the region's slow recovery after the Great Recession, the reasons behind the stunted growth, and how local leaders are reacting now to avoid a repeat. He also looked into racial disparities that could cause some members of the community to be left behind during the economic recovery.
This 30-minute special aired May, 27, 2021, the day before Virginia lifted its final COVID-19 restrictions. |
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#Enough Killing Our Kids
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By mid-2017, it was clear that Nashville was on pace for one of its deadliest years on record, with more teens dying than ever before. The goal of this 30-minute #Enough documentary was to initiate a dialogue about teen violence. We complimented our coverage with a special web section for the documentary that included a memorial page for that year's homicide victims.
Reporters: Dan Kennedy, Chris Conte, Jason Lamb Photographers: Nathan Sharkey, Mike Rose, Catherine Steward, Angie Dones, Bob Stinnett, Brian Hallett |
