About Natalie

Hi, I’m Natalie Demaree, a multimedia journalist based in New York City seeking to create beauty and understanding through empathetic reporting on the complexities and nuances of this world. I was drawn to my work out of a love for people, curiosity of culture and brokenness over injustice.

What I cover

I’m interested in a lot of things, but I often find myself drifting toward stories about faith, politics, art and — if I’m lucky — how all these themes intertwine. I enjoy digging into how faith mobilizes people to create, whether it be a movement, a painting or policy.

My background

I’ve written about religion, politics, education, contemporary art and social justice issues for a variety of publications, including the Miami Herald, Facing South, Covering Religion, the Midtown Gazette and Hill Magazine.

Since joining McClatchy News in 2024, I’ve covered more than 60 stories about faith, including religion in the 2024 election, the conclave to elect Pope Leo XIV and religious lawsuits involving the Trump administration.

I’m a graduate of the University of Arkansas, and I have a master’s from the Columbia Journalism School. I’m originally from Missouri but spent most of my life in Bentonville, Arkansas — aside from a brief stint in France — before moving to New York.