What was your first job as a journalist?
At age 15, I started writing high school sports for the Copiah County Courier. That real-world experience so young was such a blessing.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes!! Waaaaaay back in the day I used a typewriter at the Copiah County Courier.
How is social media changing news?
First, we have to fact check 200x more than before because information is coming at us rapid-fire from everywhere. We also have to be faster.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
I know everyone says it, but Lois Lane. And I think the last Superman movie proves my theory: Lois is a redhead.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be a prophet, a truth-teller, an observer and a participant in history. To call out liars, to honor the brave, to speak for the voiceless.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I don't know about funniest, but I do love literally everything under .
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Just email me.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Camera, computer, phones.... Edius, ENPS.... um, email? :D
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter and Facebook are neck and neck, but I really enjoy instagram for just fun personal things.
Who do you wish followed you?
I was SO pumped when James Rosen and Brooke Baldwin followed me. But also Dana Perino, Jon Karl, Lara Logan, Shepard Smith, Sharyl Attkisson.
Why did you become a journalist?
I was heartbroken I didn't make cheerleader, so Dad brought me an ad asking for HS sports writers and said, "Go tell that man you can write."
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I worked for an actual community newspaper in high school. I wrote sports and features and took pictures.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Either the Jessica Chambers murder case or the story of the Brookhaven, Miss. spree killing that took 8 lives. The killer confessed to me.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
You have to love it, no matter what time the clock shows, what temp the thermometer shows, or how much your age shows.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Definitely the one wanting me to review the book about the psychic cat. I'm not making this up.
What's your favorite drink?
When I'm off the wagon, scotch. But since I'm acting kinda right these days, probably Diet Sunkist.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
At a crime scene or with my dogs.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That it's for a brand-new baby journalist. If you want good breaking and crime news, it's good to have someone with institutional knowledge.
