Chelsey Zhu
Digital ProducerWhat I do at KUT
I’m all over the place. Most of the time, I focus on writing stories for our website, creating social media posts and putting together KUT’s daily newsletter. Occasionally, I edit digital stories, speak into a mic and play matchmaker for Austin singles. I’m always on the lookout for stories that are positive, local and restore people’s faith in humanity.
My background
I’ve always wanted to work in public radio — as a kid, I fantasized about signing off a story with, “Chelsey Zhu, NPR News.” (Yes, that is an extremely weird thing for a 10-year-old to dream about.)
In pursuit of that goal, I took journalism classes in college, wrote for the student magazine, dabbled in podcast production and interned at places like Forbes, WXPN and FactCheck.org. My first job out of college was being a producer for HerMoney, a personal finance podcast that helps women gain confidence with money.
I’m originally from Murfreesboro, Tenn. I lived in Philadelphia for a few years before moving to Austin in 2022. My favorite thing about this city is that people thank bus drivers here.
Journalistic ethics
I used to think being a good journalist meant only reporting on Very Serious Things. But I’ve come to realize that people need to read and listen to happy stories, too, and those are the stories I love to chase! Examples: I’ve made people scream as a haunted house actor, investigated Austin’s love of nostalgia and interviewed a local reality TV star about finding love at any age.
There’s no better feeling than talking to someone who’s doing a really funny/heartwarming/quirky thing in their community — and who wants to share that joy with everyone else. If you know of anything like that, please reach out at czhu@kut.org.
-
Protesters tried to block buses from leaving with those who were arrested. Police responded by arresting more people, throwing flash-bangs and spraying the crowd with what seemed like pepper spray.
-
The protest, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee in Austin, is the latest in a wave of demonstrations sweeping college campuses. UT Austin administration had warned the group Tuesday not to hold the event.
-
A tornado watch and severe thunderstorm warning was issued earlier in the day.
-
El 1 de enero entró en vigencia la Ley 17 del Senado, que prohíbe a las universidades públicas de Texas tener programas y cursos de DEI. Desde entonces, la UT Austin ha renombrado, reorganizado o eliminado varias organizaciones universitarias. Ahora está recortando puestos de trabajo.
-
Austinites practicing in the spiritual realm believe the eclipse is a rare opportunity for personal growth — if you know how to take advantage of it. Some said the impact is even greater if you’re in the path of totality.
-
Senate Bill 17, which bans Texas public universities from having DEI programs and trainings, went into effect Jan. 1. Since then, UT Austin has renamed, reorganized or eliminated several university organizations. Now it's cutting jobs.
-
Fourty-four Tom Green Elementary School pre-K students and 11 adults were on the bus.
-
La troll de Austin es la última de las 129 esculturas similares que el artista danés Thomas Dambo ha construido por todo el mundo. Dambo, autodenominado "artista de la basura", está especializado en arte con temas medioambientales y materiales reciclados.
-
Austin’s troll is the latest of 129 similar sculptures that Danish artist Thomas Dambo has built across the world. Dambo, a self-described “garbage artist," specializes in art with environmental themes and recycled materials.
-
BEPI Park has been a mini-golf course, a Squid Game-inspired holiday display, a community vegetable garden and even an active volcano. Now, it’s a wild troll that its creator imagines as a perfect companion for Pease Park troll down the street.