Robert Overmann

NEWS WRITING

I enjoy writing with the clarity, objectivity, and conciseness that news writing requires.

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"Outbreak Unlikely at TSU"

Truman State University Index

March 2015

Kirksville, Missouri

Overmann_Index_Measles.pdf

I wrote this story because I have been following the anti-vaccine various measles outbreaks throughout the country during early 2015, and I wanted to find out how likely an outbreak of measles might be at Truman. I was also curious about whether there was an anti-vaccine movement on Truman's campus.

For this investigative piece, I spoke with pertinent campus officials and a biology professor to better understand what an outbreak might look like on Truman's campus and what policies are in place to prevent one.

This story was fascinating for me, and I knew that if I was concerned about the possibility of infectious disease on Truman's campus, other students probably were as well.

I wrote and edited this story, but I did not design the page or the information graphic.

Overmann_Index_Fire

"Former Business Destroyed, Owner Unsure of Next Steps"

Truman State University Index

April 2015

Kirksville, Missouri

This was a heartbreaking story to cover, to be frank.

I reported to the fire scene to take photographs around midnight one night — I had early classes, but who could resist covering breaking news?The building turned into an inferno because of extremely windy conditions.

When I later followed up with the owner, I learned that the building had been home to his family business for almost four decades. He told me about how multiple generations of his family had gotten their start there, and how sad it was to see the building burn.

The story was a perfect reminder of how important it is that journalists be sensitive with their sources, and that sometimes the story isn't about the blaze itself, but about the people behind it.

I wrote, edited, and photographed for this story. I wrote a brief version to put online the morning following the event, and expanded on the story for the Index's print edition.

Each year, the Southeast Missourian awards one outstanding Cape Girardeau citizen the Spirit of America award. This award recognizes an individual for their tireless contributions to their community.

I was inspired by local businessman Kent Zickfield's joy in receiving the award. Zickfield is a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau and has worked to revitalize the city's once-ailing downtown.

I was proud to report this story: having been born and raised in Cape Girardeau, I like that the downtown community has been revitalized from a crime-ridden area to one where residents are proud to frequent.

I wrote the story, but did not take the associated photograph or design the page.