Translate page with Google

Pulitzer Center Update February 2, 2009

Project:Report finalist, for The Washington Times



Pulitzer Center Staff

Torrey Meeks, a finalist in YouTube's and the Pulitzer Center's first-ever reporting contest, was published by the Washington Times today. Meeks, who lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was hired as a stringer after meeting with David Jones, managing editor of the Times, during a dinner hosted by the Pulitzer Center last month.

Jones especially admired Meeks' second round submission that studied the escalating drug violence in the border town of Juarez, Mexico.

His article "El Paso 'dialogue' on drugs leaves some speechless," takes a look at a resolution passed by the El Paso City Council asking the federal government to open an "honest national dialogue on ending the prohibition of narcotics."

Meeks also produced 2 short video reports to support his article.

"El Paso 'dialogue' on drugs leaves some speechless,"

The Washington Times

EL PASO, Texas | "Are you on drugs?"

That was the question raised at a meeting of the El Paso City Council by resident Armando Cordoza after the council voted 8-0 earlier this month on a resolution asking the federal government to begin an "open, honest national dialogue on ending the prohibition of narcotics."

The contentious measure - drafted by the city's Committee on Border Relations, comprising local businessmen, academics and lawyers - was meant to respond to escalating drug violence in El Paso's Mexican border city, Ciudad Juarez.