Massachusetts is on the verge of firing a partially COVID vaccinated state worker who sought medical waiver after suffering allergic reaction to first shot |
I am so grateful to be back in the Northeast covering the State House for MassLive. Shortly after I made the transition from city- to state-level politics, Gov. Charlie Baker's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Executive Department workers became my sub-beat, as I chronicled a litany of disciplinary hearings, suspensions and terminations for workers who did not comply with the strict measure. That flow of stories led me to the feature on the left, in which I was connected with Nicole Coughlin, a state social worker who tried to get vaccinated once she was eligible. But unable to get under second dose — per doctor's order, who warned of a severe allergic reaction that could be life-threatening — Coughlin found herself in an impossible standoff with the Baker administration. I built trust with Coughlin over a number of phone interviews, which culminated in her being willing to share her name and consenting to photographs, infusing the story with greater credibility and potential relatability.
Since joining MassLive in September 2021, I've immersed myself in the daily grind of covering Beacon Hill — which consists of a daily balancing act of monitoring the governor and Legislature — on top of elections and the COVID-19 pandemic. With a focus on topics pertinent to MassLive readership around Springfield and Worcester, I keep close tabs on East-West rail, sports betting and statewide races that feature elected leaders from Western and Central Massachusetts. But I've also carved out time to pursue in-depth stories tied to social justice, lifting up the voices of officials and community leaders shaping the fabric of larger storylines. |
In a historic race for Massachusetts governor, misogyny and racism swirl around Democratic hopefuls In a historic race for Massachusetts governor, misogyny and racism swirl around Democratic hopefuls
A moment of celebration on Twitter was interrupted by a hateful reply message to a Latina state senator, which I latched onto as I connected with her and fellow women of color who have silently borne the brunt of racism. I grappled with the possibility of amplifying the vitriol — but I knew I made the right choice to share this story as female leaders so candidly recounted their experiences to me. |
'We have to be proactive': Municipal leaders attending summit to combat rising antisemitism, commemorate Holocaust in Massachusetts
After Gov. Charlie Baker signed the genocide education bill into law in December and later endorsed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, I'd been searching for follow-up stories to chart the momentum of Massachusetts' push to overcome antisemitic attacks. When I learned about a summit designed to educate municipal leaders on the IHRA definition, I opted to expand what could have been a simple preview story into a more thorough piece on the Lappin Foundation and speakers at the summit, including a pair of inspirational high school students. |
COVID vaccine waivers were given to some Massachusetts prison guards, then they were told it was 'in error' Family members of prison guards on the verge of being fired over Gov. Charlie Baker's vaccine mandate contacted me based on my ongoing coverage and agreed to anonymously share their stories. These conversations morphed into regular check-ins and connections with prison guards directly, who detailed to me the bureaucratic confusion unfolding at the state Department of Correction. |