Kelly Catalfamo

journalist

Phoenix, Arizona

politics. science. travel. coffee.

Kelly Catalfamo

journalist

Phoenix, Arizona

politics. science. travel. coffee.

Utah governor signs church-backed anti-discrimination bill
Gov. Gary Herbert on Thursday signed into law an anti-discrimination measure that earned the support of the Mormon church amid a crowd that brought smiling clergy members together with LGBT activists draped in rainbow flags.
The Associated Press
Lawmakers vote to make Utah only state with firing squad
Lawmakers have passed a bill that would make Utah the only state to allow firing squads for carrying out a death penalty if there is a shortage of execution drugs. The passage of the bill by the state Senate on Tuesday comes as states struggle to obtain lethal injection drugs amid a nationwide shortage.
The Associated Press
Residents of forgotten Montville road feel abandoned
Back in February, when a blizzard dumped 36 inches of snow on the town, residents hunkered down in their homes and waited for the town to plow their roads. Things were different on Maynard Road in Oakdale, where eight families worked in shifts throughout the night to clear the street. "That was horrible," recalled resident Lynda Jean, who shoveled the snow while her neighbors used snowblowers and four wheelers.
The Day
‘Learning a little differently’
Margie Faustino has earnest brown eyes, wears mala prayer beads wrapped around her wrist and speaks passionately about politics. If you spent a few minutes talking to her, you wouldn't be surprised to learn that she's considering a career in education. What you might not expect to hear, however, is that she's a three-time high school dropout.
The Day
Courtney handily wins fifth term in Congress
In a decisive victory, voters returned U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, to Congress for a fifth term on Tuesday. Courtney, 61, emphasized that he “can point to real, concrete results” as a legislator and would never take the voters in the Second District for granted.
The Day
Facing Senate ‘afterlife,’ Lieberman reflects on legacy
As he moves into what he says his colleagues refer to as "the afterlife," retiring U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., has no shortage of commentary on the institution he is leaving behind. "This much I can say, unfortunately, with confidence - that the last two years have been the most partisan, uncompromising and unproductive of my 24 years here," Lieberman reflected during a recent interview in his Senate office.
The Day
Want a meal on 2 wheels? Utah may halt bikes in drive-thrus
Cyclists who want to grab a quick taco or hamburger while cruising through Salt Lake City may soon find that Utah has restricted their two-wheeled meals. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow Salt Lake restaurants to ban cyclists from drive-thru lanes, a move that would override a city rule passed just a few months ago.
The Associated Press
Orphaned baby orangutan at Hogle Zoo has his big debut; sister steps in to help mother
Fleece jackets, piles of hay, a fuzzy stuffed animal sloth and a lot of fruit were on Bobbi Gordon's shopping list when she became a surrogate mother to a big-eyed, spikey-haired little boy.
The Associated Press
Anna Coit, North Stonington’s grande dame, dies at age 106
Anna North Coit, prolific poet, founding member of the North Stonington Historical Society and a role model to friends of many ages, died Wednesday morning at Apple Rehab in Mystic. She was 106. Coit was one of the first female editors at Time magazine and never stopped writing on her yellow legal pads, even after a stroke weakened her hand.
The Day
Morgan sea trial involves lots of learning
If Sunday's sea trial is any indication, life aboard the Charles W. Morgan will be all about rope. As the crew prepared for the 173-year-old whaling ship's upcoming journey to New England ports with a seven-hour excursion in Long Island Sound, they did just about everything you imagine with the rope: they tugged it, coiled it, uncoiled it, knotted it, climbed it, complained about it, lashed it and whipped it.
The Day
Should the Salt Lake library be open 24 hours?
What started as a nonprofit's effort to find a safe spot for homeless youth has evolved into an experiment in making a public library more relevant to its community.
The Salt Lake Tribune
Emotions run high between Salem School officials, parents
During better times, it might have been surprising for a school board meeting to end with the parent of a first-grader holding back tears. But Suzanne Gendron's passionate speech at the end of Monday's Board of Education meeting was only the latest in a series of emotional moments that have punctuated the school's budgeting process.
The Day

About

Kelly Catalfamo

editing

writing

science reporting

political reporting

education reporting

biology

longform journalism

politics

profiles

investigative reporting

As a political junkie, I feel lucky that I've been able to cover government at all levels, from New England town meetings to the U.S. Congress.

In 2012, I was a Washington, D.C. correspondent covering Congress and the Democratic National Convention for The Day, a newspaper in eastern Connecticut.

Back in New England, I covered four municipalities and the 2014 congressional election.

In 2015, I moved west and reported from the Utah statehouse for The Associated Press.

But I'm not only interested in politics. I majored in biology, married an engineer, and am always looking for an opportunity to write about science.

Journalism has led me to unusual places: I've found myself aboard a 173-year-old whaling ship, meeting a baby orangutan in a zoo, sitting next to ranchers in a court room, tasting foraged mushrooms, and discussing conspiracy theories about mountain lions in a diner.

I'm currently in Phoenix, Arizona, where I work with content from 13 states as a news associate on AP's West Desk.

I'm always looking for a new story. Contact me using the links to the right.