Jayati Ramakrishnan

Reporter Jayati Ramakrishnan joined the Hermiston Herald and East Oregonian on Monday as a reporter in the Hermiston office.

She will cover education and public safety for the two publications, as well as general assignment duties.

Ramakrishnan comes to Eastern Oregon after spending two years as a reporter at the biweekly Curry Coastal Pilot in Brookings, the southernmost town on the Oregon Coast. She has covered education, ports, city and county government and worked as a copy editing assistant. She also enjoyed writing feature stories and profiles of the town’s residents.

After two years on the coast, Ramakrishnan wanted to broaden her experience and learn about the issues in a different part of the state. She was drawn to Umatilla County for its proximity to the Columbia River and its plethora of hiking opportunities.

A lifelong Oregonian, Ramakrishnan was born in Portland and graduated from the University of Oregon in Eugene, studying journalism and psychology. She said is eager to explore a new part of her home state, and get used to the extreme weather.

“I like the idea of getting to be a true Oregonian,” she said. “I’ve experienced urban and coastal Oregon, but there’s much more to see in this state. I’m looking forward to the new adventure.”

Ramakrishnan fills the position most recently held by Alexa Lougee, who accepted a teaching position with Umatilla School District earlier this fall. Ramakrishnan can be reached by email at jramakrishnan@hermistonherald.com or by phone at 541-564-4534.