Before her time at Gulf Coast Media, environmental reporter Gabriella Chavez was part of a student journalism team behind "The Price of Paradise," a five-part project that received two 2026 National Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association.

The project earned the Excellence in Digital Reporting Student Award and the Digital Award in the Small Market Radio category.

Created by students at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications and WUFT, "The Price of Paradise" examined Costa Rica's tourism industry, including the effects of government policies and the growing influx of tourists on local residents.

The National Edward R. Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious honors in broadcast and digital journalism, recognizing work that demonstrates the highest standards of journalism.

Chavez contributed to the project while a student at the University of Florida before joining GCM as a Report for America corps member.

To learn more about her work at GCM, go to www.gulfcoastmedia.com/support.