Our TEAM

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Alice Harrison is the Community District 6 reporter for The Bronx Bulletin, largely covering the Belmont, Tremont, and West Farms neighborhoods. A former nonprofit communications strategist with a deep commitment to equity, justice, and community impact, Alice has worked across sectors to craft campaigns that drive social change—from food

Alice Harrison is the Community District 6 reporter for The Bronx Bulletin, largely covering the Belmont, Tremont, and West Farms neighborhoods. A former nonprofit communications strategist with a deep commitment to equity, justice, and community impact, Alice has worked across sectors to craft campaigns that drive social change—from food justice and affordable housing, to public health and racial equity. Now pursuing a Master’s in Journalism at Columbia Journalism School, Alice aims to deepen her craft and produce stories that inspire empathy and catalyze positive change. Alice would love to hear from you; you can reach her at adh2202@columbia.edu. 

Baiz Hoen is a reporter and social media manager for the Bronx Bulletin. She covers Community District 10, primarily the Throggs Neck, Westchester Square, and Schuylerville neighborhoods. On top of her work at the Bronx Bulletin, she is the producer for Vibes Only, a politics podcast covering the fight for democracy in the United States. 

Baiz Hoen is a reporter and social media manager for the Bronx Bulletin. She covers Community District 10, primarily the Throggs Neck, Westchester Square, and Schuylerville neighborhoods. On top of her work at the Bronx Bulletin, she is the producer for Vibes Only, a politics podcast covering the fight for democracy in the United States. Questions? Concerns? Answers? Reach Baiz at bdh2146@columbia.edu.

Elliot Leitner is the Community District 1 reporter for the Bronx Bulletin, largely covering the Melrose and Mott Haven neighborhoods. Before that, he studied English Education at the University of Louisiana and has worked for over a decade as an educator and union organizer in California and Texas. Now, as an M.S. student in Columbia’s S

Elliot Leitner is the Community District 1 reporter for the Bronx Bulletin, largely covering the Melrose and Mott Haven neighborhoods. Before that, he studied English Education at the University of Louisiana and has worked for over a decade as an educator and union organizer in California and Texas. Now, as an M.S. student in Columbia’s School of Journalism, he’s interested in reporting on education and LGBTQ issues. Your questions and tips are always welcome. Reach me at el3419@columbia.edu or @BronxBulletinEl on X.

 Grace Blendonohy is a reporter covering Community District 4 of the Bronx. She is currently a graduate student at Columbia University's School of Journalism. Grace received her bachelor's degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where she held various internships, including one as a legislative intern for Senator Tammy Duck

 Grace Blendonohy is a reporter covering Community District 4 of the Bronx. She is currently a graduate student at Columbia University's School of Journalism. Grace received her bachelor's degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where she held various internships, including one as a legislative intern for Senator Tammy Duckworth and another as a Capitol Hill news reporter at Fox News. Her work has been published by the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University. Grace is passionate about broadcast and foreign correspondence. Reach Grace at gb2983@columbia.edu.

 Jasmine Venet is a reporter and photo editor for the Bronx Bulletin. She covers Community District 7, which includes Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge Heights, Norwood, and University Heights. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, California, Venet graduated from New York University with a B.A. in English Literature and Journalism

 Jasmine Venet is a reporter and photo editor for the Bronx Bulletin. She covers Community District 7, which includes Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge Heights, Norwood, and University Heights. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, California, Venet graduated from New York University with a B.A. in English Literature and Journalism. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Science at Columbia Journalism School. Before joining the Bulletin, Venet wrote for The Daily Beast, Mochi Magazine, and local news outlets in California. Got any tips? You can reach her at jav2197@columbia.edu. 

Jimena Elmufdi is a Bronx Bulletin reporter covering Community District 4, which includes Highbridge, Concourse, and Mount Eden. Most recently she interned at the Dominican Republic Mission to the United Nations. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she graduated from Wake Forest University with a bachelor's degree in Communication and

Jimena Elmufdi is a Bronx Bulletin reporter covering Community District 4, which includes Highbridge, Concourse, and Mount Eden. Most recently she interned at the Dominican Republic Mission to the United Nations. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she graduated from Wake Forest University with a bachelor's degree in Communication and minors in Journalism and Art History. She can be reached at Jme2169@columbia.edu.

Julz Vargas is a reporter and social media manager for the bulletin. She covers Community District 1, which is home to Mott Haven, Port Morris, and Melrose. She is an M.S. graduate student at the Columbia Journalism School and hails from Los Angeles, California. Most recently, Vargas wrote for Catalyst Planet on travel and social action. 

Julz Vargas is a reporter and social media manager for the bulletin. She covers Community District 1, which is home to Mott Haven, Port Morris, and Melrose. She is an M.S. graduate student at the Columbia Journalism School and hails from Los Angeles, California. Most recently, Vargas wrote for Catalyst Planet on travel and social action. She studied Anthropology and Spanish at Wellesley College, with a focus on everyday life and countercultures. She is passionate about connecting with her collaborators and sharing their stories. Got tips on District 1? You can reach her at jlv2154@columbia.edu.

 Leena Fraihat is a Bronx Bulletin reporter covering Community District 11 neighborhoods— Allerton, Bronxdale, Indian Village, Laconia, Morris Park, Pelham Garden, Pelham Parkway and Van Nest. Currently a graduate student at Columbia Journalism School, she received her B.A. in Media Studies from the University of Virginia, this past May. 

 Leena Fraihat is a Bronx Bulletin reporter covering Community District 11 neighborhoods— Allerton, Bronxdale, Indian Village, Laconia, Morris Park, Pelham Garden, Pelham Parkway and Van Nest. Currently a graduate student at Columbia Journalism School, she received her B.A. in Media Studies from the University of Virginia, this past May. She is also currently the Vice President of Columbia Journalism School’s Arab and Middle Eastern Journalist Association (AMEJA) chapter. Leena is passionate about journalism that highlights underrepresented and minority communities. Got information on District 11? You can reach her by email lf2882@columbia.edu.

Lizbeth Cortes-Gutierrez is a reporter covering Community Districts 5 and 11 . She is an M.S. candidate at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Co-President of CJS-Women in Media. She grew up in Southern California and graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor French & Fr

Lizbeth Cortes-Gutierrez is a reporter covering Community Districts 5 and 11 . She is an M.S. candidate at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Co-President of CJS-Women in Media. She grew up in Southern California and graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor French & Francophone Studies. 

During her time at CSULB, she served as a Staff Writer and eventually an Opinions Assistant Editor for the Long Beach Current, interned with the Long Beach Journalism Initiative and wrote across beats including news, opinions and arts & life. 

Her reporting in California has spotlighted issues such as discrimination against guide-dog handlers by rideshare companies, as well as LA County ballot measures, which she broke down through explainer articles. She is passionate about stories that blend investigative depth with social impact, especially those often overlooked because of language barriers or political complexity.

For tips or inquiries feel free to contact her at lc4029@columbia.edu or via instagram @lilicortesg.

Tania Azhang covers the neighborhoods of Community District 8, including Riverdale, Kingsbridge and Marble Hill. Prior to the Bronx Bulletin, she worked for The Sacramento Bee as an opinion columnist. Tania graduated with a degree in American Studies from Pitzer College, where she was the Managing Editor of Arts & Culture and Opinions at 

Tania Azhang covers the neighborhoods of Community District 8, including Riverdale, Kingsbridge and Marble Hill. Prior to the Bronx Bulletin, she worked for The Sacramento Bee as an opinion columnist. Tania graduated with a degree in American Studies from Pitzer College, where she was the Managing Editor of Arts & Culture and Opinions at the campus newspaper The Student Life. Tania speaks English, French and Farsi, and can be reached at ta2585@columbia.edu. 

Victoria is a Community District 12  reporter for The Bronx Bulletin, focused on covering the neighbourhood of Woodlawn. Before attending the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, she worked as a journalist at LA NACION—Argentina's most prestigious newspaper—where she reported about artificial intelligence and nuclear energy. She also c

Victoria is a Community District 12  reporter for The Bronx Bulletin, focused on covering the neighbourhood of Woodlawn. Before attending the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, she worked as a journalist at LA NACION—Argentina's most prestigious newspaper—where she reported about artificial intelligence and nuclear energy. She also contributed to international outlets such as Rest of World, where she wrote investigative pieces related to AI. Her main beat is technology, but she is currently interested in reporting about migration and different communities in New York City. Victoria may be reached at vm2819@columbia.edu. 

Victoria Newsome is a reporter covering  Community District 2 (Hunts Point/Longwood), focusing on stories about sports, youth/accessibility, health, and community. She brings energy and depth to her work as a journalist, contributing to CBS Sports Network, Columbia Athletics, TNT Sports (NCAA.com), Villanova Athletics, CBS News Philadelph

Victoria Newsome is a reporter covering  Community District 2 (Hunts Point/Longwood), focusing on stories about sports, youth/accessibility, health, and community. She brings energy and depth to her work as a journalist, contributing to CBS Sports Network, Columbia Athletics, TNT Sports (NCAA.com), Villanova Athletics, CBS News Philadelphia, NBC10 Philadelphia, and AKSM Media - White House Student Media. She grew up in Columbia, Maryland, and attended Villanova University for her undergraduate studies. She's a former collegiate dancer who now pursues her M.S. in Journalism at Columbia University, specializing in sports media and broadcast journalism, and serves as President of the Class of 2026. She's excited to learn more about the Bronx and cover the community needs! Reach her at vln2117@columbia.edu.