Michelle Matus

Coordinator, Membership and Digital Services

Michelle Matus joined KUNR in September 2016 after completing her master’s degree in Interactive Media at the University of Nevada, Reno. Michelle also holds bachelor's degrees in French and International Affairs from UNR.

She is former chef turned multimedia storyteller with a passion for travel and has lived and worked across the United States and the world including France, Belgium, Australia, and South Korea. Michelle is an accomplished photographer, filmmaker, and writer. Most recently, she won the prestigious Shafik Gabr East-West: Art of Dialogue Fellowship traveling to Egypt and Washington, D.C. as a diplomatic fellow. She has a passion for international, environmental, and social justice issues and is a former research fellow with the award-winning digital news platform, News Deeply.

When she isn't in front of a computer screen, she can be found in the mountains backpacking, climbing, or skiing.

Ways to Connect

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Is The Robotic Revolution Upon Us?

By Paul Boger & Michelle Matus • Aug 14, 2019

A white robot with human features stands ready to assist humans with various tasks. — Alex Knight via Unsplash

For nearly a century, they’ve been at the forefront of science fiction. They’ve been both heroes and villains. Sometimes they’re highly sophisticated and intelligent, while others are a bit more bumbling and even neurotic. We’re talking, of course, about robots.

Is Seeing Really Believing?

By Michelle Matus & Paul Boger • Jul 17, 2019

There’s an old adage that 'seeing is believing' or 'I’ll believe it when I see it,' but can our eyes really be trusted?

Searching For Life 'Out There'

By Michelle Matus & Paul Boger • Jun 12, 2019

Since antiquity, humans have been looking up and wondering, ‘Is there life out there?’ or ‘Are we alone?’. The latest Kepler mission data suggests that there are over 40 billion habitable world zones in the universe with the potential to support life. Out of the 40 billion habitable zones, there has to be life out there somewhere, right?

What Firefighters' Stories Can Teach Us

By Michelle Matus & Paul Boger • May 15, 2019

two firefighters hold hose in front of blaze — Unsplash

Firefighters work in high-stress, high-stakes environments, constantly making choices in the face of cascading uncertainty. They’re putting their lives on the line and taking into consideration everything that’s in the path of a blaze, including people, property, animals, and even environmental resources, like water.

Watch Live: William Barr Testifies Before The House Judiciary Committee

By Michelle Matus • May 2, 2019

Attorney General William Barr is testifying before the House Judiciary Committee to answer questions about special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Watch the proceedings in the Democratic-led committee live.

Watch Live: William Barr Testifies Before The Senate Judiciary Committee

By Michelle Matus • May 1, 2019

Attorney General William Barr is testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee to answer questions about special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Watch the proceedings in the Republican-led committee live.

Watch Live: William Barr Press Conference

By Michelle Matus • Apr 17, 2019

Outside facade of Department of Justice — Liam James Doyle / NPR

Attorney General William Barr delivers a press conference at the Justice Department ahead of the expected release of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. A redacted version of the report is expected to be released on Thursday, April 18.

Resiliency In The Face Of Climate Change

By Michelle Matus & Paul Boger • Apr 17, 2019

Climate change is becoming a reality. According to NASA, over the next century, our planet is likely going to see some pretty significant changes. We’re already seeing rising sea levels due to the melting ice caps, along with storms that are stronger and more frequent.

For people living in the American West, the snowpack is becoming less predictable. Summers are longer and hotter, and severe droughts are pushing us to become more reliant on water reserves. Perhaps most notably, those hotter, drier summers are resulting in more and more wildfires.

Examining Fire Resilience In The American West

By Michelle Matus & Paul Boger • Apr 16, 2019

Smoke and burned trees from a wildfire — Photo by Joanne Francis on Unsplash

The ecosystems of the American West are under threat from climate change. Analysis by the Bureau of Land Management says areas like the Great Basin are particularly susceptible, with invasive species, increasing temperatures and years of extreme drought, putting the country’s largest desert at risk.

Introducing Science Distilled, A New KUNR Podcast

By Michelle Matus & Paul Boger • Apr 10, 2019

Science Distilled is a podcast based on the lecture series of the same name, where we break down concepts from cutting edge science and research and learn how they apply to the world around us. The podcast is hosted by KUNR's Paul Boger and Michelle Matus.

Watch Live: Cohen Testimony

By Michelle Matus • Feb 26, 2019

Michael Cohen, President Trump's former lawyer, is testifying on Capitol Hill. Cohen has been sentenced to three years in prison, to begin in May, after pleading guilty to charges related to payments he made to two women who allege they had sexual encounters with Trump.

Watch Live: Trump State Of The Union

By Michelle Matus • Feb 5, 2019

President Trump is delivering a State of the Union address after a delay due to the government shutdown. Watch his speech live, followed by a Democratic response delivered by former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.

Watch Live: Trump Remarks On Government Shutdown

By Michelle Matus • Jan 25, 2019

President Trump is speaking at the White House regarding the government shutdown. Watch his remarks from the Rose Garden live.

Watch Live: Barr Confirmation Hearings

By Michelle Matus • Jan 15, 2019

image of U.S. Capitol building behind tree branches. — Liam James Doyle/ NPR

The Senate is holding confirmation hearings this week for President Trump's pick to run the Justice Department. William Barr is the nominee to be the next Attorney General. Lawmakers are questioning his views on the Special Counsel's Russia investigation, whether a sitting president can be indicted, and other matters. Watch the proceedings live.

Watch Live: Trump Oval Office Address

By Michelle Matus • Jan 8, 2019

President Trump is addressing the nation about border security tonight (Tuesday, Jan. 8). Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Charles Schumer will give a joint response immediately following.

The government is partially shut down, with Trump in a stalemate with Democrats over funding for a wall along the southern border. Watch the remarks live.

Live: Bush National Cathedral Ceremony

By Michelle Matus • Dec 5, 2018

Former President George H.W. Bush is being honored with funeral services at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. The 41st president will be eulogized by his son, former President George W. Bush, as well as a former U.S. senator and a former Canadian prime minister. Dozens of U.S. and world leaders are expected to attend the service.