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 May 21
How George Floyd’s image became an icon for artists and helped communities mournNext week marks the anniversary of George Floyd's killing in Minneapolis. His death at the hands of police touched off global protests and a worldwide artistic response. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports from Minneapolis for our series, "Race…
Nation May 19
How colorism haunts dark-skinned immigrant communitiesThe death of George Floyd last year has shone a spotlight on what it means to be Black, and especially, to be dark-skinned in America. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro has our report from Minnesota, home to a growing…
Arts May 13
The artist behind a George Floyd mural reflects on how it became a ‘ubiquitous icon’Peyton Scott Russell's black-and-white mural of George Floyd's face became an iconic image amid the protests against racial injustice. The artist talks about how the large artwork came together and his mixed feelings about the global attention the mural received.
World May 06
Indian doctors in the US have deep ties to India. Here’s how they’re helping from afarAs India suffers through a devastating surge in COVID-19 infections, the 4.2 million members of the Indian diaspora in the U.S. are stricken with panic, pain and grief. Many are volunteering to help. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports…
Nation Apr 15
Derek Chauvin refuses to testify as murder trial heads into closing argumentsThe trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with murder in the death of George Floyd last May, is nearing its conclusion. The trial is being watched closely all around the country and internationally. The defense finished…
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…