Jessalin-Heins-Nagamoto-Headshot-LAL

Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto

Assistant Managing Editor

Jessalin is based in Brooklyn, NY and holds Masters’ from the University of Colorado and The New School. She loves walking her chihuahuas in Prospect Park and hunting for the perfect brunch.

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Painting of the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, showing Mexican soldiers in traditional uniforms charging against French forces on horseback and foot, amid smoke and cannon fire, with a backdrop of mountains and a fortification.
City
Who was General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín and what were his ties to San Antonio?
General Seguín was a key figure in the Battle of Puebla, but did you know he had family in San Antonio?
May 2, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
A heap of tomatoes and vegetation in a dark brown wooden bin outside.
Travel and Outdoors
The beginner’s guide to composting in Indianapolis
We’re answering questions like “What is composting?” and “How do I compost in an apartment?”
April 29, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
The Sunsphere, a golden ball on top of a green structure, over several buildings in Knoxville
City
Why is Knoxville known as the Scruffy City?
Okay, maybe you already know that the name comes from a disparaging comment from the Wall Street Journal about the World’s Fair. But how did the name take off? And are we keeping it scruffy enough?
April 29, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
nooga skyline
Culture

What do locals really call things in Chattanooga?
Be real with us — does anyone really call it Nooga?
April 23, 2025
 · 
Brianna Williams
NOOGAtoday | Chattanooga Convention Center
Events
IBMA Bluegrass Live! calls Chattanooga its new home
Peep the lineup for this incredible bluegrass festival.
April 23, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Woman duct taping a box closed at a food drive.
Play
35+ volunteer opportunities in and around Columbia
Support Columbia causes year-round — from mentoring youth to rescuing pets, river cleanups, or helping from home.
April 21, 2025
 · 
Samantha Robertson
A young smiling woman wearing a flower garland is elbow deep in bunches of flowers at the Folk and Fairy Festival.
Events
Don your wings for the Fairy & Folk Festival
The Fairy & Folk Festival returns May 24-25 at Audubon Acres.
April 21, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Four colorful compost bins sit near a fence with City of Richmond signage.
Travel and Outdoors
The beginner’s guide to composting in Richmond
We’re answering questions like “What is composting?” and “How do I compost without a backyard space?”
April 21, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A woman in a green jacket measuring a compost pile with a thermometer under a metal roof. She appears focused, with firewood stacked nearby.
Travel and Outdoors
The beginner’s guide to composting in Chattanooga
We’re answering questions like “What is composting?” and “How do I compost in an apartment?”
April 21, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Vintage photograph of Muroran Port in Hokkaido, Japan, around 1900, showing wooden buildings along the waterfront, small boats docked at the shore, and a mountainous backdrop.
Culture
Travel to Knoxville’s sister city Muroran (virtually)
Our guide may even make you want to grab your passport and head for our sister city in Japan.
April 15, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Main greenhouse at the Botanical Garden of Curitiba, Brazil, featuring a large glass and metal structure with three domes, set against a clear sky and surrounded by landscaped gardens and walkways.
Culture
Travel to Orlando’s 8 sister cities (virtually)
Our guide may even make you want to grab your passport and head for our sister cities in Mexico or France.
April 15, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Cooking Class 2.png
Culture
Learn to cook at the J.A. Henry Community YMCA
The YMCA debuted a new Teaching Kitchen which will host cooking classes starting in May 2025.
April 15, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
NOOGAtoday | Bike
Travel and Outdoors
How much of your day can you spend on a bike in Chattanooga?
We take a look at our bicycling infrastructure and how we can make the area more bikeable.
April 15, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
A smiling person receives an IV while lounging in a white chair at Hydrate Medical. The person inserting the IV wears blue latex gloves.
Culture
Where to find and try popular wellness trends in Charlotte
Where can you find hydration therapy in Charlotte? Who has the best sound baths? We’re uncovering some of the most popular wellness trends in 2025 and where to try them locally. Bookmark and refer back here on your next wellness trip.
April 14, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
A crowd of people all dressed in pink walk during the Pink Cupcake Walk
Nonprofits
Register for the Pink Cupcake Walk
Registration is now open for the fifth annual Pink Cupcake Walk and Breast Cancer Lap in October 2025.
April 14, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
A shot of Hughes Main Library's exterior during midday
Culture
Unexpected library offerings at the Greenville County Library System
You don’t have to be a bibliophile to use the library. The Greenville County Library System offers art exhibits, classes, video game contests, and more.
April 10, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
IMG_2577
Events
Where to find Easter egg hunts in Louisville
Let’s hunt some eggs.
April 8, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Cantor David Lipp holds a guitar and smiles at the camera.
Culture
Cantor David Lipp on Jewish music in Louisville
We asked Cantor David Lipp about how he came to Congregation Adath Jeshurun, the Kentucky style of Jewish music, and some of his favorite places around Louisville.
April 8, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Photo of a roller coaster
Culture

Adult birthday party ideas that take the cake in Fort Worth
It’s your birthday, you can party if you want to.
April 4, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
A man in rubber pants, a suit jacket, vest and bow tie stands at the bottom of a ramp, in the flooded basement of the Service Building in the aftermath of the 1937 flood.
Culture
List: The history of flooding in Louisville
We’re taking a look at some of Louisville’s biggest floods in history.
April 3, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
USC-0464.jpg
Culture
13 free things to do in Columbia
You don’t need to spend a lot to have a good day in Columbia. With this guide, you won’t need to spend anything but time.
April 3, 2025
 · 
Samantha Robertson
GVL_Pleasantburg_Today_Sept2022
History
Welcome to Pleasantburg, SC
We’re taking a look at what could have been if GVLtoday launced in the 1700s when Greenville, SC was named Pleasantburg, SC.
March 31, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
A giant monitor reading "Sullenberger Aviation Museum" hangs over the US Airways flight inside a former airport hanger.
Play
Round up the family for these kid-friendly activities around Charlotte
Check out these kid-friendly activities for the little ones, from treetop adventures to art museums.
March 28, 2025
 · 
Dylan Aycock
Los Murcielago uniforms for copa de la diversion
Culture
How to celebrate baseball with Copa de la Diversión
We dive into what the Copa de la Diversión series is and the history behind this event, which lasts the entire season of Minor League Baseball.
March 25, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
View of the Parthenon, an ancient Greek temple, on the Acropolis of Athens. The temple, built in the 5th century BC, is characterized by its iconic columns and classical architectural design. The image shows the Parthenon with a clear sky in the background and part of the Acropolis hill surrounding it.
Culture
Take a virtual tour of Washington, DC’s 15 sister cities
Our guide may even make you want to grab your passport and head for our sister cities in South Korea or Thailand.
March 24, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
A white magnolia covered in dew at Bernheim Forest
Culture
Spring has sprung at Bernheim Forest
Check out Bernheim Forest’s nationally recognized magnolias, plus three events to help you get into the spring spirit.
March 20, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Chef Lawrence Weeks stands in the middle of greenery.
Culture
What’s inside Lawrence Weeks’ kitchen?
We sat down with the chef behind North of Bourbon and Ensō, Lawrence Weeks, to find out what he keeps in his fridge. Plus, the one kitchen gadget he’d love to have.
March 20, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
A close up of the white blossoms of the Bradford pear tree.
Culture
The Bradford pear tree in Columbia, SC
You may see — or smell — these trees around Cola this spring.
March 14, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
view of downtown greenville
City
How much does it cost to live in Greenville?
How much does gas cost? Is it cheaper to live in Columbia instead? We broke down the cost of living in Greenville, SC including rent, housing, and other expenses. (And compared it to other locations.)
March 14, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
The west facade of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Harbin, China, showcases its distinctive Byzantine-style architecture. The cathedral features a large green domed roof, brick walls with ornate detailing, and tall windows. The entrance is visible in the center, with decorative arches and a tower extending above the building.
Culture
Take a virtual tour of Fairfax’s 3 sister cities
Our guide may even make you want to grab your passport and head for our sister cities in South Korea or Turkey.
March 12, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
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