Laura Arenas

I am a third-year student at Carleton University, pursuing a double major in Honors Journalism and Humanities. 

About Me

I am a Colombian–Canadian journalist, passionate about community issues and local advocacy. I also have an interest in mental health and addiction related news. My work has been published in Capital Current, Ottawa Citizen and CBC Ottawa. 

ottawacitizen •

'It’s like seeing an old friend' as snow bears return to the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail 

Maggie Glossop is a semi-retired artist who creates the bears in the Kitchissippi Woods. The charming snow bears along the Kitchi Sibi winter trail are back for this season despite the weather conditions that make it difficult for snow bear making. Photo by JEAN LEVAC /POSTMEDIAArticle contentThe beloved snow bears are back along the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail, delighting skiers, snowshoers and walkers in the Kitchissippi woods.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the...
ottawacitizen •

Ottawa's 'Trusty Thrifter' uses her passion to support women's education

Teresa McCrory (left) has turned her passion for thrifting into a fundraising effort for the CFUW Nepean Scholarship Trust. The trust helps provide scholarships and bursaries for women in science and technology, as well as Indigenous students. She's pictured here with Carole Baker (centre), President of CFUW Nepean, and Kathy Greiner, chair of the scholarship trust. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /POSTMEDIAArticle contentWhen Teresa McCrory moved to Ottawa from Montreal last year, she was looking for way...
ottawacitizen •

Freezing rain warning ended Monday, high-wind advisory also ends

Environment Canada had forecast as much as 15 to 20 mm of ice build-up from the storm. The freezing rain transitioned to light drizzle later in the morning.Article contentWhile Toronto saw an estimated 37 mm of ice accumulation, Ottawa experienced a much lighter coating, with just 3 to 6 mm of ice, according to Trudy Kidd, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.Article contentThe weather service issued a second advisory that strong winds were expected later Monday with gusts as h...
ottawacitizen •

Development is swallowing up Ottawa's tree canopy and a new zoning bylaw won't help, say advocates

Mireille Trent, OSEAN volunteer, wants to protect the corridor near McCarthy Woods from development. Photo by TONY CALDWELL /POSTMEDIAArticle contentOttawa’s plan to grow its tree canopy has failed to take root, and local environmental advocates fear a new zoning bylaw won’t help.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited digital access to the Ottawa Citizen.Analysis on all things Ottawa by Bruce Deachman, Elizabet...
ottawacitizen •

Rideau Street McDonald's reopens by honouring predecessor's viral raccoon

Holly’s Haven Wildlife Rescue will be the benefactor of the wackier moments in the often sordid past of the previous Rideau Street McDonald’s, the site of many late-night disturbances before its closure two years ago.Article contentThere, a raccoon became a sensation when a video emerged of a brawl at the 24-hour fast-food joint. In the middle of the clip, a man with a cigarette dangling from his lips can be seen at the edge of the frame, where he, inexplicably, pulls a baby racco...
ottawacitizen •

With speed cameras gone, Ottawa police launch new traffic patrols

Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs (L) and Deputy Chief Steve Bell during a budget presentation held at the Ottawa City Hall last month. Photo by JEAN LEVAC /POSTMEDIAArticle contentOttawa police are rolling out new district traffic units to address growing concerns over speeding and road safety across the city.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited digital access to the Ottawa Citizen.Analysis on all things Ottawa...
The Charlatan, Carleton's independent newspaper •

Queer open mic night offers belonging during Carleton Pride week - The Charlatan, Carleton's independent newspaper

Under the warm, dim light of Rooster’s Coffeehouse, waves of finger snaps and cheers filled the air at a queer open mic night that welcomed student artists to share their work.
The Carleton Poetic Society hosted the event on Thursday in collaboration with the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) as part of the school’s Pride Week festivities. 
CUSA vice-president (student life), Cass Geddes, a fourth-year developmental psychology student, reached out to the Poetic Society to organize...
Capital Current •

Advocates fight breast cancer care gaps for Black women in Ottawa

Every morning for two weeks, Anthonette Jacob arrived at The Ottawa Hospital General Campus at 8 a.m. for 15 minutes of radiation treatment for breast cancer. Then she went straight to the African, Caribbean & Black Wellness Resource Centre (ACB) that she had founded, turning her recovery into a mission to help others heal.


Jacob founded the ACB Wellness Centre in 2021. By the following year, she had completed 15 radiation rounds and begun a five-year course of hormone therapy.


“At that ti...
Capital Current •

Meet Mathieu Grondin, Ottawa's first "Night Mayor."

In this series of short profiles, Capital Current introduces key persons of influence in the city to the community.


Born and raised in Montreal, Mathieu Grondin was hired 15 months ago as Ottawa’s first Nightlife Commissioner. The City of Ottawa says he’s also the first person to hold this type of position in Canada.


Before being hired as Ottawa’s first “Night Mayor,” Grondin had a 20-year acting career in TV film and theatre that began early at age five.


In 2017, he founded MTL 24/24 a...
The Charlatan, Carleton's independent newspaper •

Community comes together for Take Back the Night march

This story contains mention of sexual violence. Those in need of support can call the Ottawa Distress Centre Crisis Line: 613-238-3311, the Sexual Assault Support Center of Ottawa Crisis Line: 613-234-2266 or the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre Line: 613-562-2333.
With signs raised high and chants echoing through the cityscape, hundreds of protesters gathered in Minto Park in Ottawa to begin the 46th annual Take Back the Night march in support of survivors of sexual violence on Sept. 19.
The theme of...
Capital Current •

University students under 'stress' as rent prices increase rapidly - Capital Current

The cost of rent in Canada has risen 5.2 per cent since October 2024, well above the overall inflation rate of 2.2 per cent, Capital Current’s analysis of data Statistics Canada data shows.


That is hard to manage for anyone who rents but for university students it can been very difficult. For this cohort, low-cost, short-term rental units are vital.


The current lack of affordable accommodation has prompted the Carleton University Students’ Association to prepare and issue a report that cal...

Stories produced for CBC Ottawa