Liz Baker
Liz Baker is a producer on NPR's National Desk based in Los Angeles, and is often on the road producing coverage of domestic breaking news stories.
Since joining NPR as an Arts Desk intern in 2010, Baker has worked on each of NPR's newsmagazine programs and dozens of hours of special coverage, including every election night and inauguration special since President Obama's second term. She has covered natural and man-made disasters, including Hurricanes Maria, Ida, and Ian, the catastrophic 2019-2020 wildfire seasons in California, Oregon, and Australia, and the Surfside condo collapse in Florida. She also covered mass shootings in Buffalo, NY, Uvalde, TX, and Monterey Park, CA, and high-profile court cases such as the hate crime and murder trial against Ahmaud Arbery's killers in Brunswick, GA, Harvey Weinstein's sexual assault trial in Los Angeles, and Britney Spears' conservatorship hearing.
In 2020, Baker produced on-the-ground coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the summer of racial justice protests following the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. She reported extensively on the protests in her hometown of Rochester, NY, which were sparked by police body camera video of Daniel Prude's death and contributed to renewed conversations about policing reform and mental illness.
From 2015 to 2019, Baker produced and directed Weekend All Things Considered; working closely with host Michel Martin to revitalize the program after its move to Washington, D.C. following a 2-year run in Los Angeles.
In her spare time, she enjoys climbing, camping, and clomping around the Santa Monica mountains with a too-heavy pack, always ready to lend first aid and snacks to others on the trail.
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Political scientists say growing acceptance of unfounded conspiracy theories is fueling disengagement and distrust in democratic institutions, an effect that is trickling down to local politics. -
Police officers in Rochester, N.Y., who handcuffed and pepper-sprayed a 9-year-old girl in distress after a family dispute, are suspended — following the release of body-cam footage of the ordeal.
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Howard marching band members and dancers are thrilled to escort Vice President Harris during the inauguration parade. "I honestly can't believe it's happening," one student said. -
Across the country, there are growing concerns that the bitterness and animosity over the presidential election will not end when the polls close. -
The family of Breonna Taylor spoke publicly on Friday for the first time since a Kentucky grand jury declined to indict any of the officers directly in her death.
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As Black Lives Matter protests spread across the country, a lot of white people joined in to help the cause. In many cities Black leaders are being deliberate about the roles "white allies" play. -
The mayor of Rochester, N.Y., has ordered the immediate suspension of seven police officers over the death of Daniel Prude, a Black man who died after being restrained during his arrest in March.
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The seven officers involved in Daniel Prude's death have been suspended a day after Prude's family released the video of his March encounter with Rochester, N.Y., city police.
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There's outraged over the death of Daniel Prude in Rochester, N.Y., which happened in March. Body camera footage from his encounter with police was released Wednesday.
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Some donors have gotten their money back after contributing to "We Build the Wall." Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and other officials at the nonprofit are accused of bilking donors.
