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Jessica Leving

Jessica Leving is a senior at Boston University’s School of Communication majoring in print journalism, with a minor concentration in anthropology. This semester, she is interning at USA Today in McLean, Va., and serving as the Washington, D.C., correspondent for The Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Previously, Jessica has worked as an intern at The Jerusalem Post and The Chicago Tribune, as well as Bostonia Magazine, BU’s alumni quarterly, and The Common Review, the magazine of The Great Books Foundation. Originally from Chicago, she has also lived and worked in Boston, Jerusalem, and Auckland. She looks forward to putting down some roots after graduation with a full-time job at a newspaper or magazine.

STORIES WRITTEN:

Q&A with Anthony Fauci: 'The perfect storm' 

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 — Anthony S. Fauci‘s office at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is so decorated with awards, press clippings and diplomas—including his 1962 diploma from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester—that there is hardly any wall space left unexposed.

WPI students gain hands-on experience in Washington program

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 —Among students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the school’s Washington, D.C., program is hardly anyone’s first choice for study abroad. “It’s just not overseas,” agreed Evan Duderewicz, a junior from Stratford, N.H. But once the students arrive in the nation’s capital, students admit, they get to do some pretty cool things.

Worcester Jewish delegates applaud Emanuel speech in D.C.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 —One day after President Barack Obama’s private Washington meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Worcester delegates at a conference of the Jewish Federations of North America applauded a speech by White House Chief  of Staff Rahm Emanuel that stressed the United States’ continued support for Israel as a “beacon of democracy” in the Middle East.

Tea Party protesters return to Capitol to protest health-care bill

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 —The Tea Party isn’t over.

Several thousand protestors marched on the Capitol Thursday in opposition to the Democratic health-care bill that the House of Representatives hopes to vote on by the end of the week. Less than two months ago tens of thousands of so-called Tea Party protesters marched on the capital to oppose “out-of-control” government spending and the Democratic health reform plan.

Kirk’s financial report shows assets worth as much as $5.9 million

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 —Sen. Paul G. Kirk Jr., D-Mass., is a rich man.  

According to his financial disclosure report, filed Oct. 23 with the Senate Office of Public Records, Mr. Kirk has publicly traded assets worth between $2.74 million and $5.98 million—and that’s not even including his house, car or annual income: From Jan. 1, 2008, to Oct. 22, 2009, Mr. Kirk reported earned income totaling $349,187.50.

Neal leads area congressmen in 2010 campaign donations

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 —U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, has accumulated the fourth-largest campaign war chest among House incumbents so far in the 2010 election cycle, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan organization that analyzes the campaign finance reports filed by candidates with the Federal Election Commission.

Massachusetts to receive $131.5 million in home heating aid

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 —Massachusetts will receive $131.5 million in home heating aid for low income families this winter, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday—down significantly from the $213.5 million the state received last year. The money will come from $2.7 billion in federal funds that will be granted to states, tribes, and territories under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Franklin native helps build solar house on the National Mall

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 —It looks like any other contemporary house. With stained cedar paneling and sleek floor-to-ceiling windows, it would fit in seamlessly on any posh urban avenue. Inside, its stainless steel appliances and hip furniture offer an inviting and cozy atmosphere. There’s even a bowl of fresh green apples on the counter.

Rep. McGovern sends USDA request for $30 million to fight beetles

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 —U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, sent a letter to U.S.  Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack on Thursday requesting an additional $30 million in emergency funding to help eradicate the Asian longhorned beetle from central Massachusetts, according to a spokesman in Mr. McGovern’s office.

Massachusetts is seventh best in state health care

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 —Massachusetts placed seventh in a national state-by-state ranking of health care quality by the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System.

Bolton woman honored for adoption and foster-care advocacy

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 —The usually quiet, austere halls of the Russell Senate Office Building were filled with toothy smiles, bright pastel dresses and miniature suit-jackets as children and their families from across the country flocked to Washington for the annual Angels in Adoption award ceremony Wednesday afternoon.

Paul Kirk sworn in as interim junior senator 

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 —Paul G. Kirk Jr. was sworn in as interim Massachusetts senator Friday afternoon, just hours after a state judge blocked a Republican bid to stall the proceedings, and exactly one month after the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

Mass. gets $10 million to fight beetles, more to be requested

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 —Massachusetts will receive $10 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to combat the tree-destroying Asian longhorned beetle in the next 12 months, and Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, said he plans to ask for approximately $30 million more in emergency funds.

House of Representatives passes bill to reform student loans

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 —A bill that would overhaul the student loan market and effectively put the federal government in charge of student lending passed in the House of Representatives on Thursday.

Worcester-area protesters join taxpayers march on Washington

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 —Pat Leroux, 67, of Barre, Mass., left home at 4:30 a.m. Friday to catch the bus to Washington from Worcester for Saturday’s taxpayers march on the Capitol. Bright-eyed and chipper as she rode the subway to the march the next morning, Leroux said the journey was worth it.

Local representatives applaud Obama health-care speech

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 — Local health care administrators said they liked President Obama’s address on health care reform to a joint session of Congress Wednesday night but wanted to hear more details.