DJ Bettinger, News Director:
Shepherdsville, Kentucky native DJ Bettinger began his career producing for NewsChannel 12 in the spring semester of 2011. DJ is a graduating senior pursuing a major in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in political science. Outside of the newscast, DJ is the News Director for the college radio station Revolution 91.7, and a founding father of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.
Any questions or concerns regarding the newscast, please email DJ at Donald.bettinger712@topper.wku.edu
Faith Humphrey, Web Director:
Faith Humphrey is a senior at Western Kentucky University. She will graduate in May with her Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and minor in Sociology. She interned over the summer with Local 7 News in Evansville, Indiana. Faith also got married over the summer! She lives in Owensboro, Kentucky and is excited to start her career after graduation. If you have any story ideas you can e-mail Faith at faith.flahardy347@topper.wku.edu
Jenny Simon, Executive Producer:
Jenny Simon is a senior broadcasting major with a focus in news from Louisville Kentucky and a minor in performing arts administration. Jenny dreams of being a television news producer after graduation and has already gained a lot of experience writing for the five o’clock news at her summer internship at WLKY-TV in Louisville. When she is not in class or working at AARC, she is in the dance studio or hanging out with her Alpha Gamma Delta sisters. Jenny hopes to continue to teach dance along with her passion for news writing and maybe even open her own studio someday.
Jordan Morton, Executive Producer:
Jordan Morton is a Jasper, Indiana native but came across state borders to WKU to study News Broadcasting. She began her broadcast career in 2011 when she started producing and reporting for News Channel 12. In the fall of 2011 she became an Executive Producer for News Channel 12 as well. Jordan is a Junior at Western Kentucky University and will graduate in May of 2013. Jordan’s major is News Broadcasting and she is minoring in Political Science and Health Care Administration. When Jordan is not in the news room she passes her time with her Phi Mu Sorority sisters or travels home to Indiana to spend time with her family. If you have any story ideas or questions for Jordan please e-mail her at Jordan.morton685@topper.wku.edu
T.J. Parker, Anchor and Multi-Media Journalist:
Veteran Anchor/Multi-media journalist T.J. Parker has been with NewsChannel12 since September of 2009 and started anchoring the second semester of his freshman year. T.J. comes to WKU from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. He says his passion for journalism began at a young age and that he is extremely grateful for the many opportunities he has been given since then.
T.J. was in charge of NewsChannel12’s campaign for the Ultimate Newscast Makeover competition in 2010/2011. With the help of the campus and community, NewsChannel12 won the competition and was awarded a new set and brand from FX Group. He is the recipient of the Hearst Journalism Award for Television Features where he came in seventh place for two stories he did in the fall of 2011. T.J. is also the president of the WKU- RTDNA chapter.
Aside from reporting and anchoring, T.J. enjoys spending time with his friends and making trips back home to Chicago to see his family.
If you have a story idea or just want to say, “Hi,” email T.J. at tommy.parker250@topper.wku.edu, friend him on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter @_TJParker.
Jacqui Powell, Anchor and Reporter:
Jacqui Powell is a Florida native, but now calls Elizabethtown, Kentucky home. She has been a part of News Channel 12 since her first semester at WKU in Fall 2009. But her dream of being a reporter started even earlier. She started with a job in radio at age 13. In High School, she won the 2009 National Robert F. Kennedy Award for Humanitarian Journalism. Since Jacqui has been at WKU, she has worked as an anchor and reporter at News Channel 12. She has also worked at Revolution WWHR-FM, and interned at KXAN Austin News in Austin, Texas during summer 2011. Jacqui is minoring in French, and she plans to study abroad in Paris during the summer of 2012. She also works as a marketing assistant at WKU Health Services. Jacqui plans to graduate in December 2012. She then hopes to move somewhere sunny where she can begin her career as a television reporter. If you’d like to share a story idea with Jacqui, you can email her at jacqulyn.powell449@topper.wku.edu.
Mitchell Grogg, Videojournalist and Anchor:
Evansville, Indiana native Mitchell Grogg began reporting for News Channel 12 in March, 2011. Mitchell is a member of WKU’s class of 2013 and is pursuing a double major in Broadcasting with a Broadcast News Concentration and Spanish, along with a minor in Economics. When Mitchell isn’t covering the news, he competes on WKU’s National Championship Speech and Debate Team Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, and Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
Mitchell is fascinated by people and their stories, and loves nothing more than to share people’s stories. In addition to reporting for News Channel 12, Mitchell worked during the summer of 2011 as an intern at WFIE, in his hometown of Evansville. If you have a story you’d like Mitchell to share, you can find him on Facebook and on twitter @MitchellWGrogg.
Jake Ryle, Multi-Media Journalist:
Journalistically, Jake is a firm believer that every person has a story to share. He’s interned at WCPO-TV Channel 9 (ABC) inCincinnatifor the past two summers. In the summer of 2011, Jake was named one of the top 75 college journalists as a “National Scripps Howard Internship recipient”. He’s also received the Kentucky Broadcasters Association Scholarship, and was named one of the top four broadcasting majors inKentuckyin 2010. Jake also works as a Multi-Media Journalist for the “Extra Point” Sports Show at WKU.
He also has worked as a member of WKU’s iMedia team in New York City, a radio news reporter for WKU’s Revolution 91.7 FM and even started his own website: www.thearu.com. Jake plans on graduating this May, and hopes to pursue an opportunity in his native city,Cincinnati.
Outside of journalism, Jake is a brother of Phi Gamma Delta, and was responsible for creating and coordinating the chapter’s annual “Rivalry Run” philanthropic event. His efforts generated more than $15,000 for the South Central Kentucky American Red Cross in just two years.
A big goal of Jake’s is getting the viewer engaged in whatever story he’s working on. You can follow him on Twitter @RyleJake, or send him an email–jacob.ryle801@gmail.com.
Trent Brock, Multi-Media Journalist:
Trent Brock is a junior atWesternKentuckyUniversity. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting with an emphasis in TV News with a minor in Meeting, Convention, and Exposition Planning.Trentis an Army Brat who has lived in areas such asKansas,Texas,Germany, andHawaii, but proudly callsFort Campbell,Kentuckyhome.Trentsays being a reporter has been a goal for as long as he can remember. In his free time,Trentenjoys working out, traveling, photography, watching TV, warm weather, and volunteering at animal shelters.
Jeremy Brown, Sports Producer and Anchor:
Jeremy Brown’s the name. Sports is the game. Jeremy is a junior who produces and anchors sports for News Channel 12 and the Extra Point. Whether it be how many pancake blocks Sean Conway had last season or how many digs Ashley Potts recorded, Jeremy has an unparalleled passion for statistics. When he’s not in the television studio Jeremy spends time producing The Sporting Times, Inside Hilltopper Sports and Battles of the Bluegrass radio shows for ESPN 1450. In a nutshell, Jeremy wishes he was Scott Van Pelt.
Ali Kresslein, Sports Anchor and Reporter:
News Channel 12 reporter and sports anchor Ali Kresslein, from Lexington, KY, is finishing up her senior year at WKU. Ali is a Broadcast News major and marketing minor. She interned at WKYT-TV in Lexington before spending a semester abroad in Christchurch, New Zealand. Ali joined the WKU iMedia team in 2010 as a video journalist for redTV. With the iMedia team, Ali worked at the INMA World Conference in New York where she interviewed, edited and created videos about the conference and keynote speakers. Ali also worked with the KIIS study abroad group for another iMedia project. Ali travelled to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania with two other iMedia members to document the experiences of study abroad students in Tanzania. This three person team produced a multi-media product, combining print, photo and video aspects, for a product that KIIS will use for marketing strategies. Ali is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, holding several leadership positions over the past 3 years. She has also worked on campus at the Music Department for the past 3 years. In her free time she loves running, watching sports and staying active! Upon graduating, Ali hopes to land a reporting job at a news station. In the future she would love to become an international reporter—combining her love of journalism with her love to travel.
Regina Garr, Reporter:
Regina Garr is a graduating Senior from Louisville, Kentucky who is studying Broadcasting with a concentration of News. She is also studying Entrepreneurship so that she can open her own dance studio.
Jasmine Taylor, Entertainment Reporter:
Jasmine Taylor is a Louisville, Kentucky native and a junior at Western Kentucky University. She will graduate in May of 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast News and a minor in Sales. After graduation she will pursue a career in entertainment television with plans to take over Ryan Seacrest’ job. Jasmine is a member of the Western Kentucky University all-girl cheerleading team. This is her first semester as part of the News Channel 12.
Jessica Nichols, Entertainment Reporter:
Jessica Nichols, a junior from Potomac Maryland is the newest addition to the Newschannel12 team. Bringing the latest in Entertainment news, she works hard to staying involved and on top of her game. From a young age she has always aspired to make an impact on the community. Moving from state to state during her younger years has lead to her passion for learning peoples’ stories. She plays an active role with campus activities and looks forward to the new ventures and opportunities that New Channel12 will bring. Currently pursuing a degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Marketing, Jessica hopes to one day be an Entertainment Tonight Host, or to work for Black Entertainment Television.
Becca Ollier, Meteorologist and Reporter:
Becca is one of the weather anchors on News Channel 12 and loves what she is doing. She is a Junior here at WKU and is from Cincinnati, OH. Becca is double majoring in Broadcasting with a concentration in News and in Geography with a concentration in Land, Weather, and Climate. Becca has always wanted to be a meteorologist since she could remember. She used to be afraid of storms and would watch The Weather Channel where she learned more about the weather. This created the passion that Becca has today.. She interned with WHIO, the CBS affiliate, in Dayton, OH over the summer. Becca also loves to hang out with friends and be around people all of the time because of her outgoing personality.
If you have a story for Becca you can email her at rebecca.ollier200@topper.wku.edu or you can follow her on Twitter @BeccaOllier
Cody Murphy, Meteorologist:
Cody is another weather anchor for News Channel 12 and he enjoys doing so. Cody is a senior at WKU and plans on graduating in May 2012 to further pursue his dreams of becoming a Meteorologist. As a Nashville native he enjoys the downtown scenery and music. Cody will be graduating with a major in Geography with a concentration in Land, Weather and Climate and a minor in Broadcasting. After graduation he hopes for a job out in the Mid West with a colder and snowier climate.
Amanda Mattingly, Meteorologist:
Amanda is originally from Minnesota but she considers Kentucky her home since she’s lived here most of her life. Amanda is a senior at WKU and will be graduating in May 2012. She is a weather anchor for News Channel 12 and loves working with the team. Amanda is majoring in Geography with a concentration in Land, Weather, and Climate and is also going to minor in Broadcasting. She has dreamed of being a meteorologist since she went through a hurricane in North Carolina in the 4th grade. Amanda has already started working toward her future by interning twice at WKYT, once in high school and once in college, and made some awesome connections there. After graduation Amanda hopes to get a job in Minnesota or the Dakotas, though her dream job would be to be a Chief Meteorologist at a TV station in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Amanda wants to move somewhere where they get a lot of snow and where a lot of her family is located.
Jonathan Wahl, Meteorologist:
Jonathan is a Meteorology Major and a Broadcast Minor from Louisville. He grew up in Louisville, and when he started elementary school, he began to show interest in the weather. His fear of storms drove him to learn more about the weather, and that fear turned into fascination. He’s still uneasy about lightning, though. Aside from forecasting and observing the weather, he enjoys movies, television and videos on the Internet, watching college football and college basketball (he’s a big Louisville Cardinals fan), and writing.
Katie Mertz, Web Producer:
Katie Mertz is a junior at Western Kentucky University. She is originally from New Castle, Kentucky, where her love of broadcasting began in high school. Majoring in Broadcast Journalism, Katie began producing for News Channel 12 in fall of 2011. Her future plans include working in a news station as a producer and eventually teaching broadcasting to high school students. She spent her summer working as the camp photographer for The Center for Courageous Kids. Katie is a proud sister of Kappa Delta Sorority.
If you have any story ideas or questions you can email Katie at katie.mertz02@gmail.com.
