Maya Miller
I’m a reporter at ProPublica working on community-sourced investigations.
Have a Tip for a Story?
If you have been through an experience that you think should be investigated, don’t hesitate to reach out. Documents, photos or videos can be especially helpful for me to review when reporting out a story.
What I Cover
I’m an investigative reporter who works with communities to uncover what’s really going on behind their experiences. I mostly cover issues and stories related to health and the environment. I speak and can report in Spanish.
My Background
Since joining ProPublica in 2019, I have reported on the health impacts of air quality and the ins and outs of the health insurance industry, examined aggressive medical debt collection practices, and investigated evictions and cities’ approaches to homelessness. I’ve worked with residents to monitor air quality and to collect real-time reactions to air pollution, and I’ve worked with patients to crowdsource health insurance denials and medical bills.
The impact of this journalism includes state lawmakers introducing bills to address health insurance denials and evictions that can lead to criminal chargers, companies changing course on medical debt collection practices, health insurance denials and air quality controls, and federal regulators launching investigations.
This work, done in collaboration with colleagues, has been recognized as a Pulitzer Prize finalist and honored with multiple Gather Awards in Engaged Journalism and Gerald Loeb Awards, among others.
Hay humo todos los años. Las compañías azucareras dicen que el aire es saludable.
Para cosechar más de la mitad de la caña de azúcar de Estados Unidos, empresas multimillonarias prenden fuego a los cañaverales, una práctica para ahorrar dinero que está prohibida por otros países. Algunos residentes dicen que les cuesta respirar, así que comenzamos a estudiar la calidad del aire.
Local Reporting Network
Sugar Companies Said Our Investigation Is Flawed and Biased. Let’s Dive Into Why That’s Not the Case.
ProPublica and The Palm Beach Post published an investigation into the air quality in Florida’s heartland, where more than half the country’s cane sugar is harvested, often by burning the fields. Sugar companies challenged our reporting. We respond.
Local Reporting Network
There’s Only One State Where Falling Behind on Rent Could Mean Jail Time. That Could Change.
Only Arkansas permits criminal consequences for nonpayment of rent — and it has enforced the law during the pandemic. Now, after ProPublica investigated the practice, some legislators want to revoke the statute.
A Deputy Prosecutor Was Fired for Speaking Out Against Jail Time for People Who Fall Behind on Rent
Arkansas prosecutor Josh Drake called the state’s criminal eviction statute “cruel” and “unconstitutional.” Criminal charges against tenants falling behind on rent have continued, even as the pandemic has worsened.
When Falling Behind on Rent Leads to Jail Time
Evictions in Arkansas can snowball from criminal charges to arrests to jail time because of a 119-year-old law that mostly impacts female, Black and low-income renters. Even prosecutors have called it unconstitutional.
Arkansas: My Landlord Is Trying to Kick Me Out. What Can I Do?
If you live in Arkansas and are worried about being evicted, you’re not alone. Our reporting revealed thousands have been forced into the confusing legal process during the pandemic. Here’s how it works — and what you can do.
Community Storytelling Is Informing Our Coverage of Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services. Share Your Story.
Journalists have not always brought people with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the conversation. We’re trying to change that with our investigation into Arizona’s disability services. But we need your help.
Local Reporting Network
She Needed Lifesaving Medication, but the Only Hospital in Town Did Not Have It
Mabel Garcia went to the only emergency room in Texas County, Oklahoma, which didn’t have a drug for heart attacks and strokes. She was airlifted to a larger hospital that gave her the drug she needed, but it was too late. She suffered brain damage.
Local Reporting Network
What’s Your Experience With Intellectual and Developmental Disability Care in Arizona?
The Arizona Daily Star and ProPublica are investigating services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Here's how people with disabilities, their families, friends, caregivers, teachers and medical providers can help.
Local Reporting Network
Arizonans: Share Your Story About Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at our Virtual Event
The Arizona Daily Star and ProPublica want to hear about your experiences with intellectual and developmental disabilities services. Join storytelling coaches, journalists and the Detour Company Theatre on July 8 to get involved.
Local Reporting Network