For These Young, Nontraditional College Students, Adulting Is A Requirement
NPR
Laura contributed to this special series about the changing face of college in the U.S. She profiled Diana Platas, a Dreamer in Houston who overcame financial challenges, social barriers and a natural disaster to become the first in her family to graduate from college.
This Teen Nearly Died In A School Shooting. Now She's Just Trying To Live
NPR
Sarah Grace Salazar was shot at point-blank range in a mass shooting at her Texas high school. Laura followed her for nearly a year and gave listeners an intimate view of her physical and emotional recovery. Still needing surgery to remove toxic lead pellets in her body, Sarah found comfort in the love and faith of her mom, four sisters and best friend.
Why Calling Slaves 'Workers' Is More Than An Editing Error
NPR
This digital piece is one of several in Laura’s portfolio that examine racist and controversial curriculum in Texas textbooks. She reported for national outlets how the state’s social studies standards were drafted to call Moses a “Founding Father” and downplay slavery’s role in the Civil War.
Learn How Texas Funds Public Schools In 7 Easy Steps
Houston Public Media
Laura collaborated with a creative artist and an expert in school finance to create this animated graphic to explain the complicated school finance system in Texas. The graphic was part of a multimedia series about inequities in Texas education funding, which was supported with a grant from the Education Writers Association.