About Fred
Fred de Sam Lazaro is director of the Under-Told Stories Project at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, a program that combines international journalism and teaching. He has served with the PBS NewsHour since 1985 and is a regular contributor and substitute anchor for PBS' Religion and Ethics Newsweekly.
He also has directed films from India and the Democratic Republic of Congo for the documentary series Wide Angle. Fred has reported from more than 60 countries: from Haiti to sub-Saharan Africa to south Asia. He has focused on stories that are under-reported in the mainstream U.S. media. In addition to regularly covering AIDS, public health concerns, development issues and social entrepreneurship, he led the first American crew to report on the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region.
Fred is the recipient of two honorary doctorates, numerous journalism awards and media fellowships from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the University of Michigan. He serves on the board of Minnpost and was a trustee at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, his alma mater. He also has served on the boards of the Asian American Journalists Association and the Children's Law Center of Minnesota.
Fred’s Recent Stories
Nation Apr 13
Minnesota on edge following the police killing of Daunte WrightThe death of George Floyd and the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin has kept the state of Minnesota in the national spotlight. Now the death of Daunte Wright near Minneapolis has led to new protests and opened long-standing…
Nation Apr 12
George Floyd’s brother remembers him as a caring ‘leader’ in Chauvin trial testimonyIn the Derek Chauvin trial Monday, prosecutors wrapped up their case, with jurors hearing testimony from George Floyd's brother about Floyd's character, and his role as a "leader" in the family. Special correspondent Fred De Sam Lazaro reports.
Nation Apr 09
Medical examiner doubles down on original autopsy finding, labels Floyd’s death a homicideFriday was a closely watched day in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer charged with the murder of George Floyd. It featured key testimony about what led to Floyd's death from medical examiner Dr. Andrew Baker, who…
Nation Apr 09
Meat-packing plants were the earliest COVID hotspots, but vaccinating workers isn’t easyWorkers in meatpacking factories and livestock farms that supply them are among the hardest hit by COVID-19. Nationwide, at least 50,000 meatpackers have been infected and some 250 lost their lives. But things may finally be looking better for them.
Nation Apr 08
Floyd died from lack of oxygen, not drugs, medical expert testifiesProsecutors began the ninth day of the Derek Chauvin trial with testimony from pulmonologist Dr. Martin Tobin. After showing prepared illustrations and photos of the events, Tobin concluded that Chauvin’s knee on George Floyd’s neck caused narrowing of the hypopharynx…
Nation Apr 05
Chauvin’s actions were in ‘no way, shape, or form’ part of protocol, police chief saysThe Derek Chauvin trial resumed Monday, with the prosecution arguing the former Minneapolis police officers' use of force did not follow protocol. The city's chief of police testified on the matter. Special correspondent Fred De Sam Lazaro has our report…
Nation Apr 01
Floyd’s girlfriend gives tear-filled testimony of his life on Day 4 of Chauvin trialProsecutors continued to lay out their case on day four of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with second and third degree murder and manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd last May. Jurors…
Nation Mar 19
Jury selection in Chauvin trial nears conclusion days after Floyd family’s settlementJury selection in the trial of Derek Chauvin the former Minneapolis police officer accused of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, neared conclusion Friday — the same week as Floyd's family reached a $27 million settlement with…
Nation Mar 05
Minneapolis on edge as the trial in the police killing of George Floyd approachesThe trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is set to begin soon. Chauvin is accused of murder in last May’s killing of George Floyd -- a death that set off nationwide unrest. As special correspondent Fred de Sam…
Nation Feb 19
Health officials try to rebuild trust of vaccines among Indigenous AmericansNative Americans have been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, but a history of medical mistreatment has led some Indigenous leaders to brace for challenges in vaccinating their communities. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on those…