It’s important to never stop chasing your dreams

June 29, 2024

Since I was young, I’ve been taught to chase my dreams. So, that’s what I’ve always done. It led me to change my major from exercise science to journalism at Slippery Rock University. It led me to move across the country to Arizona to pursue my first job in the field while making just enough money to keep a roof over my head. Then, it led me to Arizona State University, where I obtained my master’s degree in sports journalism. I never stopped dreaming. At every stop in my journalism career, I’ve always had the goal of covering professional sports in the back of my head. ...

I continue to stand with Evan Gershkovich

June 22, 2024

Back in late February, I chose to use this space to write about Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. I had only been on the job for a few weeks; it was actually my third column since taking over here at the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator. Simply put, I was still finding my ...

State champions galore in the Mahoning Valley

June 15, 2024

A high school sports reporter who worked for my local newspaper when I was in high school was known for his phrase, “off to make someone a hero.” His name was Jim Sweet and while he never knew it, he had an enormous influence on how I approached my job throughout the early parts of my journalism career. Jim always did it the right way. He emphasized the local athletes and made them feel like superheroes. I remember the first time my picture was in the paper and when I was quoted for an article. That was the feeling I wanted to pass on to the athletes I covered. I wanted to give ...

Youngstown explosion garners national attention

June 8, 2024

A text message came across my phone around 6:42 p.m. last Tuesday. I was in the middle of editing a story and rearranging our story budget for the next day’s newspaper, and I didn’t even think twice about reading the message. I was in the thick of it. About 20 to 30 minutes later, after that story was sent off and the budget was finalized, I circled back around to see who had reached out. It was my mom checking in on my wife Lauren and I to make sure we were all right. I questioned why she was asking. I soon realized that she, and several other family members, had seen the Realty ...

Delivering the news is full of surprises

June 1, 2024

While walking around the newsroom recently, I was reminded of how each day in the newspaper business can bring something new, along with how capable our team is of delivering the news. It started last Friday. We were celebrating the retirement of Harry Newman, our director of sales and ...

Skenes shines bright light on Pirates’ future

May 25, 2024

On May 11, I was down in Pittsburgh’s North Shore between PNC Park and Acrisure Stadium with a few friends preparing for the Pirates’ game later that day when a young kid, no older than 9 or 10, who was dressed in a blank generic Pirates jersey with an oversized Pirates hat, walked by me. Normally, I wouldn’t have thought anything of it as it’s a common occurrence down in the North Shore. Families go to ball games all the time. But what caught my eye was the big and fluffy, caterpillar-like mustache under this young man’s nose. I chuckled and pointed it out to my friend. ...