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Laurie Johnson-Ramirez

News Director

Laurie Johnson-Ramirez leads news coverage for Houston Public Media across broadcast and digital platforms. Ramirez is a native Houstonian who started her career at Houston Public Media in 2002. Before becoming News Director, Ramirez held the position of Executive Producer for Daily News, leading daily and breaking news coverage, helping reporters craft and sharpen their stories, and helping launch The Texas Newsroom, a collaboration between Houston Public Media, NPR and public media stations in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.

Ramirez has won multiple awards for her coverage of breaking news, politics and government, and public affairs reporting. In her career, she has covered a wide range of topics including the crash of the Space Shuttle Columbia, Hurricanes Katrina, Ike and Harvey among other natural disasters, the Enron trials, and numerous elections. She is a frequent contributor to NPR and has been heard on CNN, the BBC, MSNBC and multiple international news outlets.

She was named the Radio Journalist of the Year in Texas in 2012 by the Houston Press Club and won the award for Best Newscast in 2016 from the Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI). She is a graduate of the University of Houston.

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  • Tornadoes reported, high water across Houston region as severe storms move through

  • An old bus station for sale could transform the area between Houston’s Midtown and Downtown

  • Texas Lottery ticket worth $1 million, purchased near Houston in July, remains unclaimed as deadline approaches

  • New Houston ordinance allows property owners to opt out of building sidewalk, but must pay a fee instead

  • Local, state officials condemn proposed bill that forbids people, businesses from certain countries from owning Texas land

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News

Harris County Sues Watson Grinding Over Massive Explosion

Laurie Johnson

Posted on January 30, 2020 · The lawsuit alleges the company emitted pollutants into the air when a 2,000-gallon propylene tank exploded.

Education News

In New Lawsuit, Houston Teachers Union Alleges Racial Discrimination In HISD Takeover

Laurie Johnson

Posted on November 19, 2019 · The suit, brought by the Houston Federation of Teachers, claims the proposed state takeover is unconstitutional because it disenfranchises minority voters.

News

Houston Chronicle Retracts Reports, Issues Corrections Due To Fabricated Information

Laurie Johnson

Posted on November 9, 2018 · An outside investigator reviewed reporter Mike Ward’s notes and lists of contacts and found 44 percent of people quoted in his stories didn't appear to exist.

Arts & Culture

Famed Houston Poet Tony Hoagland Has Died after Battle with Cancer

Catherine Lu / Laurie Johnson

Posted on October 24, 2018 · The celebrated poet, teacher, and critic was known for poems that commented on contemporary American life with wit and poignancy.

Tags poetry Tony Hoagland University of Houston Creative Writing Program

News

Dispute over State Senator Sylvia Garcia’s Intent to Resign Continues

Laurie Johnson

Posted on August 28, 2018 · Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart says the Texas Secretary of State and the county’s legal department agree he doesn’t have the authority to call elections

News

Governor Abbott And Democratic Opponent Lupe Valdez Agree to Debate in September

Laurie Johnson

Posted on August 27, 2018 · The debate will take place in Austin on September 28

News

Two Children Killed In ‘Family Violence’ Shooting In Northeast Harris County

Laurie Johnson / HPM Digital Team

Posted on July 12, 2018 · The Sheriff calls it a “dark day” in the county

Tags Ed Gonzalez harris county houston sheriff

News

Houston Forecast: Potential Heavy Rain Tuesday Night Through Independence Day

HPM Digital Team / Laurie Johnson

Posted on July 3, 2018 · Severe thunderstorms could wash out some Independence Day celebrations across the Houston region

Tags 4th of July houston rain thunderstorm weather

News

Memorial Park To Be Transformed By $70 Million Gift

Laurie Johnson

Posted on April 25, 2018 · Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the gift from the Kinder Foundation.

Tags Houston parks Kinder Foundation memorial park

News

Houston, Harris County To Get Billions In HUD Grants To Help Hurricane Harvey Recovery

Laurie Johnson

Posted on April 10, 2018 · Nearly eight months after Hurricane Harvey, Texas is releasing more than $5 billion in Community Development Block Grants from HUD for disaster recovery

Tags congress U.S. Housing and Urban Development

News

EPA Moves Forward on Clean-Up of San Jacinto Waste Pits

Laurie Johnson

Posted on April 9, 2018 · EPA says it will take 29 months to complete the clean-up.

Tags epa Houston Superfund san jacinto river San Jacinto waste pits

News

WATCH: Houston Zoo Announces $150 Million Expansion

Laurie Johnson

Posted on April 5, 2018 · The Houston Zoo will undergo a 20-year transformation of its 55-acre campus.

Tags houston zoo zoo expansion

Photo of the Astrodome

News

Houston Astrodome Will Host ‘Domecoming’ Before Undergoing Renovation

HPM Digital Team / Laurie Johnson

Posted on March 20, 2018 · Admission for the April 9 public event is free but attendees must register online

Tags astrodome Domecoming harris county houston texas

News

University Of Houston To Create New Medical School

Laurie Johnson / Matthew Watkins, Texas Tribune

Posted on November 16, 2017 · The university hopes the medical school will address a shortage of primary care physicians in Houston and Texas

Tags medical school news UH College of Medicine university of houston

News

Houston Press Abruptly Ends Print Publication

Laurie Johnson

Posted on November 3, 2017 · The longtime alternative weekly paper will only be available in digital formats.

Tags alternative weekly Houston Press voice media group

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