Jenna Russell
Jenna Russell is the New England bureau chief for The New York Times, based in the Boston area. She covers news in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and explores how broader national trends play out in her region. Her favorite stories delve deeply into the lives of regular people facing extraordinary circumstances and derive their power from vivid descriptions of their thoughts and actions. She loves it when readers tell her she has made them think about a familiar topic in a different way. She is paying close attention now to a few ongoing stories in New England that are also important trends across the country, such as the crisis in housing costs and supply, and the struggle to manage a surge of migrants from around the world. She is also keenly interested in the fate of remote, rural places at risk of disappearing as they continue losing jobs and population. Russell grew up in a coastal town north of Boston and has lived in New England for most of her life. She worked for more than 20 years as a reporter for The Boston Globe, where she tackled projects about immigration, education, urban neighborhoods and mental health care. She has specialized in both narrative storytelling and investigative projects, and she co-authored two books for the Globe: one about Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the other about the Boston Marathon bombing. Russell adheres to The Times' high ethical standards to ensure fairness and accuracy, and she embraces those standards as the foundation of her work. She protects her sources, does not accept gifts, money or favors from anyone who might figure into her reporting, does not participate in politics or make political donations, and strives to understand the issues she writes about from a wide range of perspectives. She aims every day to build trust through transparency.
86%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
86%
Examples:
- The author has a tendency to present both sides of an argument, but leans towards presenting information in a way that may be unfavorable to certain individuals or entities.
- The author often includes context and provides detailed descriptions of events and situations.
Conflicts of Interest
88%
Examples:
- In some cases, the author highlights potential conflicts of interest involving individuals or entities involved in the stories they report on.
- The author also reports on instances where there may be a conflict of interest in the form of political affiliations or financial ties.
Contradictions
85%
Examples:
- In several articles, the author reports contradictory information regarding the number of people killed in specific incidents and the details surrounding those incidents.
- The author also reports on instances where law enforcement had opportunities to intervene in tragic events but did not do so.
Deceptions
85%
Examples:
- In one instance, the author was found to have provided inaccurate information regarding a court ruling.
- The author occasionally uses sensational language and presents information in a way that may mislead readers.
Recent Articles
Vermont Hit Hard by Hurricane Beryl: One Death Confirmed, Dozens Rescued, Extensive Damage Reported in Central Vermont
Broke On: Thursday, 11 July 2024Vermont faces another disaster as Hurricane Beryl causes flooding, resulting in at least one confirmed death and significant damage in Central Vermont. Dozens of roads are closed, including Interstate 89 Exit 11 off-ramp and Route 2 in multiple towns. Evacuations have been reported, and shelters are open for displaced residents. Governor Phil Scott declares a state of emergency. 
Mistrial Declared in High-Profile Boston Murder Trial: Jury Deadlocks on Guilt of Karen Read
Broke On: Monday, 01 July 2024A mistrial was declared in the Karen Read murder trial after jurors deadlocked for over 26 hours, leaving the fate of Boston police officer John O'Keefe's alleged killer uncertain. The high-profile case, which involved accusations of a night of drinking leading to O'Keefe's death during a blizzard in 2022, saw prosecutors present evidence including testimonies from first responders and vehicle data. Despite the defense team raising concerns about conflicts of interest and witness intimidation, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. Prosecutors announced their intention to retry Read. 
Family of Lewiston Shooter Expresses Guilt Over Role in Obtaining His Guns, Commission Criticizes Law Enforcement Response
Broke On: Wednesday, 15 May 2024In October 2024, Robert Card, who had a history of mental health issues and a traumatic brain injury, carried out a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine that claimed 18 lives. Despite warnings from his family about his access to guns and threats to shoot up his Army unit in Saco, Maine authorities failed to take action under Maine's Yellow Flag law. Card's family testified before an independent commission about their feelings of guilt and anguish over their role in trying to help him. Researchers at Boston University reported evidence of significant traumatic brain injury at the time of the shootings, likely contributing to his behavioral changes. 
New Witness Testimonies in Karen Read Trial Shed Light on Boston Police Officer's Death
Broke On: Saturday, 29 January 2022A friend of a suspect's brother testified about seeing a suspicious black SUV near the scene where Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe was found dead in January 2022. Witnesses also reported seeing something unusual at the crime scene. The defense claims O'Keefe was killed inside a Canton house, but six witnesses deny ever seeing him or his girlfriend there. Supporters suspect a cover-up and conspiracy theory surrounds the rare woman accused of murder case in Boston. 
18 Killed in Mass Shooting at Lewiston, Maine: Independent Commission Releases Interim Report
Broke On: Friday, 15 March 2024On October 25, 2023, a mass shooting occurred in Lewiston, Maine. The shooter was identified as Robert Card II and he killed 18 people before taking his own life. An independent commission has released an interim report that sheds light on the events leading up to the shooting. 
Maine Court Halts Trump's Removal from Ballot, Pending Supreme Court Ruling in Similar Case Out of Colorado.
Broke On: Thursday, 18 January 2024The Maine Superior Court issued a stay on Secretary of State Shenna Bellows' decision to remove former President Donald Trump from the state's Republican primary ballot. The court remanded the matter back to Bellows for further proceedings after the U.S. Supreme Court issues its ruling in Trump v. Anderson, a similar case out of Colorado. 
Bloomberg Invests $250 Million to Train Next Generation of Healthcare Workers in High Schools Across the Country
Broke On: Wednesday, 17 January 2024Billionaire Mike Bloomberg is investing $250 million to open 10 high schools across the country, including one in Dallas, focused on the healthcare industry. Through dedicated high schools and new pathways, students will get training, credentials and experience in areas such as surgical technologists, radiology technicians and respiratory therapists. Officials aim to get students working with partner healthcare providers straight after graduating.