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.
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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.
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Students at AHB Community School in Hyde Park have been hard at work building tiny homes for the fairies on campus.
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For some, Old Austin boiled down to a feeling. For others, it was a person, a band, a beer, a stage …
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Austin City Limits Radio announced on Friday that Blues on the Green would continue thanks to increased funding from H-E-B and Austin City Council's recent resolution to support the summer event.
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"Women over 60, we have rich histories, rich stories," Swarts said. "I'm just waiting for the guy that wants to hear my story."
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Aunque la nieve y el hielo son poco frecuentes en Austin, siempre es mejor estar preparado. Estos son los suministros de emergencia que debes almacenar para tu casa y tu vehículo, consejos para proteger tu propiedad y fuentes de confianza a seguir para obtener más información.
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Even though snow and ice are rare in Austin, it's always better to be prepared. Here are the emergency supplies you should store for your home and car, tips for protecting your property and trusted sources to follow for more information.
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Several events celebrating MLK Day on Monday have been rescheduled or canceled. Here's the latest.
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Local newspaper archives show people have missed "Old Austin" as far back as 1884.
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Quack’s is known for its unique seasonal cookie designs. Here’s how the bakery makes them — and how you can make them, too.