Ann Smajstrla

Ann Smajstrla (Smy-stra-la) is a writer, reporter and editor based in Austin, Texas. She has written and edited news copy for print, broadcast and wire service news sources. Examples of her writing and editing work are linked below.

Hire Ann for freelance writing, reporting, proofreading or copyediting projects by emailing her at annsmajstrla(at)gmail(dot)com.

For Engadget:

• Record-breaking Faraday Future prototype EVs are up for auction

• Lyft commits to all electric vehicles by 2030

• ASUS's latest ZenBooks are thin and light but don't skip on ports

• Yelp lets businesses share how they're enforcing COVID-19 safety precautions

• DC is making HBO Max-inspired comic books for some reason

• NASA and Astrobotic will deliver water-seeking VIPER rover to the Moon

• Huawei P40 Pro+ with five-lens camera available for pre-order in Europe

For the Austin American-Statesman:

• Williamson County leaders sending ‘LivePD’ crew cease and desist letter

• Williamson County home appraisals reflect pre-coronavirus growth

• Central Texas homebuilders adjust to coronavirus

• Round Rock veteran, furry companion persevere together

• Upper Brushy Creek WCID candidates focus on area growth

• Williamson County sets course to flourish with Health Improvement Plan

• Westwood High senior in running for national Military Child of the Year award

For Cox Media Group:

• Walmart experiments with expanding AI presence in stores

• Va. Gov. Ralph Northam says he plans to finish term with devotion to racial equity

• Trump pardons former soldier convicted of killing Iraqi prisoner

• Kentucky high schooler who sued for right to not vaccinate contracts chickenpox

• Alabama lawmakers approve ‘born alive’ abortion bill

• Study: White meat as bad as red meat for cholesterol

• Epidural gets stuck in Florida woman's back, isn't removed for 4 days

Edited for the Associated Press:

• Aretha Franklin funeral eulogy slammed; pastor stands firm

• Mental health exam could loosen restrictions for Hinckley

• Tennessee death row inmates raise using fire squad in legal challenge

• Florida candidate accused of faking diploma drops out

• Suit: Louisiana black bear needs renewed federal protection

• 3 special sessions this year cost Louisiana more than $1.5M

For Medium:

• I didn't care about the Royal Family until Meghan Markle became Duchess of Sussex

• Mental health: Progress isn't linear

• AP reporter Michael Graczyk and the importance of media witnesses to executions

• What's with men telling women to smile?

• The Soylent club

• Yes, you should pay for the news. Here's why.

For WXIA-TV/11Alive:

• What's behind the skyrocketing rent prices in metro Atlanta?

• Is teaching becoming more dangerous?

• Indicted Snellville mayor steps down from office to work on defense

For The (Sherman, Texas) Herald Democrat:

• Decisions about use of force go deeper than policy

• Lester Bower dies by lethal injection; victims' families say execution was 'past due'

• Local law enforcement gears up with body cameras

• Plans for Van Alstyne power plant being met with opposition

• Furniture store goes up in flames

• Gray found guilty of murder, sentenced to 90 years

• DA says pursuing death penalty would have been too costly in Taunton case; jury hands down two life sentences

• Jury finds Taunton guilty of murder

• After 64 years, one officer still wearing badge at 86

For the Dallas Morning News:

• Body found in abandoned car near Waco may be that of missing Fort Worth woman

• Dallas judge reduces sentence for burglar who spent 15 years on lam, fled again this spring

• Dallas’ Foster Grandparent Program pairs older adults with kids who need extra love