About Aliana Mediratta
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.

  • 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 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.

Featured

Best of
Verite News
Federal shutdown to pause SNAP benefits, causing concerns about food insecurity
October 24, 2025
Verite News
Is the NOPD breaking the law by using tips from Project NOLA? Depends who you ask.
November 5, 2025
Verite News
Tulane police officers quit their jobs. Now the school is suing them for tens of thousands of dollars.
February 26, 2026

Verite News

Newsroom Fellow · 2025 – present
Crescent City ID services temporarily halted after staff laid off
January 16, 2026
New Orleans aims to fix cash crunch with $125 million loan
November 13, 2025
Friedman vs McCarron: Two former Giarrusso staffers vie for his council seat
October 30, 2025
Councilmember Joe Giarrusso says goodbye to elected life after eight years in City Hall
September 29, 2025
Miscommunication from city officials about district boundaries causes confusion over fall election
September 16, 2025
'It's a lifeline to the city': Locals and commuters make use of later hours on Canal Street Ferry
July 17, 2025
What Was Lost: Neighborhood schools
June 23, 2025

Student Life Newspaper

Managing News Editor · 2022 – 2025
Professor no longer teaching organic chemistry amidst allegations of inappropriate touching
November 20, 2024
Over 100 arrests made during police crackdown on pro-Palestine encampment
April 27, 2024
Dreading the lasts: Fontbonne community reckons with closure
April 7, 2024
24 Hours in Bear's Den: The Challenge No One Asked For
February 9, 2023
Title IX limitations decrease autonomy for fraternities when penalizing members
February 2, 2023
Review of WU expungement policy reveals stricter standards on cheating than sexual assault
September 8, 2022

Other Publications

Editorial Intern · 2022, 2025
Palo Alto Weekly
East Palo Alto to tow RVs and expand housing options
July 14, 2022
The Source — WashU
Class Acts: Gaelen Clayton
April 2025
The Source — WashU
From brain science to basketball: WashU students engage and educate St. Louis children
April 2025

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

Email LinkedIn

A few things about me...