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As the Beast’s former lead reporter on COVID-19, Olivia has top epidemiologists on speed dial and has tirelessly covered super-spreaders, hot spots, shaky reopenings, and how this insanity could eventually end. She previously covered crime, breaking news, and politics. She has one eye on Texas at all times.

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opinion

The ‘Shameful’ End of a Crucial Texas Muckraker

‘EGO-DRIVEN TANTRUM’

It’s no exaggeration to say that without The Texas Observer, which will abruptly shut down this week, corruption will flourish in the Lone Star State.

Olivia Messer | Published Mar 27, 2023

She Only Has One Good Lung. She Can't Get the Vaccine.

HOLDING OUT HOPE

Americans with serious preconditions are stuck in the dark—and the panic is escalating.

Olivia Messer | Published Jan 16, 2021

The State Where ‘Connections’ Are King in Vaccine Hunt

Who Do You Know?

The vaccine process has been a disaster nationally, but some rollouts have gone worse than others.

Olivia Messer | Published Jan 14, 2021

The Absurd Ways Desperate Old People Are Getting Vaccines

Warp Speed?

Left to beg their younger relatives—or random strangers—for help, older Americans say the rollout is going even worse than you think.

Olivia Messer | Published Jan 13, 2021

CNN Reporter Breaks Down in Tears on Air Over COVID-19 Story

RELATABLE

“I’m going to try to get through this,” she sobbed. “This is the tenth hospital that I have been in.”

Olivia Messer | Published Jan 12, 2021

Is the South African COVID-19 Mutation a Vaccine Killer?

Hang Tight

The new variant is terrifying the British government. But is it really time to panic?

Olivia Messer | Published Jan 05, 2021

‘It’s Just Too Much’: Cops Raid Nashville Home After Bombing

NARROWING IN

A day after an RV blared a creepy warning and then detonated in downtown Nashville, investigators have reportedly narrowed in on a person of interest.

Olivia Messer, Rachel Louise Martin | Published Dec 26, 2020

Two Boys Who Slept by Their Xmas Tree Killed in House Fire

REST IN PEACE

“It’s unbelievable this is something to wake up to on Christmas,” their mom told a reporter after she was released from the hospital. “It’s just tragic.”

Olivia Messer | Published Dec 26, 2020

U.S. Took 46 Days to Make a COVID Test. Thailand Took Hours.

ANATOMY OF A FAILURE

The World Health Organization on Jan. 13 made public its recipe for a test to detect the coronavirus. Most countries deployed theirs in hours or days. It took us weeks.

Olivia Messer | Published Dec 26, 2020

Jon Ossoff Becomes Best-Funded Senate Candidate in History

GEORGIA ON MY MIND

The Democratic challenger has pulled in $106.7 million in his race against Georgia Sen. David Perdue, a Republican incumbent.

Olivia Messer | Published Dec 26, 2020

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