👋🏻 Hi, I’m Michael

My Latest Stories At NewsNation:

Biography

I’m excited to be back home in the Chicago area.

I got my start in journalism in middle school. First reporting for a local park district newspaper, then for the Scholastic Kids Press Corps (here is my bio back then). In high school I was the first digital editor for our school newspaper.

Previously, I spent nearly five years at KELOLAND Media Group, South Dakota’s #1 website and CBS affiliate covering South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota. The last position I held was a digital reporter, but spent time as an evening news, digital and investigative producer.

I graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University with a B.A. in media studies. (And that’s the way it is.)

I have a dog, two cats, I love to read (here’s what I am reading right now) and write. My favorite thing in life is to ✈️ travel (pre-COVID)!

I am a volunteer contributor to the open-source WordPress platform. My focus is on the #docs team and specifically working on the Block End-User Editing documentation. Also, helping out #training with the launch of their Lean WordPress site.

Speaking of WordPress: My theme is the NewsPack (open source here) from Automattic. Love the project and idea. My site is built on WordPress.org and hosted by WP Engine (affiliate link).

Please connect with me. Also, here’s a look at my resume.