Our stories tell small tales that illustrate the bigger picture. From a basement chocolate factory exemplifying the power of one, to a group of idealistic hackers looking to save the world, this spring's Intern Edition seeks to explore the world through some unique personal stories.
May 4, 2012
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When Egypt shut down the Internet at the outset of the Arab Spring, a group of hackers in Washington, D.C. took note. Hoping to create an alternate Internet immune from government control, they launched Project Byzantium. But are their goals feasible?
Reported by David Wagner / Animation by Julia Ro / Produced by Mallory Yu / Audio engineered by Ja’anai Delaney.
May 3, 2012
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Post-traumatic stress disorder has been getting a lot of attention recently as soldiers return from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. But PTSD can also affect civilians. William Edwards developed PTSD after witnessing a fatal shooting while on duty as a police officer in Camarillo, Calif. His life – and the lives of his family members – have never been the same since.
Reported by Isabel Angell / Produced by Isabel Angell and Lauren Benichou.
Photo courtesy of the Edwards family.
May 3, 2012
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Ben Rasmussen is the man behind Potomac Chocolates. He’s known as a bean-to-bar chocolate maker, meaning he does it all from scratch. And though Rasmussen’s methods are intriguing, they’re not half as interesting as where he practices his craft — in his basement.
Reported and produced by Ted Burnham / Photos by John Rose.
May 3, 2012
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This past April Fool’s Day was filled with dozens of fake news stories and improbable headlines, but for one group of marchers in D.C., April 1 was no joke. Outside the Capitol Building, a group of men and women gathered to support a different cause: the mustache. Organized by the American Mustache Institute and dubbed the “Million Mustache March”, the rally and subsequent march along Pennsylvania Ave. to the White House was organized to show support for an often overlooked group, “mustached Americans”.
Reported by Xavier Lacombe / Photos by John Rose.
May 2, 2012
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From Charlemagne’s Crusades to this year’s Koran burning outside Kabul, history is full of episodes that begin with a misunderstanding and end in conflict. But in South Bronx, New York, two congregations have found harmony in a shared meeting place, despite differing beliefs.
Reported and produced by Lauren Benichou / Audio engineered by Dan Raby.
Leon Bleckmann wearing his signature cap in his South Bronx apartment. Bleckmann was former treasurer of the Jewish congregation that lost their meeting place before being assisted by a local mosque. Photo by Lauren Benichou.
May 2, 2012
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As interns, we know that finding a solid job in this economy isn’t easy. But some marginalized groups – like the District’s transgender community – face additional hurdles. Project Empowerment is one organization that is trying to level the playing field.
Reported by Amanda Yeager / Produced by Lauren Benichou.
May 2, 2012
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This “living museum” in North Carolina was created from remnants of a former thrift store, and their collection of seemingly invaluable items are now infused with artistic purpose – but not one of them is for sale.
Reported and produced by Jenna Strucko / Audio engineered by Ja’anai Delaney / Photographed by Jack Rodenfels (with photos edited by Stuart Jones).
May 2, 2012
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Educators are always talking about “critical thinking,” but how do you teach it? One school near D.C. thinks it has found a recipe for success in its unique “Humane Letters” class, which combines Socratic discussion with the close reading of classic texts.
Reported by Josef Kuhn / Produced by Natalie Jones / Audio engineered by Dan Raby.
Trinity School eleventh-grader Theresa DeCelle compares notes in class with a friend. Courtesy of Trinity School at Meadow View.
May 2, 2012
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Newly-minted attorney David Solan thought he was set for a job right out of law school. When the jobs did not come he turned to a friend for an unexpected opportunity. The Muslim Pakistani community of Baltimore, Maryland was in need of a lawyer but they would not accept just anyone.
Reported and produced by Jacob Madel and Ja’anai Delaney.
Photo by John Rose.
May 2, 2012
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After two years, D.C. residents are closer than ever to being able to purchase marijuana legally for medical purposes. However, there are some who are not too excited about their new neighbors’ line of work. The new war over marijuana goes beyond just morality — instead, it unearths questions about safety and community development.
Reported by Sam Collins / Produced by Xavier Lacombe and Lauren Benichou.
May 2, 2012
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Rep. Pete Stark is the only “out-of-the-closet” non-theist in Congress. But that doesn’t mean he is alone in his convictions.
Reported by Amber Kiwan / Produced by Alexandra Dukakis / Audio engineered by Dan Raby.
May 2, 2012
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The Historical Society of Washington didn’t exactly hit the ground running when it relocated to the Carnegie Library in 2001. Last May, after 10 years of financial trouble and few visitors, it finally closed its doors to the public. But this year, thanks to a resilient volunteer base and a very generous donation, this D.C. institution just might get a second chance.
Reported and produced by Caitlin Dickerson / Audio engineered by Lauren Benichou.
May 2, 2012
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The sport lacrosse has broken out of its prep school image – all the way over in Los Angeles.
Reported and produced by Isabel Angell / Audio engineered by Natalie Jones.
May 2, 2012
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The act of openly welcoming gay and lesbian members into the church has created years of conflict for a D.C. area Mennonite congregation. They were stripped of voting rights by their conference, but the future is looking up — conference leaders have decided it’s time to try and reconcile.
Reported and produced by Natalie Jones.
Cynthia Lapp, pastor of Hyattsville Mennonite Church in Hyattsville, Md., speaks as a group of young Mennonites and ministers, wearing pink, gather to protest outside the Mennonite Church USA's biannual meeting on July 2, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. Lapp's congregation lost its voting rights within the church conference for welcoming gays and lesbians, although the conference has recently told Lapp they want to find a way to reconcile. Credit: Kiichiro Sato/AP
May 2, 2012
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When you hear the word “hollaback,” you might think of Gwen Stefani’s 2005 song “Hollaback Girl.” But for many women here in D.C. and across the country, the word has become synonymous with the movement to end public sexual harassment.
Reported by Mallory Yu / Produced by David Wagner / Audio engineered by Ja’anai Delaney.
May 2, 2012
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For more than a thousand years, Chinese artists have channeled their creative energy into images of “bird-and-flowers”. The careful brushstrokes and soft colors have now endured a metamorphosis in contemporary artist Lawrence Yun’s new series, ‘Hybrid Romance.’
Reported and produced by Helen Zhao.
'Summer Romance', painting and photograph by Lawrence Yun
May 2, 2012
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One man claims to offer every voter free ponies. Another wishes to govern on the 1611 King James Bible. What do they have in common? They’re all officially running for president, and they have the campaign songs — boom boxes included — to prove it.
Reported by Andrew Otis / Produced by Alexandra Dukakis.
May 2, 2012
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New York City launched its Restaurant Inspection & Grading System 18 months ago. Mayor Bloomberg declares the program a phenomenal success. Restaurant operators beg to differ.
Reported by Stephen Schaber / Produced by Stephannie Stokes.