Simón Rios is an award-winning reporter, covering immigration, politics and local enterprise stories for WBUR.

He joined the station in 2015 after two years at The Standard-Times in New Bedford. His first assignment at WBUR was to cover “Snowmaggedon,” the blizzards that led to the snowiest winter in Boston’s history. More recently he has covered the impact of immigration enforcement on local communities.

Over a decade at WBUR, Simón’s coverage areas have ranged from housing to politics. His radio and print stories have garnered multiple awards, including for a three part series in 2024, tracing a Haitian family’s journey to Massachusetts and through the state shelter system.

Originally from Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, Simón graduated from Emerson College in 2005. Before journalism, his job titles included barroom musician, carpenter’s helper and cab driver.

Simón is fluent in Spanish. He also speaks basic Portuguese — or “Portuñol” to be more precise. He makes furniture and music in his free time.