About Aliana Mediratta
Aliana Mediratta

I'm a journalist covering politics and institutions to help readers understand and engage with the world around them. Currently, I cover City Hall in New Orleans for Verite News, an award-winning non-profit.

Previously, I managed a team of writers and editors at WashU's independent student-run newspaper, where I won multiple journalism awards and now act as a member of the board. I've also written for WashU's campus publication and the Palo Alto Weekly.

When I'm not in the field reporting, you can usually find me running, playing the guitar, or going to the movies.

  • 2025
    Gregory Freeman Award for Outstanding Career Achievement in Journalism
  • 2024
    Missouri College Media Association — First Place, In-Depth Reporting
  • 2023
    Missouri College Media Association — First Place, In-Depth & Investigative Reporting

My Articles

My work includes enterprise and breaking stories on government accountability, police surveillance, and labor disputes. I also write features that profile the people and places behind the news.

Featured

Best of
Verite News
Federal shutdown to pause SNAP benefits, causing concerns about food insecurity
Verite News
Is the NOPD breaking the law by using tips from Project NOLA? Depends who you ask.
Verite News
Tulane police officers quit their jobs. Now the school is suing them for tens of thousands of dollars.

Verite News

Newsroom Fellow · 2025 – present
Crescent City ID services temporarily halted after staff laid off
New Orleans aims to fix cash crunch with $125 million loan
Friedman vs McCarron: Two former Giarrusso staffers vie for his council seat
Councilmember Joe Giarrusso says goodbye to elected life after eight years in City Hall
Miscommunication from city officials about district boundaries causes confusion over fall election
'It's a lifeline to the city': Locals and commuters make use of later hours on Canal Street Ferry
What Was Lost: Neighborhood schools

Student Life Newspaper

Managing News Editor · 2022 – 2025
Professor no longer teaching organic chemistry amidst allegations of inappropriate touching
Over 100 arrests made during police crackdown on pro-Palestine encampment
Dreading the lasts: Fontbonne community reckons with closure
24 Hours in Bear's Den: The Challenge No One Asked For
Title IX limitations decrease autonomy for fraternities when penalizing members
Review of WU expungement policy reveals stricter standards on cheating than sexual assault

Other Publications

Editorial Intern · 2022, 2025
Palo Alto Weekly
East Palo Alto to tow RVs and expand housing options
The Source — WashU
Class Acts: Gaelen Clayton
The Source — WashU
From brain science to basketball: WashU students engage and educate St. Louis children

Essays

Personal writing
Essay
"I want to feel like I am being changed"
Finding meaning in art, my internal struggle against over-analysis, and media I love
Essay
On mental toughness
Memoir takeaways, the purpose of pain, and my newfound interest in running
Essay
A collection of creative nonfiction essays
Three essays about baby photos, rabbits, and a road trip

On Air

I regularly join an anchor at the Fox 8 studio to break down one of my stories for their morning audience. Here's a look at some recent segments.

Project NOLA tips to police officers raise questions
More appearances

Don't be
a stranger

A few things about me...