As a Buffalo Bills fanfare TV news reporter, I have covered the Bills Mafia, the team’s ever-enthusiastic supporters. These fans are so famous that Hallmark is releasing a movie about them this weekend called, “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story.” If you would like to get a feel for the Bills’ fans before seeing the film, above is one of …
Developer Ellen Shareef cherishes encouragement from her late husband as she embarks on a long-awaited, large-scale development project in East Buffalo. Historic, brightly-colored structures dot this area. Once hubs in the various neighborhoods, many of these buildings now stand vacant. Ellen works to redevelop several of these landmarks so that they will never meet the wrecking ball. Since 2019, I …
As I read the many tributes to this incredible man who the world recently lost, I am deeply grateful to have met him. I had the privilege of creating a story about his business accomplishments, philanthropy work and service as a United States naval officer. When speaking with Leonard, he made me feel like I was the only person in …
This news story features Ron Carter, the renowned bassist who overcame adversity to record over 2000 albums and perform in world tours. When I contacted him requesting an interview, I didn’t expect an immediate answer. After all, at that moment he was a time zone away headlining a tour. When we met, I didn’t expect to spend 30 minutes with …
As someone born in Los Angeles, I studied the fire maps while flames decimated buildings, including my first childhood home. My heart ached as people lost everything. Our church boundaries included many areas where fires scorched the land. Residents helped each other and those from other states came to their aid. Volunteers say they have not slept for days as …
For this story, I interviewed three Bills’ fans from three different countries. Altogether, they traveled a total of nearly 40 hours to meet up in Los Angeles and cheer on their favorite team as they suit-up against the Rams this Sunday. Such dedication is typical of these football devotees known as the “Bills Mafia.” Since 2005, one of these superfans has …
As I drove into Western New York’s Treetop Acres, Christmas trees extended as far as the eye could see against a backdrop of puffy clouds. When I got out of my car and unloaded my camera equipment to film a story for the news, it felt like I had stepped inside a Hallmark movie. Shoppers have made Treetop Acres a tradition for over three decades, beginning when the family-run operation opened in 1990.
Here is a picture from the first time I covered a Comic-Con as a broadcast journalist. To get into character, I dressed up as news reporter April O’Neil in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. Now this outfit lives in the Halloween costume section of my wardrobe. At this time every year, I remember that fun experience.
In my news career, I love covering small businesses. In the fall, town volunteers bring out their cornstalks and decorate city centers as was done here. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “Small businesses employ nearly half of the American workforce and represent 43.5% of America’s GDP.” I have found that every small business owner has a unique story. …
Watching Vanderbilt football defeat an AP No. 1 ranked team for the first time in Vandy history brought back fond memories. I loved attending the University and being on the Vanderbilt dance team for all four years. We were on the field cheering and dancing throughout every single game from the moment the players first ran out of the tunnel …
I am excited to be earning my master’s degree in journalism! Since this industry is rapidly changing and I am a television news anchor and reporter, I want to maintain up-to-the-minute skills. Media forms are merging. Many television news stations host podcasts and share written web articles to accompany on-air reports, while newspapers feature audio and video versions of their …
Before even unpacking from her Olympic trip, silver medalist Anita Alvarez spoke with me. In this interview, she opens up about team rituals, stepping onto the podium in Paris, watching her USA artistic swimming team’s underwater moonwalk explode online, the time she almost drowned, and how that setback inspired others to persevere through challenges. Alvarez fell in love with artistic …
This report contains candid images a United Nations ambassador gave me from footage that she swiftly tossed in her handbag as she fled from invading troops seeking her life. An Indonesian army was attacking Timor-Leste, a small Southeast Asian country, while she was overseeing the Timorese’ vote on independence after over 400 years of captivity. On May 20, Timor-Leste celebrates 22 …
It has been nearly two years since the horrific, racially-driven mass shooting took the lives of loved ones at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo, New York. Residents continue to honor them and enrich their city. On that sad day, Lieutenant Aaron Salter Jr. gave his life to save the lives of others. Creating this story about the victims and how …
For this story, I followed the restoration of a century-old Buffalo building that has attracted travelers from around the world! Watching the work of these skilled preservationists felt like going on a treasure hunt, as they chipped away old drywall and discovered elaborate artifacts hidden underneath. Supplemental photos in my report came from The Buffalo History Museum, Jason Yots, Tom …