Mary Beth Gahan is a freelance journalist based in Dallas-Fort Worth. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Texas Monthly and Texas Highways. Before freelancing, she was a staff writer for The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va. for 5 years.

She has more than a decade of experience covering breaking news events like the Allen outlet mall mass shooting and Colleyville synagogue hostage situation, writing feature stories about interesting Texans and putting the spotlight on under-the-radar trends like the ongoing destruction of the tallgrass prairie.

She also writes travel stories about little-known spots in Texas and parenting articles about issues she faces as a mother.