Melissa Brown
As seen in:
Brookings Institution,
Radio New Zealand (RNZ),
Cincinnati Enquirer,
The Greenville News,
The Commercial Appeal,
The Daily Memphian,
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner,
Journal of Adolescent Health,
The Oak Ridger,
Responsible Investor
and
Covers:
Business and Technology
Articles by Melissa Brown
The Complete AI Research Workflow: From Prompt Discovery to Content Creation
I don’t need to tell you that AI search is everywhere. It feels like it’s embedded in everything we do. It’s in Google search results through AI Mode and AI Overviews. It’s been integrated into social media apps. It’s being discussed across our LinkedIn feeds, in blog posts, and in team meetings. Folks all over the world are using AI agents like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, and more in their everyday lives.
Principal allegedly stabbed by staff member at Keysborough Secondary College in Melbourne
By Melissa Brown, ABC A staff member is being questioned by police over the stabbing of a school principal in Australia. Keysborough Secondary College's Acacia campus, in Melbourne, was placed into lockdown about 3pm on Tuesday. Police arrived to find the college principal Aaron Sykes with non-life-threatening injuries that they described as being consistent with a stabbing. A man was arrested at the school. The Victorian Principals Association confirmed the man was a staff member at the school.
Principal allegedly stabbed by staff member at Keysborough Secondary College in Melbourne
By Melissa Brown, ABC A staff member is being questioned by police over the stabbing of a school principal in Australia. Keysborough Secondary College's Acacia campus, in Melbourne, was placed into lockdown about 3pm on Tuesday. Police arrived to find the college principal Aaron Sykes with non-life-threatening injuries that they described as being consistent with a stabbing. A man was arrested at the school. The Victorian Principals Association confirmed the man was a staff member at the school.
Here’s where Shelby County families can find free meals - Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News
Food By Melissa Brown and Thomas Wilburn, Chalkbeat Tennessee
Published: June 22, 2025 4:00 AM CT A network of groups in Shelby County are pitching in to help feed local students who may be missing out on regular school meals during the summer break. (Getty Images) This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. Sign up for Chalkbeat Tennessee’s free newsletter to keep up with statewide education policy and Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
Parish provides formation for students with special needs
By Melissa Williams Brown Contributing Writer MURRYSVILLE – Spearheading and teaching a faith formation program for special needs students at Mother of Sorrows Parish is a bright light for principal catechist Dr. Lisa Martinelli: She says it’s her students who are teaching her.
Faith Formation in the Diocese of Greensburg
By Melissa Williams Brown Contributing Writer GREENSBURG – When Vincent Reilly was hired two years ago as managing director for faith, family and discipleship, Bishop Larry J. Kulick had an extraordinary vision for transforming and renewing the parishes of the Diocese of Greensburg through faith formation, reaching out to youth and to those who have drifted away from the Church.
Historic Church of Saint Peter invites the community to celebrate it's 180th birthday
By Melissa Williams Brown Contributing Writer BROWNSVILLE – Parishioners, visitors and partner parishioners of St. Cecilia will celebrate a weekend rich in history, faith and community as they mark the 180th birthday of the Historic Church of Saint Peter in Brownsville, Fayette County. The homecoming weekend starts with a fish fry on Friday, April 4, tours of the iconic church on Saturday, April 5, and a special Mass marking the building’s anniversary on Sunday, April 6.
Conn Area: Leaders enjoy giving back
By Melissa Williams Brown Contributing Writer CONNELLSVILLE – Be proactive! Conn-Area Catholic School students are learning exactly what those two words mean, according to Principal Cecilia Solan. As part of the school’s leadership program, each student has a specific job to do. They apply and interview for the job, even 4-year-olds. Students receive instruction and, in some cases, a schedule to follow. There are many opportunities for students to engage, Solan said.
Nashville school shooting updates: Two dead, including suspect, one hurt at Antioch High School, police say
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Two 17-year-olds, including the shooter, are dead and another student is injured after shots rang out in the cafeteria of Antioch High School in Nashville at 11:09 a.m. Wednesday. Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said police received the first call to 911 two minutes after the 17-year-old student opened fire. The shooter killed one student, Aaron said. The shooter then turned the gun on himself and died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
By Rachel Wegner Verified, Evan Mealins Verified, Kirsten Fiscus Verified, Diana Leyva Verified, Austin Hornbostel Verified, Melissa Brown, Craig Shoup, Vivian Jones Verified
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Cincinnati Enquirer
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Nashville school shooting updates: Antioch High School shooting leaves two dead, including suspect, and one hurt
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Rachel Wegner Evan Mealins Kirsten Fiscus Diana Leyva Austin Hornbostel Melissa Brown Craig Shoup Vivian Jones Nashville Tennessean Two 17-year-olds, including the shooter, are dead and another student is injured after shots rang out in the cafeteria of Antioch High School in Nashville at 11:09 a.m. Wednesday. Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said police received the first call to 911 two minutes after the 17-year-old student opened fire.
By Rachel Wegner Verified, Evan Mealins Verified, Kirsten Fiscus Verified, Diana Leyva Verified, Austin Hornbostel Verified, Melissa Brown, Craig Shoup, Vivian Jones Verified
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The Greenville News
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Brace Yourself
Featured Article Tips from Dr. Arjun Patel at Quest Orthodontics in Sandy Springs Article by Melissa Brown Originally published in BuckHaven City Lifestyle With kids heading back to school this month, we asked Dr. Arjun Patel to share his expertise on what smart orthodontic treatment looks like. 1. When should parents take their kids for their first visit to an orthodontist?
Three reasons your small business isn't reaching its audience
Everyone knows 60 per cent of small businesses fail, most at the first major hurdle which is connecting with the people they want to sell to. Here at the top three reasons content and advertising do not hit the mark. 1. You don’t know who they are If you haven’t taken the time to determine who your ideal customer is, reaching them is going to be an issue. Here is the easiest way to determine your business’s ideal customer or customers. What problem is your business solving?
Are flip phones making a comeback?
Are flip phones making a comeback?Some say yes, with " While smart phones are still the preferred choice, it's a trip back to the past that some believe might have a positive impact on mental health."I do think that moving away from constant access to social media and being constantly connected to others could have a positive outcome on their mental health," Melissa Brown, who is an assistant professor of social work at "It's possible it's a fad, but quite honestly, I see it as a tremendous...
Circumstances Contributing to Suicide Among U.S. Adolescents Aged 10-19 Years With and Without a Known Mental Health Condition: National Violent Death Reporting System, 2013-2018 - Journal of Adolescent Health
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Holiday Concerts in Clearwater
By Melissa Marolla Brown . . . DMS Winter Strings Presents a Holiday Concert . . . December 15 and 22 Clearwater Details here . . . There are plenty of local community orchestras for accomplished string players to participate in during the year – but what about those folks who are returning to their string instrument after years away, or just picking one up for the first time? This season, the Dunedin Music Society has formed an ensemble specifically for those players.
More than $80 million approved in new P-EBT funds for Tennessee families
More than $80 million in federal relief funds will soon be available to Tennessee students who missed meals this school year due to pandemic closures, while tens of thousands of students may be eligible for backdated relief following a state correction to its previous plan. Federal authorities last week approved Tennessee's Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, or P-EBT, application for the 2021-2022 school year. Tennessee is now one of just 15 states to gain approval for the current school year.
Father Thomas A. Federline remembered for love and devotion to church, family
Priest of Diocese of Greensburg ‘succumbs to serious after effects of COVID-19’ By apanian@leadertimes.com | on November 12, 2021 By MELISSA WILLIAMS BROWN For The Leader Times Father Thomas A. Federline — who at one time served in Armstrong County — was always early for Mass to say his prayers in the sacristy. He had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother, and his family asked his flock to pray that Mary wrap him in her mantle of love during his hospitalization for COVID-19.
Bystander intervention on social media: Examining cyberbullying and reactions to systemic racism
Over four billion people worldwide are estimated to use social media by 2025. Though a majority of people use social media to engage with family and friends, people also use platforms and apps to obtain news and engage with communities on a range of issues. The polarization and sharing of news content in an era of “alternative facts” and misinformation exacerbates potential conflicts online and can reinforce false rhetoric about specific social issues and racial groups.
5G will pave the way for business opportunities
It’s estimated that in four years more than a billion people will be using 5G technology. The fifth-generation broadband network promises speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G. This means you can download a movie in seconds and make crystal-clear, no-lag HD video calls. 5G also offers greater stability, lower latency and the ability to connect multiple devices. If you’re into entertainment and gaming, prepare to be dazzled. But 5G is about more than just fast internet.
There’s a lot in the world to be hopeful about
If you watch the news, it seems like the world is in bad shape. In a survey by YouGov, 71% of respondents agreed with this sentiment and said they thought the world was getting worse, while only 5% thought it was getting better. “If it bleeds, it leads,” reflects what the media often covers because it’s human instinct to pay attention to scary events, negative information and potential threats. This instinct once helped keep our ancestors alive. But are things as bad as most people think they are?
What the internet can tell us about who we really are
Melissa Brown If you’ve ever wondered what people search for in Google, when no one is looking, below are some examples: Parents are twice as likely to Google, “Is my daughter overweight?” than, “Is my son overweight?” and twice as likely to search how to get their daughters to lose weight.
Column: Tech supplies to take back to college
Next week, fall semester at UAF begins. If you’re a college student, regardless of what you study or where you do it, having the right technology can help you be successful. Below are some tech essentials that can help you gear up for a productive year. Laptop Choosing the right laptop will depend on what features you need and how much you’re willing to spend. If you’ll be lugging your laptop around a lot, then choose one that’s 13-inches or smaller.
Stop putting off work until tomorrow
FAIRBANKS — The one good thing about procrastination is you always have something planned for tomorrow. Other than that, there really isn’t much that’s positive about it. Unfortunately, everyone I know, including myself, has the occasional brush with procrastination. So, when I read in a recent study that only 20 percent of people claimed to be procrastinators, I figured that the other 80 percent told the researchers they would get back to them later.
‘Predictably irrational’ spending
Last week, I decided to buy a pair of new shoes online. I knew what I wanted, so in less than five minutes I was ready to check out. Then the website notified me if I spent $75, I would receive free shipping. My shoes were $65. If I spent $10 more, I could save $7.95 on shipping. I rationalized a $10 item would really only cost me $2.05. So I started searching for something else to buy. I wasted quite a bit of time looking at numerous things I didn’t need: socks, hats, sunglasses, flashlights, etc.
Quotes to help, challenge and motivate you in 2015
A good quote has the power to get us through a bad day. A great quote can inspire us to pursue our highest aspirations. Below are a few I hope will help you meet your goals for this year.
Research charities before giving your support
More than 80 percent of Americans give money to a charitable cause. This year alone, they will donate more than $300 billion. Few people, however, will spend more than 20 minutes researching the organizations they will choose to support. Just as it takes time and consideration to decide which gifts to give to friends and family, the same time and consideration should be given to researching where to donate your money.
Best website for small business
There are an overwhelming number of websites that offer advice and resources to small business owners. Knowing which ones to rely on can be tricky, so I’ve listed several below that I hope you’ll find useful. • Business Owners Toolkit At this site, you’ll quickly get the information and resources you need for starting and growing a business, filing your taxes, reaching your target market, and managing personnel.
Spreading the word about your business
I’ll bet you could easily identify the logos for brands like Starbucks, Mercedes and Apple. Chances are also pretty good that you’ve heard “there is no substitute” for a Porsche, Nike wants you to “just do it,” and Lucky Charms are “magically delicious.” Why is it that some products and ideas manage to stick while others don’t? Some would argue that a successful marketing campaign requires big spending, doing something outrageous to get noticed or simply getting lucky.
Inside Business: A funeral doesn’t have to bury you financially
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 6,700 people die in this country every day. The funeral business is a $17 billion-per-year industry. The National Funeral Directors Association estimates that the average cost of a funeral is more than $7,000. When someone dies, they often leave behind grieving family members who are not emotionally or financially prepared to manage a funeral; and the last thing on anyone’s mind is money.
The benefits of learning a foreign language
Fewer than 18 percent of Americans report speaking a language other than English, according to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. He states, “That’s far short of Europe, where 53 percent of citizens speak more than one language.
Roles of kids, parents have changed dramatically
Like most parents, my husband and I want our kids to be happy, confident and prepared for the future. These are, however, fairly new ideas about how to parent. A few generations ago, children were expected to pull their weight and contribute to the family’s finances. The economic and social roles that children played in society were dramatically different.
How to manage an unexpected windfall
In my last article, I discussed the terrible mistakes people sometimes make after receiving a large sum of money. If you find yourself trying to manage a financial windfall, there are a few steps you can take to help avoid the pitfalls. Don’t make any decisions right away.
Lottery winners may not be so lucky
FAIRBANKS — By Melissa Brown At a party my husband and I went to last weekend, a friend asked everyone what they would do if they won $300 million in a lottery. Responses ranged from buying an island to building schools in Africa. During the conversation, there didn't seem to be a downside to having so much money dropped in our laps. The reality, however, for many people who receive a sudden windfall is that what begins as a "dream come true" quickly turns into a nightmare.
Follow some basic guides to achieve your goals
If you’ve ever guessed that successful people do things differently from everyone else, you’d be right. It’s often assumed that success requires being exceptionally brilliant or talented. Yet we all know smart, capable people who never seem to accomplish much. Oscar Wilde stated, “Success is a science; if you have the conditions, you get the result.” By following some basic laws and principles, highly successful people are able to reach their goals and make great achievements.
Fight work fatigue and be more productive
Americans spend more time at work than almost anyone else in the world, so it’s no surprise that many are simply exhausted. Working long hours and taking on too much has become the norm, and when fatigue starts to set in, many either do not recognize the signs or just ignore them.
How people around the world use the Internet for productivity and fun
FAIRBANKS — More than 2.5 billion people worldwide use the Internet every day. Have you ever wondered who the biggest users are and which sites they visit? According to Nielsen Online and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Internet use is highest in North America and lowest in Africa.
Taking time for a ‘brain boost’ can help productivity
FAIRBANKS — Are employees who work at treadmill desks and take short midday naps more productive? Do students who spend time exercising and playing outside during the school day outperform students who spend the entire day studying?
Websites can help you plan an affordable vacation
FAIRBANKS — If you’re planning to take a trip this summer, you may find that the cost of traveling has gone up. Despite economic uncertainty around the globe, people continue to travel, and this rising demand has led to higher prices for airline tickets and hotel rooms. But, don’t despair. There are some great websites that can help you plan an affordable vacation. Flights AirfareWatchdog.com is a user friendly and efficient site for finding the best deals on flights.
The forces that shape how we think, feel and behave
FAIRBANKS - Bond, James Bond. It’s likely that this simple name helped the British spy get ahead in the Secret Service and would have also helped him to quickly move up the ranks had he chosen a career in law. When lawyers have names that are easy to pronounce, they climb the legal hierarchy faster and are more likely to become partners than peers who have names that are difficult to pronounce.
Sorting through the lies: trusting online reviews
My husband and I recently bought a new TV. Before we did, we read numerous online reviews to help us decide which model to choose. While scanning through websites, my husband said, “Oh, come on. This review has to be fake.” When I looked at it, I agreed it was a bit over the top in describing the TV’s “awesomeness.” It read like a commercial and gave little information about performance or value.
Maintain high professional standards through excellent etiquette
Today’s business world is fast-paced, constantly changing and technology allows us to stay connected. Times have certainly changed, but this doesn’t mean professional etiquette has become any less important. Business has always been about people. Companies that are able to hang on to customers and talented employees understand the importance of always showing them respect and consideration.
Websites offer small businesses valuable services and information
Big businesses usually have entire departments to help them handle legal issues, marketing, personnel management and accounting problems. Small business owners, on the other hand, often have to manage these challenges themselves, regardless of whether they have any expertise in these areas. But thanks to the web, help is only a few keystrokes away.
Preventative tools good to protect yourself from computer viruses
FAIRBANKS — Making sure my computer is protected from viruses and hackers is not the first thing I think about when I turn on my system every morning. In fact, unless I hear news about some nasty virus, worm, trojan or malware going around, I don’t think about it at all. But just as we take precautions and do basic maintenance to ensure our cars and homes are safe, we should do the same with our computers and other internet devices.
Websites can help you save money
FAIRBANKS - In a short period of time, the Internet has become like the Mall of America, a place where people love to shop and spend their money. The Internet also has become a great resource to help find good deals and save money. If you’re interested in saving a few dollars, you may want to check out some of the sites I’ve listed below: Shoplocal.com Need a new vacuum? See who’s got the one you want for the best price in Fairbanks.
Persistence is the No. 1 key to success in business and in life
FAIRBANKS — A few weeks ago, fall semester kicked off at the University of Fairbanks. Many students start college with the hope of finishing a degree. Unfortunately, I’ve seen many quit on their dream. No doubt, it is a challenging goal, especially for those who work full time and have family obligations. For a majority of students, time and money are scarce resources. Failing a class can be a huge setback that leads many to drop out permanently.
Effective time management helps make the most of a day
FAIRBANKS — As the summer comes to an end, I’m reminded of how quickly time flies. And now that I’m back to a busy work schedule, I’m also reminded how important it is to make the most of every minute. Below are some tips that help me to do this: Focus on what’s important If employees were paid according to what they produced versus how many hours they spent in their office, the workplace would look different for a lot of organizations. For many, the 80/20 rule of time management applies.
Believe it or not, it is possible to love your job and perform it well
FAIRBANKS — With 13.3 million people unemployed, most people who have a job feel pretty lucky to be working. But this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re happy with their jobs. According to the Conference Board research group, about 55 percent of people are not content in their current positions and are searching for something else.
The most successful businesses are ‘Great by Choice’
FAIRBANKS — How is it that some businesses manage to become incredibly successful regardless of how stiff the competition is or how chaotic economic conditions become? According to Jim Collins and Morten Hansen, business consultants and co-authors of “Great by Choice,” businesses that thrive over the long-haul have clearly defined goals and values that don’t change when times get tough.
Employee benefits don’t have to be expensive to keep employees happy
FAIRBANKS — A common problem for many businesses is how to attract and retain great employees. Managers often conclude that unless they can offer a spectacular pay and benefits package, it’s a hopeless situation. When you look at Fortune magazine’s 2011 list of best companies to work for, the organizations appear to have money to burn and spare no expense on their employees.
Tips to help you handle crazy customers
FAIRBANKS - If you work in customer service, you’ve probably had your share of crazy or rude customers. I don’t mean mildly disgruntled customers who calmly explain their problem and wait for you to help. I’m talking about customers who rant, rave and act like they’re out of their minds because their purchase didn’t go as they’d hoped. When you encounter this kind of customer, all the training you’ve had seems completely worthless when you try to help them.
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