Drones are associated with targeted killings overseas, but in two years, thousands of small drones could be flying above the U.S. under a 2012 federal law. Already some law enforcement agencies and researchers have special permits to use the unmanned aerial systems for everything from spotting suspects and fighting fires to experimenting with their uses for journalists. And commercial interests are looking at ways to use drones for everything from factory surveillance to burrito deliveries.
But the widespread use of drones in domestic airspace raises both safety and privacy concerns among some lawmakers and advocacy groups.
A team of student reporters from the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications investigated the possible effects of the law and produced a series of eye-opening stories. Several of the stories also will be published by McClatchy newspapers.
Members of the team are Mitchell Armentrout, Ashley Balcerzak, Kris Anne Bonifacio, Audrey Chang, Cathaleen, Chen, Marshall Cohen, Summer Delaney, Taylor Hiegel, Alyssa Howard, Rachel Janik, Thomas Meyer, Kimberley Railey, Catherine Reid, Gideon Resnick and Joshua Solomon and Stephanie Anna Yang.
