Laura Palmisano
Laura joined KVNF in 2014. She was the news director for two years and now works as a freelance reporter covering Colorado's Western Slope. Before moving to Colorado, Laura worked as a reporter for Arizona Public Media, a public radio and television station in Tucson. She's also worked at public radio station KJZZ and public television station KAET Arizona PBS in Phoenix. Her work has aired on NPR, the BBC, Marketplace, Harvest Public Media, and on stations across the Rocky Mountain Community Radio network. Laura is an award-winning journalist with work recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, Colorado Broadcasters Association, and RTDNA. In 2015, she was a fellow for the Institute for Justice & Journalism. Her fellowship project, a three-part series on the Karen refugee community in Delta, Colorado, received a regional Edward R. Murrow Award. Laura also has experience as a radio host, producer, writer, production assistant, videographer, and video editor. She graduated summa cum laude from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University.
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Despite the separation of church and state, prayers are said on the floors of state legislatures across the United States. Many states also have Bible study classes at their state Houses, including Colorado.
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An interview with Lake City physician assistant Bob Downs about his recent trip to Ukraine on a medical mission.
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State Representative Barbara McLachlan is the chair of the House Education Committee. The Democratic from Durango, who represents House District 59, spoke to KVNF's Laura Palmisano about what she's working on this session.
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Ice climbing is technical, cold and can be dangerous. That doesn't hold disabled climbers back.
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The sport of ice climbing is growing in popularity with festivals and competitions happening in communities around the United States. But by its nature, the sport hasn't always been accessible to everyone. However, as Laura Palmisano with KVNF reports, that is changing. She takes us to the tiny mountain town of Lake City, Colorado to ice climb with a group of adaptive athletes.
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Marisela Ballesteros is the first Cora Indian and Indigenous person elected to the Gunnison City Council. She successfully ran unopposed for a seat on the Gunnison City Council last year and was sworn into office last month to serve a four-year term. She was also elected mayor pro tem by her fellow council members. She says it's estimated Cora Indians, an indigenous group from Mexico, make up at least one-fourth of Gunnison's Spanish speaking population. For KVNF, Laura Palmisano interviews Ballesteros about her decision to run for office and goals now that she's a city council member.
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The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has been in operation for a half century. For KVNF, Laura Palmisano reports on the center's history and brings us a detailed look at what it does.
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At last, the only town in the most remote county in the lower 48 states is getting high-speed fiber internet. Work is underway to connect the tiny town of Lake City in southwestern Colorado. For KVNF, Laura Palmisano reports on the local, regional, and state partnership that made it happen.
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In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we'll hear the final interview in our series with Western Slope Latinés. Today, we hear from Nelly Garcia Olmos. She's the executive director of La Plaza in Palisade, an organization that supports migrant and immigrant communities in Mesa County. Garcia Olmos speaks to KVNF's Laura Palmisano about being a first generation Latiné in the United States, challenges she faced when learning to navigate life in a new country, and her work with La Plaza.
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In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we continue our interview series with Western Slope Latinés. Today, we hear from Marisela Ballesteros Celestino. She is a first generation Latiné and Cora Indian. She's also the assistant director for Project Hope, Gunnison's resource center for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Ballesteros Celestino speaks to KVNF's Laura Palmisano about growing up in the Gunnison Valley, staying connected to her indigenous heritage, and her work as an advocate.