 Lauren Smith is finishing her last semester of graduate school at Boston University’s Washington journalism program writing for the Bangor Daily News and interning at Scripps Howard News Service. Smith is pursuing her masters in print journalism. She graduated from Colby College in 2005 where she majored in English and sociology. Smith has interned for Boston.com, The Boston Globe’s website, as a travel content producer, as well as for the Boston Phoenix, where she compiled their Summer Preview section. She has written articles for the university’s magazine, The Muckraker, and a small mountain paper, The Vail Trail. Before pursuing journalism she had a brief stint in the publishing world.
Smith grew up just south of Boston in Cohasset, Mass., and attended Thayer Academy for high school. She hopes her experiences in Washington will help her pursue a career in international reporting.
Stories written:
Maine Wreaths Put at Headstones in Arlington Cemetery
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14--“Doesn’t it make you proud just to be from Maine,” Diane Peva asked a total stranger as she wiped away tears from under her glasses. Realizing they were both wearing sweatshirts embroidered with the state name, the two embraced.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 —The list of Command Sgt. Maj. John J. Leonard’s decorations and awards reads like a run-on sentence, scrolling 13 lines on a piece of paper and totaling 33 distinctions in all.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 —Gov. John Baldacci Thursday was named chairman of Jobs for America’s Graduates Inc., a school-to-career program for students facing barriers, of which Maine consistently ranks highly.
Maine Delegation Responds to Iraq Study Group Findings
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 —After the Iraq Study Group issued its report to the President and members of Congress, Maine’s delegation said maintaining the status quo in Iraq is unacceptable.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 —Despite the ouster of many moderate Republicans in the midterm elections, politicians and political experts still expect moderates to play a pivotal role in the upcoming Congress.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 —Maine’s program that provides health insurance coverage for children in low-income families may face a shortfall of as much as $6.5 million in 2007, according to a new study.
Women Senators in 110th Congress Meet for the First Time
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 – Women senators of the upcoming 110th Congress met for the first time Tuesday to discuss agendas and welcome new members.
Bill Would Extend Term of Special Inspector General
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 – The Senate Tuesday voted to extend by about a year the life of the agency that acts as a watchdog over the billions of dollars being spent on Iraq’s rebuilding.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 —A stained glass window in the Washington National Cathedral tells the story of a seasoned sea captain out on the water. A schooner sets sail in the background. On the opposite wall, the Maine state flag hangs amidst other state flags. On Sunday morning the Maine state flag was marched down the aisle as the Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Maine, the Rev. Chilton Knudsen, joined other clergy in celebrating Maine State Day at the Cathedral.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 —Tuesday’s elections produced historic gains for women in Congress, in both the House and the Senate.
Maine House Members Look Forward to Majority Power
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8--With their party taking control of the House Tuesday night, Reps. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) and Thomas Allen (D-Maine) look forward to their first 100 hours in the majority, beginning in January.
Maine Representatives Have Little Power, Ranking Says
WASHINGTON, Nov 1 – A ranking of the most powerful and effective members of Congress has placed Maine Democratic Reps. Michael Michaud and Thomas Allen in the bottom 10 percent of the House.
Facebook Engages Young Voters
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26--Justin Hunt likes to play rugby and go to toga parties. The 18-year-old Yarmouth resident listens to the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young and other bands famous before he was born. Like many college freshmen since 1951, one of his favorite books is “Catcher in the Rye.” Like most of his fellow college students, Hunt logs onto Facebook, a social networking Web site, each day. But instead of messaging friends, he’s scanning political candidates’ profiles.
New Border Crossing Rules Cause Confusion, Distress
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24--New identification rules for crossing the United States-Canada border are causing confusion and distress among local and state officials and business owners. At issue is a 2004 law that required the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop a plan for all travelers -- U.S. citizens and foreigners alike -- to present a passport, or other citizenship document, when entering the United States.
New Air Force Memorial Built by Pittsfield Company
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18-- Three stainless steel spires soar hundreds of feet into the air and arc slightly backwards, mimicking the “bomb burst” maneuver the Air Force Thunderbirds perform. Embedded in granite beneath the spires is the Air Force star.
Congressional Incumbents Have Money Advantage
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 – Two years ago, 98 percent of House incumbents seeking reelection and 96 percent of Senate incumbents seeking reelection won. Their victories were largely due to financial advantages that incumbents have, according to political finance experts.
Page Program Overshadowed by Scandal
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11-- The congressional page program has been thrust into the public view since Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) resigned after sexually explicit e-mail and online messaging conversations with an underage male former page were made public almost two weeks ago.
Excessive Western Canada Logging Puts Maine Jobs at Risk
WASHINGTON, Oct. 5-- Excessive amounts of Western Canadian timber pouring into the United States have put Maine lumber mills at risk of shutting down.
Women-Owned Small Businesses Struggle
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 —Women-owned businesses generate more than $3 trillion in sales in the United States and are growing at two times the rate of any other U.S. business group, panelists said at a recent hearing of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Funds to Help Returning Vets Go Unspent
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 – The Department of Veterans Affairs did not spend all of the money it has budgeted to help returning military personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a new government report.
Artificial Pancreas Would Improve Lives of People with Diabetes
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Aidan Sweeney swiveled in a large leather chair at a conference table in a Senate committee hearing room. A small tube used to monitor the four-year-old’s blood sugar and inject him with insulin crept out from a belt that sat above his basketball boxer shorts. He colored while his mother gave gut-wrenching testimony that left tears in many eyes and the room silent.
New Law Puts Americans in Watchdog Role
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 —Two centuries ago Thomas Jefferson wrote, “We might hope to see the finances of the Union as clear and intelligible as a merchant’s book, so that every member of Congress and every man of any kind--and any mind in the Union--should be able to comprehend them, to investigate abuses and to consequently control them.”
Mainers Rally in Washington in the Fight Against Cancer
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20—“If you were told when you leave here today you would get in a car accident and you may not survive, would you go? Would you get in that car?” Dan Bahr of Ellsworth asked.
Terrorists Recruit Inside U.S. Prisons
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. prison system has become a recruiting ground for Islamic extremists, a study by two academics released Tuesday shows.
Maine Senators Focus on Security
WASHINGTON -- In the week of 9/11’s five-year anniversary, both Maine senators focused their attention on security issues. Sen. Susan Collins’ cargo security legislation finally hit the Senate floor. She was also able to include provisions in the 2007 defense spending bill that favor Bath Iron Works and Maine defense. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, meanwhile, pressed the Senate to improve security of the passenger rail system.
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