Aliana
Mediratta

I'm a journalist who loves finding stories that help people connect and engage with the world around them. Currently, I cover City Hall in New Orleans for Verite News, an award-winning nonprofit.

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 reporting, you can usually find me on a run, playing the guitar, or finding a new book at the library.

2025Gregory Freeman Award for Outstanding Career Achievement in Journalism
2024Missouri College Media Association — First Place, In-Depth Reporting
2023Missouri College Media Association — First Place, Investigative Reporting
Aliana Mediratta
Don't
be a
stranger

My current work primarily focuses on enterprise and breaking stories on government accountability. I'm always looking for a human-focused angle to policy and structural stories, whether it's a labor dispute, a major protest, or a tax policy.

Verite News
Barataria Preserve was badly damaged by Hurricane Ida. Five years later, repairs have just begun.May 2026 Federal shutdown to pause SNAP benefits, causing concerns about food insecurityOct 2025 Crescent City ID services temporarily halted after staff laid offJan 2026 New Orleans aims to fix cash crunch with $125 million loanNov 2025 Is the NOPD breaking the law by using tips from Project NOLA? Depends who you ask.Nov 2025 Friedman vs McCarron: Two former Giarrusso staffers vie for his council seatOct 2025 Federal shutdown to pause SNAP benefits, causing concerns about food insecurityOct 2025 Councilmember Joe Giarrusso says goodbye to elected life after eight years in City HallSep 2025 Miscommunication from city officials about district boundaries causes confusion over fall electionSep 2025 'It's a lifeline to the city': Locals and commuters make use of later hours on Canal Street FerryJul 2025 What Was Lost: Neighborhood schoolsJun 2025
Student Life
Professor no longer teaching organic chemistry amidst allegations of inappropriate touchingNov 2024 Over 100 arrests made during police crackdown on pro-Palestine encampmentApr 2024 Dreading the lasts: Fontbonne community reckons with closureApr 2024 24 Hours in Bear's Den: The Challenge No One Asked ForFeb 2023 Title IX limitations decrease autonomy for fraternities when penalizing membersFeb 2023 Review of WU expungement policy reveals stricter standards on cheating than sexual assaultSep 2022
Other Publications
East Palo Alto to tow RVs and expand housing optionsPalo Alto Weekly · Jul 2022 Class Acts: Gaelen ClaytonThe Source · Apr 2025 From brain science to basketball: WashU students engage and educate St. Louis childrenThe Source · Apr 2025
Essays
"I want to feel like I am being changed"Finding meaning in art, my internal struggle against over-analysis, and media I love On mental toughnessMemoir takeaways, the purpose of pain, and my newfound interest in running A collection of creative nonfiction essaysThree essays about baby photos, rabbits, and a road trip

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.