Learning From Trayvon
The Miami Herald
After Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in Sanford, Florida, Laura contributed to coverage in his home community. She covered student walk-outs in protest over his shooting and profiled this ethics class at his alma mater, Miami Gardens High, that examined his death.
Crumbling Schools
The Miami Herald
As part of the Herald’s education team, Laura investigated the dilapidated state of many classrooms in Miami-Dade and Broward county schools. They also produced a database where readers could look up the condition at their neighborhood school.
The Mayor And The Swindler
The Miami Herald
Laura was the beat reporter for Hialeah, the second largest city in Miami-Dade County, when she teamed up with the Herald’s federal courts reporter to investigate the Hialeah mayor. They got a tip that the mayor, Julio Robaina, had a shadow loan business and was connected to a convicted Ponzi schemer known as “Felipito.” The series eventually led to federal charges of tax evasion against the mayor and won first place in political reporting from the Green Eyeshade Awards.
Los Angeles eyes Owens Lake for huge solar project
Reuters
Laura covered the solar power industry and other clean technology while a stringer for Reuters’ bureau in Los Angeles. She also contributed to breaking news coverage, such as the death of Michael Jackson.
Hottest Ticket in America
The Dallas Morning News
Laura covered the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama from the National Mall when she interned with The Dallas Morning News at its bureau in Washignton, D.C. Laura focused on connecting political stories with readers back in Texas.