When a home is on fireplace or elections are underway, native information reporters are prepared to seek out out the info. But how do feline companions assist them get by means of the stress of each day deadlines? Meet some broadcast journalists who suppose cats are their savior for his or her sanity.
Miguel Octavio, Reporter WTSP-TV, Tampa, Florida
Turn on the night information within the Tampa Bay space, and also you’ll see Miguel Octavio masking the large tales. New to the job, Miguel is thrilled to be shifting up the journalism profession ladder. But as a TV reporter, it may be a nomadic life shifting from metropolis to metropolis. That’s why he’s grateful the one fixed in his life are his two cats, Cutie Pie, a 13-year-old long-haired, black-and-gray kitty, and Casper, an all-black cat who’s round 10 years outdated.
Miguel’s love of cats started within the Philippines, the place he was born to a robust, single mom, who at all times instilled kindness to animals in her son. There, he and his mom would feed and rescue stray cats and canines. When he was 9, he moved along with his mother to the United States in hopes of discovering a greater life. Despite the truth that they had been new immigrants in another country, their love of animals continued. Miguel and his mother fostered many cats and kittens for an area rescue group as they pursued the American Dream.
The 26-year-old just lately began reporting at WTSP-TV, the CBS affiliate, and is new to the Tampa space. “I moved here by myself and really didn’t know anyone or the city. It’s such a nice feeling to come home and have Cutie Pie and Casper waiting at the door for cuddles and pets. I’m never lonely thanks to them. To me they’re not just pets but a source of emotional support in a very stressful, high-profile business.”
Follow Miguel Octavio on Instagram @miguelwtsp
Heidi Wigdahl, Reporter KARE-TV, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Heidi Wigdahl is a multimedia journalist on the NBC affiliate in Minneapolis. During the protests surrounding the homicide of George Floyd, the award-
successful reporter was entrance and heart and proper within the thick of issues. That’s why when she comes residence, she relishes time to loosen up along with her younger daughter Olive and favourite felines, Bunny Pancake and Backpack the Brave.
Credit: Heidi Wigdahl
“I just love how my cats make me feel,” Heidi says. “They’re so soothing, and they greet me at the door. I’m always working to earn their trust and love, because sometimes they can be shy and fearful.”
Bunny was discovered behind a Target retailer in Rochester, Minnesota, and adopted from an area shelter. Backpack got here from a Tennessee cat rescue. As a lifelong cat advocate, Heidi has at all times taken to special-needs cats. Her late cat, Jazz Mango, had many veterinary points.
“I adopted him in college, and his vet bills were expensive. In hindsight, I wasn’t financially prepared to take on those costs. But in the end, he was so worth it.”
When not working, Heidi at all times finds time to offer again to her native cat rescues. She’s emceed and volunteered at fundraising occasions for the Bitty Kitty Brigade, a neonatal kitten rescue, and Feline Rescue, the biggest cat rescue in Minnesota.
So what’s her favourite story ever? Embezzlement, extortion or unlawful medication? No manner! It’s reporting on the kittens on the Kitten Bowl when the Super Bowl was in Minnesota.
Follow Heidi Wigdahl on Instagram @heidi.wigdahl
Megan Shinn, Anchor Noon and seven p.m. Newscasts, WRTV-TV, Indianapolis, Indiana
As a tv information anchor at WRTV, Megan Shinn is used to working odd hours. But to her cats, the hours make no distinction. The Indianapolis information anchor is mother to kitties Basil, a Russian Blue, and Odin, a special-needs cat who solely has one eye.
While residing and dealing in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Megan coated a narrative about hurricane animals on the Virginia Beach SPCA, the place she seen the cute one-eyed cat. Just a few weeks later, she began courting her now-
husband Mike who, a lot to her shock, had adopted the special-needs kitty she remembered from the story.
After Megan and Mike acquired married, Odin joined Basil, who Megan adopted throughout her time as a broadcaster in Eugene, Oregon. Like many broadcast journalists who transfer from metropolis to metropolis, having a pet simply makes life much less lonely. “It feels like every move to a new market means I get another cat. They are the best companions for journalists. From sweet purrs to greeting you at the door and making funny news bloopers during the pandemic, they make a house a home.”
Follow Megan Shinn on Instagram @meganshinntv
Miranda O’Bryan, Anchor Good Morning KOTA Territory and Good Morning Black Hills, KOTA-TV, Rapid City, South Dakota
Miranda O’Bryan has at all times beloved cats. Growing up in Martin, South Dakota, her household had a number of cats they discovered as strays, in shelters or on farms. That’s why, after graduating from South Dakota State University, she acquired her personal kitty named Jericho, who was a part of a litter from her grandma’s farm. “Jericho has been my rock. He helped me through the end of a serious relationship and adjust to living on my own.”
Miranda began as a reporter at her station however has rapidly moved up the ranks. She’s utilizing her love of cats and her ardour for journalism as inspiration for writing a kids’s e-book. She hopes to get Jericho the Journalism Kitty revealed quickly, to encourage kids to pursue a profession in journalism and writing, all by means of the eyes of her cat. The e-book can be a part of a social affect neighborhood undertaking Miranda is pursuing for the Miss South Dakota Scholarship Competition, which is a part of the Miss America Organization. She’s been a finalist to be Miss South Dakota beforehand and hopes that with Jericho as her apply buddy and supporter, subsequent 12 months might be her 12 months to clinch that title.
Follow Miranda O’Bryan on Instagram @mobryantv
