WORK
KXAN Catalyst Projects
KXAN's Catalyst unit produces digital-first multimedia, multiplatform investigations that aim to make a positive change on society. Each project involved intense collaboration and my role bridged the gap between technology and editorial to make them come to life. I provided digital expertise for eight projects, with deep involvement in planning, editing articles and digital promotion.
Mayberry Texas
Highlights missing persons cases in Texas through the lens of Jamie Mayberry, who hasn't been seen since 1999. The investigation revealed new insight into his case, and into a tool that could help find missing people, if only Texas law enforcement would use it. Features a video series, podcast and profiles of missing people throughout Texas.
View project ↗
A History of Mass Violence
Came in the wake of the El Paso and Midland-Odessa shootings. Takes a critical look at 32 mass shootings in Texas from 1980 to 2019 and analyzes solutions proposed by state leaders. A video series and podcast shares families' personal stories and visitors can experience an interactive timeline of violence in the state.
View project ↗
Locked in Limbo
Explores the years-long waitlist people accused of crimes and experiencing mental illness face in order to get treatment and move through the justice system. The video series and podcast explore efforts to address the problem while a "Get Help" page provides resources for those navigating mental health issues and the justice system.
View project ↗
Dead & Undone
Explores how hundreds of legally-required reports about deaths in custody have been filed late or incomplete in Texas, leaving the public and families without answers.
View project ↗
Medical Debt Lawsuits
A tip led us to discover a local hospital filed hundreds of lawsuits over medical debt, a legal practice that impacts patients beyond their healthcare woes. The digital documentary and podcast explore what can happen when people face medical debt, while testimonials share personal impacts and a resources page offers tips for dealing with medical debt.
View project ↗
OutLaw: A Half Century Criminalizing LGBTQ Texans
Courts have struck it down, but a law remains on the books prohibiting "homosexual conduct" in Texas, sparking fears that an overturned case could make it illegal again. A digital docuseries, podcast and a dozen supplemental articles explore an environment where an increasing number of bills affect LGBTQ+ Texans.
View project ↗
A Hanging on Backbone Creek
The mysterious death of a girl in 1965 still haunts the town of Marble Falls, many of whom believe there was more to the story than what her official death certificate concluded. A docuseries, podcast and supplemental articles explore how Texas is unique in how it handles many of its death investigations, and that parts of the state may be outgrowing the justice of the peace system.
View project ↗
Beneath the Surface: Lady Bird Lake Drownings
Persistent rumors claim a serial killer is responsible for deaths in Austin's downtown waterway, but a data analysis shows that while deaths there appear to be elevated compared to similar cities, a nefarious actor isn't the cause. The docuseries, podcast and supplementary articles explore the problem and possible solutions.
View project ↗KXAN Special Projects
I provided digital-first expertise to the planning and execution of a number of KXAN in-depth and investigative special projects. I coordinated between teams to bring the projects to life, and edited a majority of the articles.
Stop Mass Shootings
In the wake of the Uvalde elementary school shooting, the KXAN newsroom came together to explore solutions and provide a resource to Texans (including lawmakers) working to process how the state should move forward.
View project ↗
Family Beef
One town famous for barbecue. Two family rivalries. KXAN's first foray into a full-length documentary explores the long-standing beefs in Lockhart, Texas, as local joints gear up in an effort to reclaim their spots on a coveted top barbecue list.
View project ↗
TxTag Troubles
One of the most common tips KXAN investigators receive (by the hundreds) is about a Central Texas tollway. More than a dozen journalists filed reports exploring the issues and brought viewers' complaints directly to the Texas Department of Transportation.
View project ↗
The Wake: Secrets of Lake Travis
A KXAN docuseries and accompanying digital reports explore deaths on Lake Travis, including those who have never been found, and solutions to prevent them.
View project ↗
Pass or Fail
An investigative series examining challenges and accountability in public education across Texas.
View project ↗
Save Our Students
A multi-part investigation focused on student safety and the systems meant to protect them in Texas schools.
View project ↗
Austin Stitched Together: A Divisive Legacy Lingers as I-35 Expands
Interstate 35 cuts through Austin, but also historically cut off parts of the city. Now its expansion provides an opportunity to reunite those sections, even as it displaces nearby people. This project was part of KXAN's digital investigative fellowship, in which members of the newsroom spend 6 months training on investigative techniques and produce a special project.
View project ↗
Sold Out: SXSW Musician Pay Highlights Industry Struggle
SXSW is one of the largest festivals of its kind, but those who provide the music say there's a gap between their compensation and the economic benefits the event says it provides the Live Music Capital of the World. This project was part of KXAN's digital investigative fellowship, in which members of the newsroom spend 6 months training on investigative techniques and produce a special project.
View project ↗Breaking News & Continuing Coverage
When breaking news happens, I and my team aim to be accurate --and fast -- at providing updates to viewers. I excel at developing coverage beyond the initial event, crafting breakout stories on new angles and providing answers to viewer input in real time.
BorderReport.com
I was among a core team who developed and launched BorderReport.com, a collaborative effort of correspondents from Nexstar stations along the border to "provide real-time delivery of the untold local stories about people living, working and migrating along the U.S. border with Mexico."
KTUU
As a newscast producer I crafted 30- or 60-minute newscasts highlighting stories from across the state that mattered to Alaskans, and took it upon myself to write digital stories based on top newscast moments.
Channel 2 Newshour
Alaska Press Club "Best Newscast" 1st place winner and NATAS Northwest Emmy-nominated newscast featuring a developing story as police reveal a man who died in a shootout with officers used a gun linked to five homicides in Anchorage in 2016. Also features in-depth coverage of a missing teenager, protests to the Dakota Access Pipeline, weather coverage and sports.
Watch ↗
Writing Samples
As a news producer, wrote a variety of daily stories in addition to crafting broadcast content.
View ↗Where It All Began
Articles from the Rocky Mountain Collegian and personal projects that showcased my early journalism chops.
President Obama at CSU
Covers the campaigning president's speech to 13,000 at CSU to engage young voters and address issues of higher education.
Read ↗
Fort Collins Police Standoff
Covers a five-hour period in which a man shut himself inside his home 15 minutes from CSU and filled it with natural gas.
Read ↗
CSU Research in Science Magazine
Covers a CSU graduate student's collaborative effort to create a metalloenzyme that can transform other molecules in more selective ways at a faster rate than previously possible.
Read ↗
Rist Canyon Rebuilding
Covers a CSU professor's struggle to rebuild months after the High Park wildfire destroyed his home.
Read ↗
ASCSU Presidential Debate
Moderated and helped coordinate a live broadcast of the 2015 Associated Students of Colorado State University Presidential Debate.
Read ↗
DUI Arrests Near Campus
A data-journalism deep-dive into DUI arrests near campus, featuring an interactive map and narrative perspective of someone arrested.
Read ↗
Anchorage
A personal project showcasing Anchorage through a multitude of video storytelling styles.
Watch ↗
Letters from Editors
An honors thesis blog created during the 2014-2015 school year to chronicle Rocky Mountain Student Media's transition to a converged and digital-first newsroom.
Read ↗