About Alana Semuels

SEMUELS, ALANA covers the California economy for the Los Angeles Times. This job has taken her around the state of California, where she’s written about gold mines, fishermen, pot farmers, loggers and the other people who make the state tick. Semuels was born and raised in Boston, and graduated with a degree in American history and literature from Harvard College. Her first journalism job was with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, followed by a stint in London covering Britain for the Boston Globe. She spends her free time hiking, traveling and reading, and just finished writing a novel. Her travels have taken her to 40 countries.

Stories

Digital media stories published elsewhere by Alana Semuels:

  • Living in the American Gothic House [edit]
    Beth Howard lives in the house made famous by Grant Wood's 1930 painting, American Gothic. Living in a tourist destination makes for some interesting run-ins with strangers.
  • North Dakota isn't feeling the slump [edit]
    North Dakota is booming, despite the nation's bad economy. Open jobs and promise of better pay are drawing people from all over the nation. This video talks to Samuel Hicks, who moved from Iowa and set up a tent behind his workplace, braving wind and rain and a barbed wire fence to support his family.
  • Video: searching for salmon off Half Moon Bay [edit]
    The salmon season has been essentially closed in California for three years, but it opened in May 2011. Fisherman Duncan MacLean is excited about the opening, but worries that there aren't enough fish in the ocean to sustain him and other fishermen. We head out for a day at sea to check out the waters.
  • Video: Kern County's economy gains as commodity prices rise [edit]
    The run-up in gold and silver prices leads to the reopening of a mine near Mojave, and higher crude prices give a boost to the county's oil fields. Crops such as cotton also are soaring in value. But some workers feel left behind.
  • Retirees boost population of Lincoln, Calif., but not its commerce [edit]
    Lincoln, California grew 282% over the decade, boosted in part by a large retirement community built there. But commerce hasn't followed, and the town is out of money and forced to provide four times the services. For more, check out the story Retirees boost population of Lincoln, Calif., but not its commerce at http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-old-town-20110428,0,912702.story
  • Interactive: Listen to some of the characters at the Desert Market [edit]
    The Desert Market is located in Daggett, a desert town that appears abandoned. But for locals, it's a lifeline -- for beer, energy drinks, cigarettes, and most important, the store's owner, who they call Joe. Meet some of Joe's frequent customers through this Flash project

Writing

Content on this site written by Alana Semuels (includes contributory writing):

  • Projects

    • Playland-Not-At-The-Beach
    • “Playland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Museum of Fun. Designed and built entirely by volunteers, the 20+ interactive exhibits celebrate the magic and history of America's bygone amusements. Our goal is ...