I remember the moment I knew -- for certain this time -- that I wanted to be a journalist. It came when I was given the opportunity to meet and introduce Seymour Hersh at a lecture on the University of Iowa Campus. He told me I had an unfortunate encounter with a pair of sheers. I told him I admired his work.The brief encounter was akin to a 12-year-old girl meeting Hannah Montana. I was in awe. And I decided then and there that the fraternity that is the fourth estate was a club I wanted to be a part of.
So here I am.
It's my goal now to advance, through my reporting and writing, the kind of civil discourse that is so important to maintaining a healthy, informed public. To do that, I work diligently to ask tough, intelligent questions, press for facts that transcend press releases and present the issues with style, context and fairness. I hope the stories found here illustrate these characteristics.
This Web site is intended to provide a snapshot of my career and work to date. It is by no means comprehensive so please do not hesitate to contact me for additional information.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Drew Kerr
6 Franklin Square, Apt. 10.
6 Franklin Square, Apt. 10.
Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866
drewbkerr@gmail.com
319.573.2885
drewbkerr@gmail.com
319.573.2885
Education
- University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Majors: B.A., Journalism, Political Science concentration
- Graduation date: May 2007GPA: 3.34/4.0
Experience
- Reporter, Glens Falls Post Star, Glens Falls, N.Y. (August 2007-Present) Bureau reporter in Saratoga Springs satellite office. I cover breaking news, city and county government, features, cops and courts, schools and other general assignments. Also maintain a Saratoga Springs blog, Saratoga Snippets.
- Reporter, Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln, Neb. (May 2007-August 2007) Wrote a series looking at the impact of Sputnik 50 years since its launch that was put on the Lee Enterprises wire. General assignment/feature reporter.
- Correspondent, The Des Moines Register, Iowa City, Iowa (January 2007-May 2007) Covered cops, courts, the 2008 presidential campaign and other feature stories in eastern Iowa for the state’s largest newspaper.
- Reporter, The Working Press, Chicago, Ill. (August 2006) One of a small group of students selected by the Society of Professional Journalists to produce a daily newspaper at their annual convention. An example of my work there can be found here.
- Reporter, The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette, Iowa City, Iowa (May 2006 – August 2006) Covered general news in the newspaper’s Iowa City bureau and was the sole reporter on the weekends responsible for all breaking news.
- Editor, University Edition, Iowa City, Iowa (May 2006) Assigned, edited and organized a 120-page guide to the University of Iowa and Iowa City sent to each new student.
- News Editor/Projects reporter/G.A. reporter, The Daily Iowan, Iowa City, Iowa (December 2003 – May 2006) Managed a team of 25 reporters, editing, assigning, and writing news stories. Also served on the editorial board, led a new effort to create in-depth enterprise stories on a regular basis and helped determine what was found on the front page each day.
- Reporter, Fort Dodge Messenger, Fort Dodge, Iowa (May 2005 – September 2005) General assignment reporter and photographer, writing about methamphetamine, area flooding, and race relations in rural Iowa.
Activities
- Conversational Spanish - Spent four months living as an exchange student and studying the language in Spain (Fall 2006).
- Won the Society of Professional Journalists' first and third place Mark of Excellence awards for in-depth reporting in 2005.
- Investigative story about house parties in Iowa City recognized by the Associated College Press as one of the top features in the country in 2006.
- Other work experience – Camp counselor, legal aide/researcher in a law office.
- Interests - Hiking, biking, camping, reading, volunteering, politics.
References
- Scott Donnelly, assistant news editor, Glens Falls Post Star, 518.742.3227, sdonnelly@poststar.com
- Peter Salter, city editor, Lincoln Journal Star, 402-.473.4200, psalter@journalstar.com
- Erin Jordan, Iowa City bureau chief, The Des Moines Register, 319.351.6527, ejordan@dmreg.com
- Stephen Berry, associate professor of journalism, University of Iowa, 319.335.3331, stephen-berry@uiowa.edu
Notable Works
Stories included in this section represent work of mine that is still available online. In many cases, my past work has been archived and is no longer available. Further stories can be provided in hard copy, however. If there is a broken link, I apologize. All of the stories were available at the time I posted.
'A BOND OF HEALING'
Two hours south of Saratoga Springs, just outside the city of New Paltz, N.Y., is a medium security prison with a farm. It is there that retired thoroughbred race horses have found a place to spend their retirements. The Catskills providing an idyllic, mountainous backdrop, the horses spend their days grazing in the fields under the care of inmates. The coupling of felon and race horse makes for some interesting relationships, as I explore in this recent Sunday story.
D-DAY VETERANS BECOMING RARE
World War II veterans are dying at an estimated rate of 1,000 a day. They are taking their stories with them. And for those who served in the Allied Force's invasion of Normandy -- D-Day -- they are often taking them alone.
ALONE, A FAMILY MOURNS
The Brown family, a middle-class collection of chain smokers who live in a humble two story home on Fourth Street in Glens Falls, N.Y., are the very embodiment of the Iraq war. Their story -- or more adequately the story of their 21-year-old son Nathan Patrick Brown -- begins with promise and hope. A career with the National Guard, money for college, a loving finance and an opportunity to see the world. The situation quickly dimmed, ending in RPG-induced tragedy on the streets of Samarra, Iraq. Four years later, and left largely to themselves, the family continues to struggle with their loss. Find the full story, from Memorial Day 2008, here.
TOBACCO'S LAST STAND
Public policy is increasingly aligned against the smoking public. This story examines the impact of the collective backlash, including New York's recently increased tobacco tax.
PUNCHER'S CHANCE
A small community with a tradition of boxing struggles to keep the sport alive. Includes video.
VICTORY MILLS
DRUG COURT
CORINTH FIRE
MISC.
Several stories from my experience at the Post-Star have since been taken off the web. Foreseeing that this might be the case, I saved several on a parallel blog I maintain. Find four stories in a post on that blog here.
They cover the increasing role of DNA in crime fighting, how a small, historic community responds to a controversial cell phone tower application, the prospect of a large computer chip factory locating locally, a look at how the area gets its electricity and the indictment of a pair of local businessmen.
DRIVE INS
By the time I got around to writing about Nebraska's drive-ins there were just three left. A photographer and I visited each one and cataloged the stories behind their owners and the people who continued to take in the movies at these relics of the past. The result was a three page Sunday spread that evoked nostalgia and painted, unfortunately for fans of these venues, a grim scenario in which the rising cost of property could spell their ultimate demise. Find the story and a slideshow here.
'A BOND OF HEALING'
Two hours south of Saratoga Springs, just outside the city of New Paltz, N.Y., is a medium security prison with a farm. It is there that retired thoroughbred race horses have found a place to spend their retirements. The Catskills providing an idyllic, mountainous backdrop, the horses spend their days grazing in the fields under the care of inmates. The coupling of felon and race horse makes for some interesting relationships, as I explore in this recent Sunday story.
D-DAY VETERANS BECOMING RARE
World War II veterans are dying at an estimated rate of 1,000 a day. They are taking their stories with them. And for those who served in the Allied Force's invasion of Normandy -- D-Day -- they are often taking them alone.
ALONE, A FAMILY MOURNSThe Brown family, a middle-class collection of chain smokers who live in a humble two story home on Fourth Street in Glens Falls, N.Y., are the very embodiment of the Iraq war. Their story -- or more adequately the story of their 21-year-old son Nathan Patrick Brown -- begins with promise and hope. A career with the National Guard, money for college, a loving finance and an opportunity to see the world. The situation quickly dimmed, ending in RPG-induced tragedy on the streets of Samarra, Iraq. Four years later, and left largely to themselves, the family continues to struggle with their loss. Find the full story, from Memorial Day 2008, here.
TOBACCO'S LAST STANDPublic policy is increasingly aligned against the smoking public. This story examines the impact of the collective backlash, including New York's recently increased tobacco tax.
PUNCHER'S CHANCE
A small community with a tradition of boxing struggles to keep the sport alive. Includes video.
VICTORY MILLSUpstate New York is in turns a beautiful bastion of undeveloped land and an industrial wasteland, where jobs and development are often lacking. This is a case in point. But a group of developers has big ambitions for this former mill -- and they invite us inside to tell us all about it.
DRUG COURT
A look at how Saratoga County's drug court system, and similar efforts in neighboring counties, is helping some troubled men and women avoid incarceration and regain their footing. Includes interviews with program participants, district attorneys and court officials. Find the story here.
CORINTH FIRE
A small community reels from a devastating fire that claimed three of the anchor buildings in town. Breaking news is followed by several weeks of follow-ups covering what could have prevented the fire, complications in the clean-up and controversy about how it's handled.
* Photo credit: Drew Kerr.
* Photo credit: Drew Kerr.MISC.
Several stories from my experience at the Post-Star have since been taken off the web. Foreseeing that this might be the case, I saved several on a parallel blog I maintain. Find four stories in a post on that blog here.
They cover the increasing role of DNA in crime fighting, how a small, historic community responds to a controversial cell phone tower application, the prospect of a large computer chip factory locating locally, a look at how the area gets its electricity and the indictment of a pair of local businessmen.
DRIVE INS
By the time I got around to writing about Nebraska's drive-ins there were just three left. A photographer and I visited each one and cataloged the stories behind their owners and the people who continued to take in the movies at these relics of the past. The result was a three page Sunday spread that evoked nostalgia and painted, unfortunately for fans of these venues, a grim scenario in which the rising cost of property could spell their ultimate demise. Find the story and a slideshow here.
SPUTNIK
After graduating in May 2007, I spent three months reporting and writing as a 'scholar' for Lee Enterprises. I was located at the Lincoln Journal Star in Lincoln, Neb. where I was a general assignment reporter.
I was not writing for the local audience alone, however.
While in Lincoln, I wrote a series of articles reflecting on the impact of Sputnik's launch -- which the Soviets succeeded in a half-century earlier (and over a quarter century before I was born). The project involved several members of the newsroom -- a dutiful editor, a multimedia expert and the photography department. I was responsible for coordinating their efforts as well as assembling the research, conducting dozens of interviews (with retired NASA officials, renowned space entrepreneurs, and scientists) and brining it all together.
You can find all of the stories, video and other multimedia at the Journal Star's Web site here. There is also a podcast interview between myself and the project editor, Kevin Abourezk, available there.
The series was offered to each of the newspapers in Lee Enterprises. Several, including the Post Star nd the Pantagraph in Bloomington, Ill. published it.
After graduating in May 2007, I spent three months reporting and writing as a 'scholar' for Lee Enterprises. I was located at the Lincoln Journal Star in Lincoln, Neb. where I was a general assignment reporter.
I was not writing for the local audience alone, however.
While in Lincoln, I wrote a series of articles reflecting on the impact of Sputnik's launch -- which the Soviets succeeded in a half-century earlier (and over a quarter century before I was born). The project involved several members of the newsroom -- a dutiful editor, a multimedia expert and the photography department. I was responsible for coordinating their efforts as well as assembling the research, conducting dozens of interviews (with retired NASA officials, renowned space entrepreneurs, and scientists) and brining it all together.
You can find all of the stories, video and other multimedia at the Journal Star's Web site here. There is also a podcast interview between myself and the project editor, Kevin Abourezk, available there.
The series was offered to each of the newspapers in Lee Enterprises. Several, including the Post Star nd the Pantagraph in Bloomington, Ill. published it.
WOMEN VETERANS COME TOGETHER
DES MOINES REGISTER
Many of the stories I wrote while working as an Iowa City corespondent for The Des Moines Register can no longer be located online. However, some hold outs remain. They include an interview with then presidential candidate Sam Brownback and a story about survivors of clergy abuse.
HOUSE PARTIES
Though still barred from the front lines, women are playing an ever increasing role in the military. Though their experiences increasingly parallel their male counterparts, many differences remain. This group of Nebraska women are coming together to support one another and discuss the challenges their gender encounters as their role evolves.
DES MOINES REGISTER
Many of the stories I wrote while working as an Iowa City corespondent for The Des Moines Register can no longer be located online. However, some hold outs remain. They include an interview with then presidential candidate Sam Brownback and a story about survivors of clergy abuse.
HOUSE PARTIES
This series, titled 'Tales from the unregulated wasteland,' represents months of research and reporting in what was among The Daily Iowan's first ever efforts to produce an in-depth series.
Myself, another reporter, a videographer and a photographer spent several nights at parties across Iowa City, interviewed police in each city that played host to a Big Ten school and spoke with local officials about their thoughts on public policy and binge drinking. The story was recognized as a top in-depth report by SPJ in 2005 and was among the top feature stories recognized by the Associated College Press in 2006.
Find the main bar here and a follow-up here.
Myself, another reporter, a videographer and a photographer spent several nights at parties across Iowa City, interviewed police in each city that played host to a Big Ten school and spoke with local officials about their thoughts on public policy and binge drinking. The story was recognized as a top in-depth report by SPJ in 2005 and was among the top feature stories recognized by the Associated College Press in 2006.
Find the main bar here and a follow-up here.
PIERRE PIERCE
Star basketball player Pierre Pierce, a man who many thought was destined for the NBA, became the subject of fierce scrutiny after he was twice arrested on sexual assault charges during his career at the University of Iowa. This story probes Pierce's past, incorporating interviews with his high school coaches, his father and those who knew him during adolescence. It represents an exercise in persistence, as most of those involved were uninterested in divulging anything about someone so close to them, particularly during the sensitive period during the run up to Pierce's sentencing.
Star basketball player Pierre Pierce, a man who many thought was destined for the NBA, became the subject of fierce scrutiny after he was twice arrested on sexual assault charges during his career at the University of Iowa. This story probes Pierce's past, incorporating interviews with his high school coaches, his father and those who knew him during adolescence. It represents an exercise in persistence, as most of those involved were uninterested in divulging anything about someone so close to them, particularly during the sensitive period during the run up to Pierce's sentencing.
NEW ORLEANS
Seven months after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, I visited the Big Easy to spend a week reporting. The catalyst for the trip was an encounter with three men, members of the so-called Soul Patrol, who ushered people to safety from their base in the seventh-ward. They visited the University of Iowa and shared their compelling narrative. I felt I was only telling part of their story, however, so decided to take in the scene for myself.
While in New Orleans, I met up with the only member of the Soul Patrol to return to New Orleans, visited with college students who were assisting in the clean-up and toured Dillard University, which had taken up residence in an area hotel because their campus was left uninhabitable. Also, find a column I wrote before the visit here.
Seven months after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, I visited the Big Easy to spend a week reporting. The catalyst for the trip was an encounter with three men, members of the so-called Soul Patrol, who ushered people to safety from their base in the seventh-ward. They visited the University of Iowa and shared their compelling narrative. I felt I was only telling part of their story, however, so decided to take in the scene for myself.
While in New Orleans, I met up with the only member of the Soul Patrol to return to New Orleans, visited with college students who were assisting in the clean-up and toured Dillard University, which had taken up residence in an area hotel because their campus was left uninhabitable. Also, find a column I wrote before the visit here.
