What was your first job as a journalist?
I worked communications for Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences as a student writer
Have you ever used a typewriter?
As a kid. More as a toy than as a tool. I honestly am not sure why my parents have one — I was born in 2003!
How is social media changing news?
We all now have a platform. Many people use it to peddle false and/or biased info. The algorithms also are designed to create echo chambers.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Peter Parker. Next question.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To hold structures of power accountable for their words and actions, to expose truths (no matter how uncomfortable), and call out mis/disinfo
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Not quite a hashtag — but it's always funny when things get posted to r/NotTheOnion on Reddit.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I'd die without Otter, thank god for a good transcription service. Other than that, I primarily use just Voice Memos and Google Docs
What's your favorite social network?
I wouldn't say I have one necessarily, but I definitely use Instagram the most to communicate with friends, since they're most active there.
Who do you wish followed you?
Woodward and Bernstein — I'd say knowing the role of investigative journalism in Watergate made me quite interested in becoming a journalist.
Why did you become a journalist?
To seek out the truth and help create a knowledgeable society that can distinguish facts from mis/disinformation and make informed decisions.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Despite Month-Long Canvassing, Patrick Kuehl Claims He Was “Not Running” — easily my favorite to work on, even if it was the most stressful.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
I am an aspiring journalist myself — I'm welcoming any advice you might have though!
When's the best time to pitch you?
Afternoons and nights — I'm a night owl, although I'm trying to force myself to change and function on normal people hours.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
The time a candidate for city council texted me "I'm not [running] lmao who told u that" while running a secret campaign
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
The time a political candidate asked me to write a hit piece about his opponent when there was no election
What's your favorite drink?
Nonalcoholic — probably horchata (both the Spanish and Mexican versions) | Alcoholic — I'm not picky, but I love a good mixed whiskey drink.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
At a piano, or otherwise doing something musical. I can also regularly be found cheering on the Yankees, 49ers, NY Rangers, and Knicks.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The New York Times, the AP, Spain's El País, Reuters
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
I haven't found any major ones. Most people understand "I cover local happenings and city politics," especially in a place as small as Ithaca
