Andrew J. Polk - Fall 2010
Andrew PolkI am a senior at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill., and will graduate in June with a major in political science and minors in journalism and economics. I was born at Georgetown University Hospital in D.C. and lived in the Maryland suburbs until I was 8. Ever since, I have been plotting how to return to the District and seize any opportunity I can find here.
I started writing for my high school newspaper in El Paso, Texas, as a news, feature and opinion writer, and have been experimenting with journalism ever since. In college, I have been writing for the student newspaper, The Knox Student, since I was a freshman, writing mostly about the ins and outs of student government. I've covered some significant local events, such as the student celebration march on downtown after the 2008 election and trip to a political rally in the state capitol in favor of student education grants. I host a campus and community news talk show on the college radio station 90.7 WVKC called "Steam Tunnel Network." I've interviewed newsmakers on and off campus, including mayoral candidates and student government representatives. I've done some work with online journalism, such as creating a comprehensive investigation into the Illinois state budget crisis as a part of an interactive and web-based journalism course.
My father is a documentary filmmaker and producer who previously was a news cameraman in D.C., and my mother is the editor of a business and lifestyle weekly after producing an evening news program in the District. It's really no surprise that I'm finding my way into the business as well.
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U.S. assistance boosts Mexican efforts to enforce rule of law
December 16, 2010 1:57 pmWASHINGTON - Since December 2006, there have been more than 28,300 organized crime-related deaths in Mexico.
NASA discovers arsenic-eating microbe, may broaden search for extra-terrestrial life
December 2, 2010 6:18 pmWASHINGTON - The search for life on other worlds has just gotten more complex.
Outside spending creates greater impact than self funding in midterm elections
November 8, 2010 4:27 pm 
New report shows Alzheimer’s an epidemic for women
October 18, 2010 4:59 pmWASHINGTON – Alzheimer’s disease affects twice as many women as it does men, according to a new report by the Alzheimer’s Association.
Legality of unpaid internships increasingly questioned
October 14, 2010 5:37 pmWASHINGTON - Internships have long been recognized as steppingstones to employment after college.
Supreme Court hears case about protests at military funerals
October 6, 2010 6:39 pm
Click on photo to enlarge or download: A Westboro Baptist Church member argues with passersby Wednesday as he demonstrates outside the Supreme Court building. He was carrying signs similar to those church members display at funerals for military personnel. SHFWire photo by Andrew PolkWASHINGTON - Pacing back and forth in a manner similar to the soldiers they protest, adults and children displayed their brightly colored signs with slogans such as "God Hates You."
New law may help create small business boom
October 4, 2010 3:54 pm
Click on photo to enlarge or download: President Barack Obama signs the Small Business Jobs Act into law Sept. 27 at the White House surrounded by lawmakers, governors, mayors and small business owners. SHFWire photo by Andrew PolkWASHINGTON - El Paso's small businesses hoping to find more available capital may just have found their answer.
