Jessica F. Simmons is a Reporter & Strategic Communications Producer for COURIER, covering community stories and public policies across the country. Featured in print, broadcast, and radio journalism, her work shows her passion for local storytelling and amplifying issues that matter to communities nationwide.
Jessica F. Simmons
Latest from Jessica F. Simmons
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City of New Bern settles $100K lawsuit over unlawful separation between autistic child and mother
A $100K settlement comes after a 2023 incident where New Bern police forcibly separated a 10-year-old nonverbal autistic child from his mother, leading to new policy safeguards.
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FBI expands investigation of post-election hate messages to include Latino and LGBTQ+ communities
Texts and emails across the nation are threatening deportation and re-education camps, targeting Latino, LGBTQ+ communities, and high school students.
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‘Four years gone’: Trump’s new term spurs North Carolina student walk out to demand climate action
As part of Sunrise Movement’s national walkout for climate action, students at Durham School of the Arts walked out on Friday, demanding climate action towards Durham Public Schools.
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In Durham, neighbors plan for an uncertain future together in a second Trump term
With concerns about potential political and living challenges, Durham community members gathered to create solutions and build a support network against a second Trump administration.
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After Trump’s re-election, racist texts target Black people in North Carolina and other states
After Election Day results came in, text messages referencing slavery and cotton-picking have targeted men, women, and students of color across the states, sparking outrage and federal investigations.
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A champion for public education: NC elects Mo Green as Superintendent of Public Instruction
Democrat Mo Green’s win against Michele Morrow in the 2024 general election for NC’s Superintendent of Public Instruction shows statewide support for his vision on public education.
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‘I am a medical debt voter’: How a national nonprofit campaign is empowering NC voters impacted by medical debt
After losing his wife to cancer, North Carolina’s Terry Belk has spent years battling medical debt. Now, Community Catalyst is helping people like him make their voices heard at the polls.
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Knocking for a cause: Progressive Turnout Project’s effort to flip NC blue
Door-to-door canvasser Christopher Dean, a former Republican, is on a mission with Progressive Turnout Project to turn NC pro-Democratic.
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Got medical debt in North Carolina? A new state program may help you.
North Carolinians have some of the most expensive medical debt in the US, and a new program from Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration aims to do something about it.
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Hurricane Helene sparks emergency temporary NC Medicaid adjustments
With a focus on western North Carolina, NCDHHS has introduced temporary measures to aid those impacted by Hurricane Helene.
