Karen Rouse

Journalist and Writer in Manhattan, New York

Read my articles

Hello, and thank you for visiting my page. I am Karen Rouse, a digital and audio journalist based in New York City.

I mostly cover government and politics, which means I write a lot about the tensions between people and policy. Many of those stories illustrate the problems people experience when they don't have power, or someone to advocate for them -- like a lawyer to keep them from getting evicted from their apartment, or to help them get a plea deal that keeps them out of jail -- and the system they're up against.

I like telling stories that resonate with people, that make my readers or listeners say, "Oh, that happened to me," or capture the zeitgeist of the moment.

I love being a journalist because we represent the highest form of Democracy; you don't need wealth, fame or power to get access us. You just have to have a story.

My roots are in newspapers. I've written for The Denver Post, The New York Times, Bergen Record, and The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. You can also find me on NPR and, occasionally offering political commentary on NJTV or The Brian Lehrer Show.

My other passions are cooking for anyone who finds their way to my cozy kitchen, tinkering in my rose garden, reading, and mentoring aspiring journalists.

  • Work
    • WNYC, New York Public Radio
  • Education
    • Rutgers University