We’ve been muddling along here at DCist after the departure of the inimitable Matt Cohen. Today, I’m thrilled to tell you that Rachel Kurzius is our wildly talented new Associate Editor.

Rachel is so good that I was forced to overlook the fact that she has the same name as me and accept the ensuing confusion/commentary/nicknames.

In her freelance wanderings for DCist, she has discussed the finer points of air sex, followed around a prolific performance artist, and introduced weed-hungry Washingtonians to Mr. Kush God, in addition to writing imaginative and incisive theater reviews.

Rachel comes to us from Sirius XM, where she spent the last 16 months producing an early morning political show. Her previous endeavors have included TV, a newsletter, and a weekly newspaper in Maine. She’s also written for Washington City Paper, Talking Points Memo, Northern Virginia Magazine, and Brightest Young Things, among others.

She grew up in New Jersey, and will defend the state ’til her dying day, despite all reason pointing otherwise. She loves hiking, haunted houses, and cracking an egg on just about any meal she eats. Ask her about her million dollar idea for a fast casual restaurant and she might just sell it to you.

Her first day is was Monday. Follow her on Twitter @curious_kurz.