Louis Hansen

Oct 11, 2024 | whro.org | Louis Hansen

A nonprofit newsroom has sued the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for the certification and disciplinary records of law enforcement officers, an effort that aims to give police departments and the public a better way to track wayward cops.

Sep 3, 2024 | whro.org | Louis Hansen

Democracy at Work is an election-season series from VCIJ at WHRO. People share stories about how they upheld the core ideals of American democracy. Dozens of journalists and partisans gathered in a Richmond conference room in early January, 2018 to watch the chairman of the Virginia Board of Elections reach into a ceramic bowl. He grabbed one of two canisters, opened its lid and pulled out a slip of paper. “David Yancey,” he announced.

May 16, 2024 | whro.org | Louis Hansen

By Louis HansenThe Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHROSpurred by a VCIJ at WHRO and ProPublica investigation, the recently approved Virginia budget includes nearly $60,000 over the next two years for a commission to study the disruption public college and university expansions have had on Black communities. The statewide panel will probe historic land acquisitions and consider potential redress for Black families and their descendants.

Mar 4, 2024 | whro.org | Louis Hansen

Between 2010 and 2019, the number of children sent to foster care because of parental drug abuse soared by 60%. It's now the second leading cause behind neglect for children entering Virginia's social safety net. Richmond reporter Leah Small  followed Vicki Lightfoot, a retiree, caring for her four grandchildren. Lightfoot’s daughter has struggled with addiction for more than a decade. This interview was edited for length and clarity.

Oct 2, 2023 | vpm.org | Louis Hansen

Read the original story on WHRO's website. At their annual reunion, Deborah Taylor Mapp and her former neighbors shared memories of growing up in the Norfolk neighborhood Lambert's Point when it was a thriving middle-class Black community. Over dinner at the Sunset Grill, a local bar that was called Nell’s back in their day, they bragged about the Lambert's Point teams dominating youth sports in Norfolk.