Caitie Burkes

Baton Rouge, LA

"Journalism is literature in a hurry." - Matthew Arnold

Caitie Burkes

Baton Rouge, LA

"Journalism is literature in a hurry." - Matthew Arnold

Legislature shows its lighter side
BATON ROUGE – The hour-long Senate session one morning walked and talked more like a school awards ceremony than a body that owns the sole franchise for enacting, amending and killing laws for the residents Louisiana. Louisiana isn’t burning and its Legislature isn’t actually fiddling, but it might seem that way at times to casual visitors to the Capitol.
The Courier
Painted rocks bring kind messages to Delawareans
Carmen Dougherty's 10-year-old son, Anthony, clutching a painted heart-shaped rock he found, ran up to his mother at a Disney World resort last March. A tag on the back of the rock identified its decorators as "The Northeast Ohio Rocks!" – a group spreading positive thoughts by planting painted rocks in different pockets of the country.
USA Today
Delaware bail reform likely to happen ... one day
Just about everyone agrees bail reform is going to happen in Delaware. It almost passed the General Assembly this session but was squeezed out when budget talks dominated the closing weeks and days. In the meantime, defendants charged with felonies and misdemeanors have two choices: Pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to get bailed out or sit in prison until trial.
The News Journal
Cuts a knockout blow to Delaware tourism bureaus
After approving its budget and marketing plan last month, the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau planned to sign a deal for a 30-second television commercial advertising New Castle County across state borders. But that was before the Joint Finance Committee revealed its proposed $2.7 million cut to the state's three county tourism bureaus.
The News Journal
Roadwork, drainage, playgrounds: See latest changes to Louisiana construction budget
BATON ROUGE - With efficient swiftness, the Louisiana House Ways and Means Committee has amended the capital outlay plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1. It's contained in House Bill 2, arguably the current legislative session's second most important bill, after the operating budget in House Bill 1, because it authorizes spending on brick and mortar projects throughout the state.
The Times-Picayune
BESE accepts updated content standards on evolution, climate change
With language reminiscent of the evolution-versus-creationism arguments from Inherit the Wind, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) Tuesday accepted updated content standards for science education in Louisiana’s public schools. This time around, the controversy over climate change was thrown in.
Gambit Weekly
Student crafts alligator-headed dolls, sells them online
From the shelves of antique shops and Goodwill stores, Emeral DeLorenzo-Brown adds to her inventory of fancily-dressed porcelain dolls. About an hour or two after accessorizing each doll, she severs its head, chiseling the pieces away with a hammer. She positions a flathead screwdriver between the porcelain neck and head, only to hot glue small alligator heads, collected from various gas stations, to the rest of the doll’s body.
Curbside Burgers to begin construction in Mid-City
About six years ago, Nick Hufft operated a cramped food trailer outside of Bogie’s in Tigerland. Now, the executive chef of Barcadia has bigger plans for the burgers he sold to his Thursday night bar patrons — enclosing his business in brick and mortar. Hufft’s business, Curbside Burgers, is set to begin construction in Mid City, next to Calandro’s Supermarket.
Students, officials predict direction of millennial vote in gubernatorial election
Students flipping through their fall planners and calendars are circling Oct. 24 in red ink to mark the Western Kentucky University football game. But few know that date also marks a turning point in Louisiana’s political future. Sometime between tailgating and 6 p.m. kickoff, concerned state residents hope to see a substantial voter turnout for the gubernatorial election the same day.
The Daily Reveille, Louisiana State University
LSU staffs coordinate for expedited home game against South Carolina
The LSU and University of South Carolina athletic departments announced Wednesday morning that Saturday’s game will move to Baton Rouge’s Tiger Stadium, marking the first time in LSU history an away football game moves back home. LSUPD, Facility Services and the LSU Office of Parking and Transportation are co-coordinating and bracing themselves for an impromptu gameday weekend.
Former Plaquemines Parish president seeks lieutenant governor’s office
In 1991, a 32-year-old offshore caterer from Algiers, Louisiana turned a practical idea into a multimillion-dollar business. Now, at 56, former Plaquemines Parish President, Republican Billy Nungesser, hopes to see another dream come true on Oct. 24. Nungesser will run for the Lieutenant Governor position — set to be vacated by incumbent Lt.
The Daily Reveille, Louisiana State University
Student skeet shoots, hopes to make Olympic team
Political science junior Caitlin Connor stuffs her 12-gauge Krieghoff shotgun in her camper-style backpack each afternoon before practice. As it goes in, the gold and silver medals in her bag clinks like windchimes. It’s the same black North Face backpack she lugs around the world for competitions, from Egypt to Italy and Australia to Azerbaijan.
The Daily Reveille, Louisiana State University

About

Caitie Burkes

InCopy

InDesign

PhotoShop

press releases

news writing

writing

AP style

I've worked in LSU Student Media for five semesters -- three as a news reporter for The Daily Reveille, our campus newspaper, one as The Reveille's Entertainment Editor and one as Social Media Director for all of student media.

I'm also a statehouse reporter for Manship News Service. I cover the goings-on of the Louisiana Legislature, from higher education cuts to state bond elections.

As a political communications major, I've also dabbled in a campaign, a gig on Capitol Hill and public affairs research.