Amy Koczera: Strategic Writer & Storyteller

Category: News & Features

This section highlights my work in journalism and news, reporting on breaking news, community issues, public policy, and cultural stories with accuracy and integrity. These clips span print, digital, and on-air formats, and reflect years of experience producing impactful stories under deadline pressure.

  • Congressman Arrington holds press conference at Covenant Health to discuss healthcare reform

    Congressman Arrington holds press conference at Covenant Health to discuss healthcare reform

    LUBBOCK, Texas — Congressman Jodey Arrington met with leaders from Covenant Health Tuesday to discuss vaccine distribution and health care legislation.

    The legislation would help rural hospitals continue fighting the pandemic while addressing the specific needs of their communities, without having to adhere to costly government mandates.

    “Rural health care is, was experiencing a crisis before COVID–40 percent of rural providers were operating at a net loss,” said Arrington during a news conference.

    Now, thanks to legislation passed in the last session, we’re already on the path to improvement.

    Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published January 26, 2021.

  • President Joe Biden signs to rejoin Paris Climate Accord, West Texas politicians, experts react

    President Joe Biden signs to rejoin Paris Climate Accord, West Texas politicians, experts react

    LUBBOCK, Texas — On his first day in office, President Joe Biden fulfilled a longtime campaign promise – signing on to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord. Climate scientist and Texas Tech professor Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, along with 19th Congressional District Congressman Jodey Arrington spoke on Thursday about what this could mean for the people of West Texas. 

    “The cost to our country, to our economy to jobs, and to regions like West Texas, would be tremendous,” said Congressman Arrington. “They’re going to get higher energy prices. We’re going to lose jobs in West Texas and rural communities like West Texas, and it’s going to compromise our energy independence, which is a pillar of our nation’s security.”

    However, scientists like Dr. Hayhoe explained how the potential changes that could come from this won’t be as damaging as some might think.

    Read the full article published on everythinglubbock.com on January 21, 2021.

  • Lubbock receives first shipment of Moderna vaccines, more to arrive next week

    Lubbock receives first shipment of Moderna vaccines, more to arrive next week

    LUBBOCK, Texas — On Monday, the city of Lubbock received 17,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine. These will be distributed to the remaining health care workers as a part of Phase 1A the state’s vaccine distribution plan.

    “It just felt so great. It felt like we were turning a corner,” said Lubbock Director of Public Health, Katherine Wells, a vaccine recipient herself.

    The city health department received 1,000 doses of the vaccine. They set up a mass clinic at the Civic Center to get front-line workers and first responders vaccinated.

    “I really expect those 1000 doses to be gone by tomorrow,” said Wells. “We have five or six home health agencies that are coming in hospice. Some of our community clinic workers have been through there today.”

    Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published December 28, 2020.