This article originally appeared here. I had to attend a wedding last week. It wasn’t a shotgun wedding or anything — it wasn’t even me getting married. But I was the best man, so it would have been a little weird if I didn’t show up.  Right before my toast, one of the groomsmen, with … Continue reading How to Use Humor in Copywriting (Death to Dad Jokes)

This story originally appeared in The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature. “Why would she make me go that way?” he asked. “That doesn’t make sense.”He pawed at a speckled beard. Dry scratching filled the car.“I’m telling you, Carol,” he said. “We’ve always taken 85 in the past. We always do it.”“Frank, the GPS says … Continue reading Shelf Clouds

This one was interesting because I was a "digital anchor," compiling information in real time as a team of reporters at the scene sent raw interviews over Slack into the vignettes at the bottom. Afterwards, I stayed at the office until 10:00 PM to get the main body of the story refined and completed. This … Continue reading Phoenix budget approved after 3 hours of anger, pain and demands for police reform

This story originally appeared in Cronkite News. PHOENIX – A preschooler reportedly takes a doll from a dollar store. Police surround her parents’ vehicle in a sun-soaked parking lot, guns drawn. One officer threatens, with an expletive, to shoot. A head is slammed against a police car; legs are kicked apart. Onlookers videotape the scene, … Continue reading Protesters, proponents and the cultural clash over Phoenix police

This story originally appeared in Cronkite News. JOSHUA TREE, California – Sitting on well-worn couches in a living room lined with climbing guidebooks, Todd Gordon and Tucker Tech reminisce on a friendship that has lasted nearly 40 years and rock climbing careers that have lasted even longer. They’re swapping tales in the house where Gordon, … Continue reading Climbing in Joshua Tree: Breaking bones and belaying friendships