Arlington

I was selected in June 2020 to cover Arlington, Texas, for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram through Report for America, a nonprofit initiative to bolster local news across the United States. In December 2021, KERA News picked up my RFA contract and hired me permanently in June 2023. I covered Arlington through September 2024.

As the only full-time Arlington reporter in town for much of my time as a city hall reporter, I covered everything except high school football games over my four years on the beat. Near the end of my tenure, I helped form the Arlington Report, an initiative by KERA and the Fort Worth Report, to lay groundwork for more reporting on the 50th largest city in the United States. I’m proud to say that KERA, too, kept my position and has since increased its presence in Tarrant County.

As Heard On NPR

Newspaper cuts leave communities like Arlington, Texas, without vital local coverage | Aug. 30, 2023

A restaurant serving Russian food rebrands itself after Russia invades Ukraine | March 21, 2022

Politics

Arlington’s race for mayor was narrower than expected. UTA professor explains why it was so close | May 11, 2023

Arlington Mayor Jim Ross wins reelection; voters approve millions in bond funding for streets, parks | May 6, 2023

Candidates for Arlington mayor, city council were late on property taxes, county records show | April 28, 2023

Arlington incumbent wants to focus on equity. Her opponent says ‘it increases the amount of racism’ | April 24, 2023

Arlington city manager defends library director as debate over obscenity continues | April 13, 2023

Arlington library board chair claims she was removed to please anti-LGBTQ display policy ‘bullies’ | Jan. 25, 2023

Ten Arlington pastors told mayor, council LGBTQ books ‘influence children’ into ‘lifestyle’ | Nov. 23, 2022

Arlington mayor, council get one more year per term after landslide win in proposition vote | Nov. 9, 2022

Arlington Public Library advisory board compromises on LGBTQ Pride month displays | Oct. 28, 2022

Arlington library board may bar LGBTQ displays from youth sections as Pride Month debate continues | Oct. 7, 2022

Community Issues

Off-road bike trails in southwest Arlington remain unsanctioned after opposition from neighbors | Oct. 1, 2024

Arlington ‘fiber city’ plan no longer attainable, city says. How other companies may fill the void | March 20, 2024

Deaths on Arlington roads spiked in 2023. The city’s mix of plans aims to make roads safer | July 17, 2024

Arlington’s Handitran software change caused problems for riders. Here’s how the city made fixes | Jan. 2, 2024

‘It’s going to be a forever thing.’ North Arlington neighborhood battles yearly visits by feral hogs | Nov. 3, 2023

Unfinished houses, open roofs: RJ Construction customers take their claims to bankruptcy court | Sept. 12, 2022

‘It shouldn’t be a done deal.’ Arlington officials set to OK gas drilling without public hearing | July 9, 2022

Developer’s plans in downtown Arlington put low-income tenants on time crunch to move out | July 7, 2022

Arlington is considering filling in ‘missing middle housing.’ Experts explain what that means | April 12, 2022

‘100% preventable’: Arlington record logs draw ire in child’s brain-eating amoeba death | Oct. 1, 2021 | PDF

Arts/Culture/Obituaries

How a South Arlington coffee shop puts the city’s history, diversity on view for residents to learn | March 28, 2023

Arlington’s Rougned Odor ‘punch’ mural created a brawl over city policies. Here’s what might change | July 18, 2023

His passion is dancing. Now this local celebrity returns to jamming along a busy Arlington street | Feb. 3, 2023

A new arts organization in Arlington seeks to empower young vocalists through opera | Dec. 8, 2022

A new Arlington docuseries tells the story of historic Black neighborhood ‘The Hill’ | June 16, 2022

How do Arlington Foodies celebrate the city’s ‘little gems?’ It started with a Facebook group. | March 11, 2022

He was the city’s ‘game changer,’ Arlington leaders say of late figure Michael Jarrett | Dec. 4, 2021 | PDF

This spot was the center of life in early Arlington. How the city is bringing it back | Nov. 29, 2021 | PDF

Education

Lone Arlington ISD superintendent finalist’s withdrawal left leaders ‘blindsided’ | May 23, 2023

Arlington schools superintendent to retire in 2023 after 11 years. ‘Our district is in capable hands’ | Jan. 26, 2023

Sports

Texas Rangers to host 2024 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field | Nov. 17, 2022

‘Dallas is ready’: North Texas leaders, fans cheer selection as a 2026 FIFA World Cup host venue | June 16, 2022