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Halle Parker covers environmental health and inequities in health care for Verite News. Before Verite, she reported on Louisiana's environment for New Orleans Public Radio as well as for the Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate and the Houma Courier. She covered everything from adaptation to climate change and the state's land loss crisis to the health concerns of communities living on the fenceline of industrial plants and the global buildout of natural gas infrastructure. At New Orleans Public Radio, she also co-hosted and co-produced the award-winning podcast Sea Change. Her reporting and photography has been recognized at the state, regional, national and international levels, including by the Society for Environmental Journalists, Covering Climate Now, RIAS Awards, regional Edward R. Murrows and various press associations. Her work has been heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Here & Now and Up First.
Parker’s Fellowship project will explore lead exposure and contamination that remains pervasive across New Orleans for both children and adults. She plans to work with a researcher to test soil, and possibly water, to help tell the underreported story of lead in the community and review progress toward lowering lead poisoning.