Becca Schimmel
Criminal Justice Reporter for the Gulf States Newsroom
Becca Schimmel is the criminal justice reporter for the Gulf States Newsroom, a collaboration between NPR, WWNO in New Orleans, WBHM in Birmingham, Alabama and MPB-Mississippi Public Broadcasting in Jackson.
She is based out of MPB and will cover prison reform and the drivers of incarceration across the three states.
Prior to joining MPB, Becca was an economics and infrastructure reporter at WKU Public Radio as part of a regional journalism collaborative. She also spent time working as a producer for Lake Effect, a public affairs show on WUWM.
Becca was born in South Carolina but grew up in Kentucky and earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism at Murray State University. She loves to try new coffee shops and enjoys reading a little bit of everything.
To Curb Gun Violence In Gulf States, Activists Are Taking A Closer Look At Policing Alternatives
Over Memorial Day weekend, at least 26 shootings were reported in major cities across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. At least 10 people were killed and 17 others were injured. It was the latest example of rising homicides and gun violence across the Gulf states this year.
As Chronic Prison Understaffing Plagues Region, Mississippi Tries A New Approach
The Department of Corrections is aiming to fill 700 correctional officer positions by the summer. They’re looking for recruits in Walmart parking lots.
As Alabama Seeks To Build New Prisons, Mississippi Sets Sights On Reform
Alabama's governor recently signed leases on two new private prisons with a goal of improving conditions for inmates. But reform advocates in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana are urging a different approach.
