• ABOUT THE EDITOR
  • MY JOURNALISM PORTFOLIO
  • REBOOTING THE BASICS
  • LINKEDIN
  • CONTACT
  • PRIVACY POLICY

The Portfolio of LaReeca Rucker

The Portfolio of LaReeca Rucker

A name logo.
Menu
  • ABOUT THE EDITOR
  • MY JOURNALISM PORTFOLIO
  • REBOOTING THE BASICS
  • LINKEDIN
  • CONTACT
Close Menu
Cabra, a restaurant inside The Hoxton hotel.

California Cool Meets Old Hollywood Glam: A stay at The Hoxton, downtown Los Angeles

by journo

If you’ve ever wondered what it might feel like to spend the night somewhere between the golden glow of Old Hollywood and the laid-back, sun-drenched cool of modern California, allow me to introduce you to The Hoxton hotel in Downtown LA — a hotel that feels less like a place to crash and more like a glamorous friend’s impeccably designed pied-à-terre.

April 1, 2026
Comments 0
ART, BUSINESS, FASHION, FOOD, HISTORY, RESTAURANTS, TRAVEL

LATEST STORIES

Cabra, a restaurant inside The Hoxton hotel.
April 1, 2026

California Cool Meets Old Hollywood Glam: A stay at The Hoxton, downtown Los Angeles

If you’ve ever wondered what it might feel like to spend the night somewhere between the golden glow of...

by journo
Comments 0
The movie poster for "The Testament of Ann Lee." It features a picture of the actress who plays Ann Lee in costume reaching above her as part of dance.
April 1, 2026

The Testament of Ann Lee: Haunting Portrait of Shaker Devotion

I went into this film expecting a biographical thriller — something that would frame Ann Lee as an experimental...

by journo
Comments 0
The 2025 SJN Educator's Academy was held in Los Angeles. From Newswell.
July 27, 2025

Lessons Learned from the 2025 Solutions Journalism Academy

By the time our group gathered in the grand, historic lobby of the Herald Examiner Building in downtown Los...

by journo
Taylor Goode suffers from a seizure disorder, and doctors have sent him home as a hospice patient. His mother, Jennifer Potts, is interested in experimentally treating her son with cannabis oil, derived from marijuana, to see if it will improve his condition. A Mississippi law passed this year has enabled the creation of cannabis oil as a form of treatment for patients with seizure disorders. (Photo by LaReeca Rucker)
June 1, 2025

Taylor’s Oil: New Mississippi law could lead to experimental marijuana cannabis oil...

It has been three years since Taylor Goode has spoken to his mother — three years since she’s heard...

by journo
Lee McCarty, owner of McCartys Pottery in Merigold, stands in front of a wall of pottery.
May 1, 2025

Riches of Merigold

Jamie Smith grew up playing in clay at his aunt and uncle’s pottery shop in Merigold. “My first sculpture piece...

by journo
The population sign for the town of Elaine, Arkansas.
April 1, 2025

The Elaine Lynchings: A Visit to Elaine, Arkansas, 100 years after America’s...

Today, one year after the turmoil in Ferguson, Missouri, race riots sparked by alleged profiling, discrimination and police militarization...

by journo
A graphic illustrating a media exploration of the Lizzie Borden case.
March 1, 2025

Exploring the Lizzie Borden Case on Halloween

When the name Lizzie Borden comes up, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? If you’re like many,...

by journo
A graphic of a hand holding a phone with the TikTok logo on it.
March 1, 2025

The TikTok Debate: Digital Freedom Versus Data Dystopia

’ve been a TikTok user for a few years now, and while I enjoy it, my bio pretty much...

by journo

MISSISSIPPI

University of Mississippi (UM) students are being challenged to delve deeper into complex issues about the university and state thanks to a special Honors College class designed to explore important topics 60 years after James Meredith’s enrollment as UM’s first Black student.

Veteran Journalist Leads Special Honors College Class Exploring the University and State 60 Years after Meredith’s Enrollment

Published by journo

University of Mississippi (UM) students are being challenged to delve deeper into complex issues about the university and state thanks to a special Honors College class designed to explore...

December 1, 2024
CIVIL RIGHTS, EDUCATION, HISTORY, MISSISSIPPI, NEWS, OLE MISS, OXFORD
A white car at the scene of an accident.

We have freedom, but we’re not independent

Published by journo

I have been a journalist for 25 years. In fact, this year marks my 25th year of being in the journalism industry in some area, starting in college at...

July 10, 2017
FAITH, RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY, HEALTH & WELLNESS, HOLIDAYS, MISSISSIPPI, ODD, THOUGHTS

HOME DECOR

A Halloween party scene with Halloween-themed food.
October 29, 2017

Dining with fellow Munsters on Halloween

One year for Halloween, I decided to bring a little classic TV charm — and a dash of gothic...

by journo
A red robot ornament made of polymer clay.
December 16, 2016

My Christmas tree is filled with aliens, robots and monsters

Let’s be honest: the way you decorate your Christmas tree says a lot about you. It’s like a glittery,...

by journo
A Christmas-decorated fireplace.
December 7, 2016

Create a little magic in your life this Christmas with simple, elegant and...

It's that time of year again — the season when we're all gently nudged (or not-so-gently shoved by department...

by journo
Scarecrows for fall.
November 23, 2016

Scarecrow Shenanigans & Fall Porch Vibes: My love for autumn lawn decor

Okay, I’ll admit it: when it comes to holiday lawn decorations, I tend to go a little overboard. I'm...

by journo

LaReeca Rucker

A photo of LaReeca Rucker

LaReeca Rucker

LaReeca Rucker is a writer, reporter and adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Mississippi. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years, and she spent a decade of her career as a reporter at The Clarion-Ledger - Mississippi's largest daily newspaper - covering stories about crime, courts, city government, civil rights, social justice, religion, personality profiles, art, culture, lifestyles and entertainment for the print and web editions. While there, she was also a USA TODAY contributor.

Social links

  • ABOUT THE EDITOR
  • MY JOURNALISM PORTFOLIO
  • REBOOTING THE BASICS
  • LINKEDIN
  • CONTACT

THOUGHT FOR THE MOMENT

To live a creative life is to live consciously, intelligently and enthusiastically.

LaReeca Rucker

FOOD

Cabra, a restaurant inside The Hoxton hotel.
April 1, 2026

California Cool Meets Old Hollywood Glam: A stay at The Hoxton...

A Halloween party scene with Halloween-themed food.
October 29, 2017

Dining with fellow Munsters on Halloween

A gingerbread man.
December 26, 2016

Confessions of a Not-So-Great Baker: My gingerbread cookie...

Brent's Drugs in Fondren.
August 31, 2014

Blast from the Past: A visit to Brent’s Drugs in Fondren

Inside The Horseradish Grill restaurant.
August 11, 2014

Southern Charm & Flavor: A delicious night at Atlanta’s...

NEWS

The 2025 SJN Educator's Academy was held in Los Angeles. From Newswell.

Lessons Learned from the 2025 Solutions Journalism Academy

by journo

By the time our group gathered in the grand, historic lobby of the Herald Examiner Building in downtown Los Angeles for the official 2025 Solutions Journalism Educators Academy group photo, I realized something: This wasn’t just another academic conference where people politely sip coffee, nod a lot, and collect tote bags they’ll never use again.

July 27, 2025
BUSINESS, EDUCATION, NEWS

NEWS ARTICLES

The 2025 SJN Educator's Academy was held in Los Angeles. From Newswell.
July 27, 2025

Lessons Learned from the 2025 Solutions Journalism Academy

Taylor Goode suffers from a seizure disorder, and doctors have sent him home as a hospice patient. His mother, Jennifer Potts, is interested in experimentally treating her son with cannabis oil, derived from marijuana, to see if it will improve his condition. A Mississippi law passed this year has enabled the creation of cannabis oil as a form of treatment for patients with seizure disorders. (Photo by LaReeca Rucker)
June 1, 2025

Taylor’s Oil: New Mississippi law could lead to experimental...

Lee McCarty, owner of McCartys Pottery in Merigold, stands in front of a wall of pottery.
May 1, 2025

Riches of Merigold

The population sign for the town of Elaine, Arkansas.
April 1, 2025

The Elaine Lynchings: A Visit to Elaine, Arkansas, 100 years...

A graphic of a hand holding a phone with the TikTok logo on it.
March 1, 2025

The TikTok Debate: Digital Freedom Versus Data Dystopia

Meet Hume AI’s Empathic Voice Interface (EVI), a system designed to hear what you say and understand how you feel. You can try it by visiting the Hume AI website.
February 1, 2025

AI With Empathy: How Hume AI’s Voice Interface is Redefining...

Peace can be built from above by people who have power, but it can also be built from below. This was one of the key messages in a lecture given by Dr. Henrik Syse, a research professor from the Peace Research Institute in Oslo who teaches peace and conflict studies at Bjørknes University College.
January 1, 2025

Professor from Oslo’s Peace Research Institute Speaks with...

University of Mississippi (UM) students are being challenged to delve deeper into complex issues about the university and state thanks to a special Honors College class designed to explore important topics 60 years after James Meredith’s enrollment as UM’s first Black student.
December 1, 2024

Veteran Journalist Leads Special Honors College Class...

Rob Robinson donated a kidney to Gillian Alexander.
August 16, 2013

Entertaining angels: Mississippi man donates kidney to man he...

A Ridgeland Ad Agency dressed like "Mad Men" characters.
June 11, 2012

Ridgeland’s own Mad Men weigh in on the show that made...

TRAVEL

Cabra, a restaurant inside The Hoxton hotel.
ART, BUSINESS, FASHION, FOOD, HISTORY, RESTAURANTS, TRAVEL

California Cool Meets Old Hollywood Glam: A stay at The Hoxton, downtown Los Angeles

If you’ve ever wondered what it might feel like to spend the night somewhere between the golden glow of Old Hollywood and the laid-back, sun-drenched cool of modern California,...

April 1, 2026
Comments 0
Longwood mansion in Natchez.
HORROR & THRILLER MOVIES, MISSISSIPPI, TELEVISION, TRAVEL

Touring Longwood: A Glimpse Into gothic grandeur and Southern shadows

There’s something hauntingly interesting about old places — stories frozen in time. That’s exactly the feeling I had standing on the front lawn of Longwood, the grandest and most...

October 25, 2014
The Cotton Alley Cafe in Natchez.
TRAVEL

Go on a journey through Natchez, Mississippi

A video of my first trip to Natchez.

October 25, 2014
Inside Gibbes' Old Counry Store near Raymond, Mississippi.
ANTIQUE & VINTAGE, BUSINESS, FOOD, MISSISSIPPI, RESTAURANTS, TRAVEL

A Taste of the Past: Gibbes Old Country Store serves up history and hearty Southern fare

There’s something deeply comforting about dining in a place that feels like it belongs to another time — where the walls tell stories and the food tastes like it...

August 9, 2014
The Southern Living cookbook Second Helpings.
BOOKS, FOOD, MISSISSIPPI, RESTAURANTS, TRAVEL

From Gulfport to Greenwood, new Southern Living cookbook features Mississippi restaurants

A new cookbook featuring Mississippi restaurants is now on the shelves. "Southern Living Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings" is a travel guide/cookbook that takes you on a journey...

August 16, 2013

CRAFTS

A monogrammed bracelet crafted from silver spoons.
December 4, 2017

Holiday Sparkle and Spoon Bracelets: A craft fair adventure in Oxford

There’s something magical about a holiday craft fair — the twinkling lights, the scent of cinnamon in the air,...

by journo
A Halloween party scene with Halloween-themed food.
October 29, 2017

Dining with fellow Munsters on Halloween

One year for Halloween, I decided to bring a little classic TV charm — and a dash of gothic...

by journo
A gingerbread man.
December 26, 2016

Confessions of a Not-So-Great Baker: My gingerbread cookie adventure

If you’ve been scrolling through my social media lately (unlikely), you might assume I’m a culinary goddess whipping up...

by journo
A red robot ornament made of polymer clay.
December 16, 2016

My Christmas tree is filled with aliens, robots and monsters

Let’s be honest: the way you decorate your Christmas tree says a lot about you. It’s like a glittery,...

by journo
A Christmas-decorated fireplace.
December 7, 2016

Create a little magic in your life this Christmas with simple, elegant and...

It's that time of year again — the season when we're all gently nudged (or not-so-gently shoved by department...

by journo
Scarecrows for fall.
November 23, 2016

Scarecrow Shenanigans & Fall Porch Vibes: My love for autumn lawn decor

Okay, I’ll admit it: when it comes to holiday lawn decorations, I tend to go a little overboard. I'm...

by journo
A creative vanity created by a crafter.
November 20, 2016

Yard Sale of the Vanities: Treasure hunting in Coffeeville

A while back, I was driving through Coffeeville on my way back from Jackson, and I stopped at a...

by journo
Lee McCarty, owner of McCartys Pottery in Merigold, stands in front of a wall of pottery.
September 8, 2015

Mr. McCarty’s Gift: Remembering Lee McCarty and a Delta dream

The recent passing of Mississippi treasure Lee McCarty stirred up memories of one unforgettable day I spent in Merigold...

by journo

FILMS

The movie poster for "The Testament of Ann Lee." It features a picture of the actress who plays Ann Lee in costume reaching above her as part of dance.
April 1, 2026

The Testament of Ann Lee: Haunting Portrait of Shaker Devotion

A graphic featuring thriller and horror movie posters.
October 5, 2018

Thrills, Chills, and Mind-Bending Twists: A genre-busting...

A collection of thriller movie posters.
October 28, 2017

Brains Over Blood: A thriller fan’s guide to smart scares

January 18, 2017

Thrilling thoughts about ‘Black Mirror’ and real &...

A Star Wars movie poster graphic.
December 24, 2015

Awakening the Force Within: What Star Wars taught me about...

A TV screen with a creepy image on it.
November 1, 2014

40+ under-the-radar psychological thrillers and scary good...

CATEGORIES

  • ANIMALS
  • ANTIQUE & VINTAGE
  • ART
  • BOOKS
  • BUSINESS
  • CELEBRITIES
  • CIVIL RIGHTS
  • CRAFTS
  • EDUCATION
  • FAITH, RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
  • FASHION
  • FILMS
  • FOOD
  • GARDENING
  • HALLOWEEN
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • HISTORY
  • HOLIDAYS
  • HOME DECOR
  • HORROR & THRILLER MOVIES
  • MISSISSIPPI
  • MUSIC
  • NATURE
  • NEWS
  • ODD
  • OLE MISS
  • OXFORD
  • PETS
  • RESTAURANTS
  • SCIENCE
  • SPORTS
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • TELEVISION
  • THOUGHTS
  • THRIFTING
  • TRAVEL

RECENT QUOTE

"One small positive action can change the course of your entire life."

Anonymous

Search the Site

Recent Posts

  • California Cool Meets Old Hollywood Glam: A stay at The Hoxton, downtown Los Angeles
  • The Testament of Ann Lee: Haunting Portrait of Shaker Devotion
  • Lessons Learned from the 2025 Solutions Journalism Academy
  • Taylor’s Oil: New Mississippi law could lead to experimental marijuana cannabis oil treatment for children plagued with seizure disorders
  • Riches of Merigold
  • The Elaine Lynchings: A Visit to Elaine, Arkansas, 100 years after America’s deadliest race riot
  • Exploring the Lizzie Borden Case on Halloween
  • The TikTok Debate: Digital Freedom Versus Data Dystopia

Education Blog: Rebooting the Basics

A Halloween Journalism Lesson: Witch Hunts, Gossip and the Truth

A Halloween Journalism Lesson: Witch Hunts, Gossip and the Truth

Flip the Script: Lessons from the Solutions Journalism Educators Academy

Flip the Script: Lessons from the Solutions Journalism Educators Academy
CONTACT ME
LEARN MORE
READ MY BLOG
DMCA.com Protection Status

This website is DCMA protected. © The Portfolio of LaReeca Rucker, 2014-2025. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited.

  • Instagram
  • WordPress
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok

ANTIQUE & VINTAGE ART best horror films best horror movies best scary movies best thrillers BOOKS Christmas CIVIL RIGHTS CRAFTS decorating design EDUCATION FAITH FASHION featured FILMS FOOD HEALTH & WELLNESS HISTORY HOLIDAYS HOME DECOR horror Jim Henson journalism MISSISSIPPI movies MUSIC NATURE NEWS OLE MISS OXFORD RELIGION RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY RESTAURANTS retro SCIENCE SPIRITUALITY TECHNOLOGY TELEVISION THOUGHTS THRIFTING thrillers TRAVEL WELLNESS

LaReeca Rucker

A photo of LaReeca Rucker

LaReeca Rucker is a writer, reporter and adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Mississippi. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years, and she spent a decade of her career as a reporter at The Clarion-Ledger - Mississippi's largest daily newspaper - covering stories about crime, courts, city government, civil rights, social justice, religion, personality profiles, art, culture, lifestyles and entertainment for the print and web editions. While there, she was also a USA TODAY contributor.

The Portfolio of LaReeca Rucker

Follow Us

  • JOURNALISM
  • INSTAGRAM
  • LINKEDIN
  • Powered by WordPress.com.
 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.