Rebecca Smith
Health ReporterRebecca Smith is an award-winning reporter and producer for the KBIA Health & Wealth Desk. Born and raised outside of Rolla, Missouri, she has a passion for diving into often overlooked issues that affect the rural populations of her state – especially stories that broaden people’s perception of “rural” life. She created a conversations-based journalism project, Missouri Health Talks, in 2016 that empowers people throughout the state to share their stories of access to healthcare – in their own words.
She has degrees in both Journalism and Chemistry from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, and often says health reporting is the perfect marriage of individual’s stories and reporting on science.
You can reach her at smithbecky@missouri.edu or 573-882-4824.
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On this month’s Socially Transmitted, KBIA's Rebecca Smith and Najifa Farhat take a look at pre- and probiotic sodas, such as Olipop, Poppi and Simply Pop, which claim to make you and your gut healthier. But what does the science actually show? -
The schools all use an education management tool called Canvas, which helps keep track of assignments, grades and other information. -
Baby Grace is an organization that provides diapers, wipes, children’s clothing and more to families in Fulton — for free. -
Research has shown that stable employment after incarceration dramatically reduces the likelihood of someone reoffending. One new program in Missouri is helping inmates gain valuable and employable skills — as licensed tattoo artists. -
North Star Advocacy Center is a domestic and sexual violence shelter based in Maryville and that serves the northwest corner of the state. -
The Safe House in Cape Girardeau provides safe shelter, case management, a 24-hour crisis hotline and more for people experiencing domestic violence throughout Southeast Missouri. -
Jennifer Maritza McCauley discusses her short story collection 'Neon Steel.' She will talk about the work more at Unbound Book Festival's Warp Speed Ahead: Nerd Culture and Literature panel. -
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 71% of pet owning women entering shelters reported that their abuser threatened or harmed family pets. -
You may have noticed lately in movies and shows that more cigarettes are popping up. And it seems that trend may not be limited to the screen. KBIA’s Rebecca Smith took a look at why Gen Z may be reaching more often for a cigarette. -
In 2024, domestic violence shelters across the state served nearly 55,000 people who were seeking emergency shelter, court advocacy, therapy and more.
