Mary Hansen
Former ReporterMary Hansen is a former NPR Illinois reporter. She graduated from the Public Affairs Reporting program at the University of Illinois Springfield, where she spent a legislative session covering statehouse news for The Daily Herald. Previously, Mary reported for The State Journal-Register, covering city government. She received her BA in International Studies from American University.
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Keena Small, mother of Gregory Small, Jr., said the charge against him is being used to justify the narrative the police officer was right to shoot him. -
During a pandemic that led many to grapple with grief, distress and isolation – and civil rights uprising against police brutality and systemic racism – a lack of support for those suffering from mental health distress became increasingly evident. There is a growing movement to create a mental health crisis response that doesn’t solely rely on police. -
Much of the conversation about what the east side lacks revolves around access – access to good jobs, quality education, transportation and more, Dominic Watson said, hence the name for his idea, Community Access Project (CAP) 1908. “We need to listen to the community, and they’re going to guide us and tell us what they want to see long term,” Watson said. The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln highlighted community-led investment on the east side as one of its priorities for The Next 10 Community Visioning plan. -
Renee Watts describes her younger brother – Stephon – as nerdy and God-fearing.“He enjoyed talking to anyone who would listen about computer games,… -
After denying public records requests to release the recording of a 911 call and dash camera footage of a police shooting in March, the Village of Chatham… -
Police reform activists in Springfield are calling for an aggravated assault charge to be dropped against Gregory Small, Jr., a Chatham man who was shot… -
Next to the sign announcing the folk section of a new exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) is a collection of trinkets… -
A new exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum features music legends with Illinois connections and explores the state's impact on… -
At the Orr Building at the corner of the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Lisa Scacco — sporting an “I got my COVID-19 vaccine” sticker — spends the… -
Despite shelving around 2,300 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday, the Sangamon County Department of Public Health won’t have trouble…
