Mary Staes

Mary Staes is Digital Content Lead for Very Local. She works with our freelancers and crafts content for our social media platforms and website. Before Very Local, she worked with CBS affiliate WWL-TV as a web producer and weekend assignment editor for about 4 years. She has also handled broadcast coverage for 160 Marine Reserve training facilities while she served as an active duty Marine. As a native New Orleanian, she takes being "very local" to heart. She loves being intertwined with the culture and figuring out how there are less than two degrees of separation between us all, whether we're natives or not.

Hometown Tragedy: The Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders

By Mary Staes / July 1, 2024

As Girl Scouts at Camp Scott settle into their tents one evening, eerie footsteps and distant cries haunt the campers throughout the night. The unsettling sounds turn out to be the echos one of the largest murder investigations in Oklahoma’s history.

Getting around the dreaded ‘box’ during Mardi Gras

By Mary Staes / February 12, 2024

It’s the black hole of Carnival season, literally.

The Disappearance of Maura Murray

Hometown Tragedy: The Mystery of Maura Murray

By Mary Staes / October 20, 2023

Known as one of the first cases of the digital age, the mysterious disappearance of Maura Murray continues to confound investigators and internet sleuths.

Blind Kitchen New Orleans on Very Local

Celebrate International Chefs Day with a very New Orleans cooking show

By Mary Staes / October 20, 2022

Thursday, Oct. 20 is International Chefs Day 2022. Celebrate on the sofa by binge watching our local chefs on “Blind Kitchen: New Orleans.”

sacramento foodies

Here are the Sacramento foodies you need to follow on social media

By Mary Staes / October 6, 2022

Whether you need family night ideas or date dining options, here are the best Sacramento foodies trying everything the city has to offer.

Here are the Sacramento real estate social accounts you need to follow

By Mary Staes / September 29, 2022

Looking for rehab inspiration? New homes on the market? Historical houses? We’ve got the real estate accounts you should follow on social media.

EPS Lincoln New Hampshire

Eat Play Stay: Lincoln, New Hampshire

By Mary Staes / September 6, 2022

A classic mountain showdown has this hopping ski town divided. But everyone agrees that no matter which mountain reigns supreme, this four-season hot spot offers great food, bucolic retreats, and a whole new view on the great outdoors.

Labor Day events in New Orleans

By Mary Staes / August 31, 2022

Officially say farewell to summer and hello to a long weekend of Labor Day events in the Crescent City.

‘We The Culture’ aims to tell New Orleanian’s stories in an authentic voice

By Mary Staes / August 19, 2022

It’s a time warp into the 90’s with the spice of the city’s present culture, and it’s spearheaded by House of the Young Entertainment.

Stitch Animals

Stitch: Animals

By Mary Staes / August 12, 2022

In this episode of Stitch, see how animals contribute to our lives through giving support, connection, and companionship