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 …
This is the first time I have animated an entire news report! For years, this Buffalo building, steeped in history, has been hidden underneath a plain façade. Few realized that it was a treasure designed by the first-know female architect and used to help lead the Black Arts Movement. In this report, I bring the building to life by combining …
“They were thirsting for somewhere to show what they did, other than in their kitchens to their neighbors.” This is a quote from an interview I conducted with the legendary musician, Ron Carter. He sat down with me to describe what it was like for Black artists in the 1970s, and the discrimination they faced due to their race. This …
Let’s go, Buffalo!!! I guess you all know who I will be cheering for this Sunday when the Bills take on the Chiefs! Here is a short retrospective highlighting some of my favorite memories of covering the Bills’ famously-loyal fans. On game day, they wake up as early as 2 a.m. to prepare their elaborate tailgating cuisines, put on their …
Tomorrow, Shea’s Performing Arts Center launches its 2023-24 Broadway season! This acclaimed Buffalo theatre is famous for teching, prepping and launching Broadway touring productions in its gorgeous, historic century-old structure. Here is this season’s lineup.
This holiday invites everyone at every age to dance. It is never too late to start such a fun and valuable form of exercise and creative expression! As you can tell from these pictures, dance has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. The image on the left was taken of me at …