The News21 dispatch
CMDI has sent many students to participate in News21 over the years. Read more of their stories, and what they learned from completing the fellowships, in the fall 2026 edition of CMDI Now.
Sarah Taylor, a journalism major, spent the summer before her senior year as a fellow with the prestigious investigative journalism Carnegie-Knight News21 fellowship. Her mission was to tell stories of the U.S. housing crisis; she traveled to California and Hawaii to uncover how communities have risen from the ashes of the Altadena and Maui fires. She shared her memories and some moments from behind the scenes with us.
Entries edited for length and clarity
May 30
I arrived in Phoenix last week. So far, the heat has been pretty manageable—but temperatures leap to 120 degrees in July, so I might retract that statement! This is my first time living outside of Colorado, but I feel like I have a support system of empathetic editors and fellow students alongside me.
Our theme this year is “Unsettled,” and we’ll be covering the housing crisis. I’ve noticed long-form storytelling was a main prerogative for previous cohorts, but that’s not necessarily the case this sumer. My reporting team is prioritizing two-minute social media explainer videos to engage readers and break down complex concepts.
June 3
The first two weeks in the newsroom have been very administrative—taking headshots and so much paperwork! News21 does more than just teach field reporting; they also teach us how to convince our editors why our reporting should take place in a specific location—as well as how to keep track of travel expenses, book hotels and rental cars. I had to race through all these logistics because I’m about to go on my first reporting trip to Los Angeles.
Sarah Taylor, a senior studying journalism at CMDI, traveled to California to speak with residents affected by the Altadena fires. Photo by Sarah Taylor.
Sarah Taylor, seated center in striped shirt, represented CMDI in the 2026 cohort of News21 fellows. Photo by Sarah Taylor.
June 10
After four days in Los Angeles, I’m back in Phoenix and working on a story that includes audio, while my colleague Lavanya Paliwal is reporting visually with photos and videos. Altadena has such a welcoming spirit, reminding me a lot of Boulder. It also has a rich history as one of the first places in the West where Black families could own land. Since many Black families have been in Altadena for generations, there’s a tug-of-war between selling and growing economically, or staying and preserving legacy.
My biggest takeaway from this trip: Showing up means everything. Many would ask us in surprise, “You came here from Phoenix? To tell our stories?” We took the time to meet with residents and gain their trust, so now I have two people to feature in my audio story.
June 30
Lavanya and I spent less than 72 hours in Maui—it was nowhere near a vacation, though it was the most beautiful place to be stressed out!
My main connection took us around the town to look at the rebuilding efforts. She connected me with two members of the Kupuna Council (elder council), and I was so relieved they were willing to talk to me with such short notice.
July 15
With all the reporting done, it’s time to rerecord my Altadena audio package and my Lahaina story. I’ve been working with my editor to create a multimedia website layout that switches between text and audio, and I’ve loved finding ways to integrate Lavanya’s photos and videos. We’re not set to publish our pieces until August, so I’ve got plenty of time to polish them and refine my vision!
August 13
My stories are live! It was so much effort, but I’m so proud of the work I did and how my stories of the communities in California and Hawaii turned out. It was such an incredible experience and I feel even more prepared as I go into my senior year at Boulder. Hard to believe I’m graduating in May, but I’m so excited for what’s next.
Taylor, far right, says one of the best parts about participating in News21 was developing a community with journalism students from across the country. Photo by Sarah Taylor.
Sarah Taylor, a senior studying journalism at CMDI, interviewing Lahaina locals about wildfire recovery. Photo by Sarah Taylor.