Mary Chao

Mary Chao

Mary Chao

Specialty Reporter

Mary Chao is a NYC-based Specialty Reporter at Scripps News covering real estate and Asian American issues. An award-winning print journalist and columnist of over 25 years -- most recently at The Bergen Record NorthJersey.com -- she joined Scripps News through the Journalism Journey Initiative program transitioning veteran print journalists to broadcast. She is an immigrant from Taipei, Taiwan and a graduate from New York University where she met her Marine Colonel husband.

Recent Work
Side-by-side photos of Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and Babe Ruth.

Aretha Franklin, Elvis and Babe Ruth all died on this date

Photo illustration of piggy banks and a house

Rising home prices means more home equity for homeowners

A basketball on court.

Alabama high school basketball player Caleb White dies

This 30,000 square foot mansion is listed in Los Angeles at $65 million.

Where are the wealthiest buying their homes?

Family walking in a park.

Which cities are best for renters with families?

Shopping online using a credit card.

US credit card debt now over $1 trillion. How to cut down your debt

College students talking on campus.

What the rise in immigrant students means for American colleges

The shortage of sriracha hot sauce continues with resellers doubling prices.

The struggle is real for Asian foodies as sriracha shortage persists

The original Garbage Plate at Nick Tahou's.

Got a hangover? Why this 'Garbage Plate' may be the cure

Neighborhoods with sidewalks close to parks and amenities are in demand

Why walkable neighborhoods are hot when it comes to home sales

Office building exterior.

More office spaces set to be converted into apartments

Amazon uses mules to deliver to the Grand Canyon

How Amazon delivers packages by mule to Grand Canyon

AJ Sankofa at ESO Artisanal Pasta in Morristown, New Jersey

How Food Network fame boosted this Black-owned pasta shop

Business concept: hand holding house and money.

Could climbing interest rates tame home prices?

Businessman looking at city with network

How AI is changing the competitive real estate market

Worker at his computer.

How workers are saving time using ChatGPT AI

Construction of a new building.

New White House initiative to tackle affordable housing crisis

Illustration of cloud computing concept with AI.

New study shows who is more at risk for AI job displacement

SAG-AFTRA and WGA on strike in Hollywood.

Netflix faces backlash for $900K AI job post during Hollywood strikes

Group of multiethnic students on a college campus

Should students gain college admissions due to legacy family names?

Man holding a small house made of money

Fed interest rate hike: What it means for real estate market

Graduates hold diplomas

Harvard facing civil rights complaint over legacy admissions

New federal financial aid determination eliminates the sibling discount for college tuitions.

Got kids in college? This FAFSA discount is going away

Margot Robbie as Barbie in the Barbie movie.

Pink power: 'Barbie' movie breaks record, merchandise sells out

Scripps New reporter Mary Chao using the TikTok old age filter

Will you look like your mom? How to use that viral TikTok old age AI

Lindsay and Michael Hyland are newlyweds searching for a home in Florida and New Jersey.

Young buyers weigh options as they struggle to afford today's housing

A hotel guest in Mexico takes in the view of the Pacific Ocean.

Dreaming of a new start? Here are the top places to live, work abroad

A Hallmark Christmas cruise is to set sail November of 2024.

Hallmark Channel announces Christmas cruise

A home with palm trees in front of it.

Which cities are seeing the biggest growth in home prices?

What the Court's affirmative action ruling means for the workplace