Mary Norkol, Investigate Midwest

Gary Marx Journalism Fund Fellow

Mary Norkol has covered education, housing, arts and culture, city government and COVID-19 for various news organizations, including the Chicago Sun-Times.

She says her passion is teaching. Congress called her the meatpacking industry’s ‘go-to fixer.’

Mindy Brashears, the former head of the USDA's agency overseeing meatpacking plants, has been largely quiet about her agency’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, in exclusive interviews, she addresses the criticism the USDA put food production over worker safety.

By Mary Norkol, Investigate Midwest

/ 28 Sep 2022

She says her passion is teaching. Congress called her the meatpacking industry’s ‘go-to fixer.’

Big Ag companies largely silent in wake of Roe v. Wade reversal

Over the past month, Investigate Midwest contacted 11 leading Big Ag companies about their health care policies regarding abortion. Only one answered our questions.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest, Mónica Cordero, Investigate Midwest, Kendall Little, Investigate Midwest, Aruni Soni, Investigate Midwest, Heather Robinson, Investigate Midwest, Mary Norkol, Investigate Midwest and Marley Schultz, Investigate Midwest

/ 28 Jul 2022

Big Ag companies largely silent in wake of Roe v. Wade reversal

GRAPHIC: Wheat, rice and milk prices have increased since last year

As American consumers feel the effects of inflation, so do farmers.

By Mary Norkol, Investigate Midwest

/ 21 Jul 2022

GRAPHIC: Wheat, rice and milk prices have increased since last year

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