Published Clips

An environmental disaster leaves hanging threads

Six months after a sewage pipeline spilled 243 million gallons of its contents into the Potomac River, an area of the its shoreline still shows signs of contamination. Maryland public health authorities say they’re waiting for more data to determine if further cleanup is necessary. And some users of the river say that their trust in DC Water, the local water utility and the pipeline’s operator, has been shaken. Some are worried about a lack of emergency measures for future, similar spills.

In the Weeds

A volunteer-run boathouse defends the Anacostia River from invasive species and polluted stormwater.

Federal government has revoked some AU international student visas

In April 2025, my reporting broke that the federal government had revoked visas of international students at American University. University administrators had not announced this to the community and was not planning on doing so. The story was sourced in multiple nationwide trackers of visa revocations by Inside Higher Ed and the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Tracking American University’s response to Trump’s higher education policies

President Donald Trump’s higher education policies have shaken universities across the nation, with impacts ranging from reduced research funding to eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. I helped chronicle American University’s administrative response to the Trump administration’s moves. View the interactive data table here: https://awolau.org/7857/print/politics/tracking-american-universitys-response-to-trumps-higher-education-policies/

First-Year Advising’s Final Days

In September 2024, first-year advisors at American University were told their office would be shut down in a few months’ time, days before the busiest time in their semester. Now the advisors, already feeling undervalued by administrators, are taking a hard look at their futures at the school. Published April 2025 in AWOL Magazine’s 36th print edition.

Larger Than Ever, La Festa Italiana is Still a Close-Knit Affair

La Festa Italiana, the annual Italian culture festival hosted by Holy Rosary Church on Sixth Street, is throwing its largest party yet. Many of the event’s traditions are upheld by volunteers who have been returning for years or decades.

Pokémon Go Fest Introduces Massive Crowds to Liberty State Park

In June 2025, Pokemon Go Fest came to Jersey City, NJ, drawing over 50,000 people to Liberty State Park. In a major test of the park’s staff and facilities, participants praised its accessibility and views. Published June 11, 2025, by the Jersey City Times.

Looking for more?
My AWOL Magazine byline: https://awolau.org/staff_name/ben-ackman/
My Jersey City Times byline: https://jcitytimes.com/author/ben-ackman/
My Via Satellite byline: https://www.satellitetoday.com/author/ben-ackman/