Reviving the Cajun dialect: 'All French is good French'
National Geographic
I worked on this story for the better part of a year after tracking its origins as a junior staff writer about seven years prior. I loved revisiting the small town of Arnaudville, where locals are working to ensure they don't lose the vocabulary that makes their French unique.
 

The smarter way to visit Great Smoky Mountains, America's most popular national park
The Wall Street Journal
After 3 weeks hiking in the mountains, I pieced together my best recommendations for getting the most out of the most-visited national park. The piece led the Off Duty section, but I might be proudest that a photo of my Junior Ranger badge ran on A1.
 

'Time is not on our side,' New Orleans mayor warns
The New York Times
When Hurricane Ida assaulted Louisiana's coastline, I was part of the breaking news team to cover its initial impacts. This is one piece that resulted from that coverage.
 

New Orleans celebrates a muted Mardi Gras — but the rituals remain
National Geographic
A look at how a city of excess celebrated its most well-known holiday during the pandemic.
 

The women pushing Cajun cooking forward
Food & Wine
I noticed the beginning of a trend for this Louisiana culture, and the women who are making it happen filled in the details. 
 

As Trump twilights, Stormy Daniels is all of us
The Gambit
The end of the Trump presidency held particular meaning for one Louisiana woman: Stormy Daniels. I hopped on her tour bus and we chatted about the end of a truly weird era. 
 

The Saints have a new anthem. For Choppa, it's a whole new world
NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
A New Orleans bounce artist's decades-old track was unexpectedly revived by Saints players during the 2018 season. I tagged along with him on what would turn out to be the Saints’ final win of that season and ended up at Drew Brees’ surprise 40th birthday party. (Note: This story was reported and written within 24 hours.)​​