Update on NPR staffing for election coverage

In a note to newsroom staff, Chief Washington Editor, Krishnadev Calamur, shared the following update:

We are delighted to announce that Elena Moore is our new Politics reporter who will cover new voters for the duration of the election cycle. Elena has had a head start with this beat, identifying it as a key segment that's worth covering before the 2022 midterms. She successfully juggled her job as assistant producer on the NPR Politics Podcast with her sharply focused story pitches for all platforms. Elena was previously the desk's researcher for the 2020 election cycle as well as a Washington Desk intern.

Also joining the Politics team for that period is Jeongyoon Han, who comes to us from a fellowship at NHPR. Jeongyoon will be the 2024 elections editorial assistant. Over the next year, she'll be helping develop the briefing book, research and fact check our elections work, assist on the pod and generally pitch in on 2024 coverage. Jeongyoon was an intern and news assistant for Weekend Edition last summer. 

In addition, Eric McDaniel, the editor of the NPR Politics Podcast, joins the congressional team as a reporter until Feb. 25. Eric has jumped into the job very quickly, with notable turns on the shows and digital, too, during what has been an intense political cycle on Capitol Hill.

Please also congratulate the following members of the desk who were promoted in the latest cycle:

Deepa Shivaram is now a White House correspondent. She has been a reporter on the team since June. Over the past five months, Deepa has carved a niche for herself covering the White House's action on AI, and has managed to find moments of joy and levity amid the constant barrage of news. Deepa has consistently proven herself to be willing to jump on any and all assignments, and carry them out with a cool head. Before coming to NPR in July 2021, she was a campaign embed at NBC News, covering both Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren through 2020, and was an associate producer at NBC's Meet the Press.

Megan Pratz has been promoted to senior editor. Ever since she joined the desk last July, Megan has led our political coverage and Politics team through what promises to be an exciting election season. Prior to coming to NPR, Megan ran the Washington bureau for Cheddar News, the streaming network. 

Casey Morell has been promoted to Producer II on the NPR Politics Podcast. Over the past year on the desk, Casey has made himself an integral part of the team.

Barbara Sprunt, who is currently on a stint with the National Desk, is being promoted to Reporter II. This is a long overdue move for Barbara, who spent much of the past year covering Congress as a reporter.

Please join us in congratulating Elena, Eric, Deepa, Megan, Casey and Barbara, and welcoming Jeongyoon.

– Krishnadev, Dana, Muthoni, Andrew