In a hectic media environment, I’ve consistently worked as a staff writer, editor and producer in print, TV and digital newsrooms.
Currently, I’m a senior reporter with Modern Retail where I cover all things e-commerce and retail.
That includes consumer affairs, fintech trends, sustainability initiatives and workers’ rights.
Here are some of my favorite stories from throughout the years at outlets like The Desert Sun, the Associated Press, and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Economic justice & housing
Surf club proposals
I broke the story of a luxury surf club planned for a rural area in the east Coachella Valley, where many residents have substandard housing and water. Read here
New opportunities
Black residents in the Inland Empire face high unemployment. I covered the development of a new center aiming to create new job opportunities. Read here
Emergency funding
Paycheck Protection Program loans went to well-connected and financially savvy business owners, and the program was criticized for not benefiting enough small business owners. Read here
Priced out families
The Coachella Valley is one of the few places in southern California considered affordable, but many are still priced out with sky-high home prices around half a million dollars. Read here
The onset of coronavirus
As soon as the coronavirus pandemic started, the desert’s hospitality industry took a major hit that will be felt for years to come. I crunched the numbers in March 2020 to see what it would mean for workers in our region. Read here
I also covered the historic crush of calls that hit the state’s unemployment department as millions of Californians lost their jobs. Read here
Cannabis
Essential or illegal?
During the pandemic, California dispensaries could be open but they couldn’t access the same business supports as other companies because of federal laws.
Read here
Social equity first
The cannabis industry remains overwhelmingly white, despite the harms communities of color from decades of criminalization of the plant. In California, social equity is nascent and necessary.
Read here
Palm Springs tourism
AsiaSF in Palm Springs
A transgender performance venue landed with a splash in Palm Springs, bringing its legendary Bay Area experience to the desert.
Read here
PS Vintage Market
One of my favorite places to shop local! I loved creating this multi-media package on unique vendors.
Read here
Aluminare House
My story on plans to relocate Albert Frey’s groundbreaking Aluminaire House, a design that inspires efficiency and affordability.
Read here
Associated Press
Political profiles
Music industry & technology
Columns & Essays
Pennsylvania politics
Melissa M. Daniels 