Rachell Sanchez-Smith is an associate producer on WBUR's Morning Edition team.
She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism from the University of Arkansas. Previously, Rachell spent three years as a producer and reporter for NPR affiliate KUAF 91.3, where she focused on health, politics and labor.
Most recently, she joined the 2024’ Dow Jones News Fund intern class focusing on data journalism with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
She worked on the “Essential and Exposed” series with the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, investigating which workers were most vulnerable in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and how regulators were often overwhelmed, resulting in a published piece with The Associated Press.
Born in Peru but raised in Arkansas, Rachell is most passionate about multilingual reporting and improving representation in newsrooms, founding the only active NAHJ chapter in the state.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking various international dishes, learning languages to “chismear” in or simply cuddling with her rescue cat, Beef.
Recently published
Cambridge efforts to reduce vacant storefronts showing signs of progress
Cambridge officials say a program launched to reduce retail storefront vacancies have led to some progress for the city and property owners. These efforts include creating a publicly accessible database...
Why children often face deportation hearings alone
Hundreds of thousands of immigrant children across the country have been showing up to deportation hearings alone.
Children often face deportation hearings alone — with little public scrutiny
As the Trump administration carries out its aggressive deportation agenda, children here and across the country are subject to court proceedings similar to those adults face. The core of these...
8 people released from hospital after carbon monoxide exposure on Provincetown fishing boat
Both people were transported to Cape Cod Hospital. The first responders and harbormaster also were evaluated for carbon monoxide exposure and released.
Mass. leaders remember Jesse Jackson
Political leaders across the state are mourning the death of Rev. Jesse Jackson. He died at home at the age of 84.
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Mass. reverses decision to send 8-year-old American in DCF custody to Guatemala
A state juvenile court halted a DCF plan to send U.S.-born child to Guatemala. Emergency court filings also raised new concerns about the father’s alleged criminal history.
Attorneys for foster parents of 8-year-old citizen sue to stop Mass. from sending her to Guatemala
The foster parents of an 8-year-old girl are suing the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families to prevent the state from sending her to Guatemala to be with her biological...
ICE agents are staking out local courthouses. As they've roamed the halls, Mass. court arrests tripled
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said ICE activity has impacted hundreds of cases prosecuted by his office — noting instances in which defendants got detained during proceedings, as well...
Dedham church keeps anti-ICE nativity scene despite pushback
St. Susanna’s ICE-focused nativity has drawn backlash from Catholic leaders and community members. Parish leaders say the display reflects the harsh realities of current immigration policies.
More than half of the Allston Car Wash workers arrested by ICE freed by immigration judge
Six of the nine Allston Car Wash workers recently detained by ICE have been granted bail, as a Chelmsford immigration judge ordered three more workers to be freed on Thursday.