Writing

Polar bears are “plastic,” meaning they’re designed to be responsive to shifting living conditions. But as sea ice continues to melt, the clock is ticking on how long they can survive.

Loons are having fewer and smaller chicks, which are less likely to survive. More surprisingly, young, non-breeding adults are also in decline — but no one knows why. Volunteers from Canada and the United States are on a quest for answers. 

From about 2006 to 2013, the moose population in northeastern Minnesota dropped dramatically, from almost 9,000 animals to about 2,700. Researchers started collaring moose, tracking them to find their killers. And they discovered that among all predators, one loomed largest.

The former coal mining town and current Arctic research hub has developed a reputation for superb wines and Nordic fine dining.

You’ve heard of the wrongfully convicted being exonerated of their crimes, but what does it take to get there? Record of Wrong delves deep into the world of the criminal justice system, from the perspective of the people appealing their convictions.

I was KARE 11's lead digital reporter for the Derek Chauvin trial. I watched all of the court proceedings and wrote live blogs, deep dives and a summary newsletter each day. It was fascinating and sobering to cover this trial, from jury selection to key testimony to the day Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd.

During the pandemic I felt we could all use a bit of hope in the face of hardship. I created a digital series for KARE 11 called "Hard Times," asking people for the stories of the hardest times in their lives, and the resilience they found in the middle of it. The stories I told included a family that lost a daughter to drowning but now finds hope through planting seeds, a woman whose child has been through seven brain surgeries, and a former colleague who is dancing her way through breast cancer treatment.

When the pandemic hit, it felt like all we did as journalists was write about the coronavirus. I reported on updates from the Minnesota Department of Health every day throughout 2020 as the virus peaked, receded, and peaked again. I also did in-depth reporting on issues like shortages of personal protective equipment, the complicated modeling used to project death rates and the impact of mitigation measures, trends in cases among different age groups, all the possible scenarios for a statewide lockdown, and what health officials would do differently if they could start over.