As the assignment editor, I doled out breaking news stories to reporters and assigned editors to edit them and quickly publish the stories online. I edited some of those stories as well, working with the correspondents and freelancers throughout the day. My job included posting wire stories online and selecting staff and wire stories for the National/World section of the newspaper.

Hired as a senior general assignment reporter to produce untold, human interest stories, most of which landed on the front page. Promoted to foreign correspondent for Latin America and the Caribbean. I filed breaking news, political and feature stories, consistently scooping the competition.After several years bouncing from country to country across the Caribbean and Central America, reporting on civil unrest, ruthless gangs, political chaos, and other issues, promoted to assistant foreign editor.

After a good run as a copy editor, returned to reporting, becoming the newspaper’s first national and international reporter.Years later joined the education team to cover the largest school district in the state and to write a weekly column on the tough issues affecting teaching and learning in the district. Won prestigious awards for coverage of high achieving as well as failing schools. I spent an entire year in one of those high schools where the students were doing everything but learning and the faculty had lost control. My series of stories led to a complete overhaul of the school program and dismissal of the teaching and administrative staff.

Reported stories about crime, education, pop culture, growth and development, environment, politics, business and many other topics in the New Jersey Shore region and New York metropolitan area. Also joined the copy desk to gain editing and headline-writing experience.

City Hall beat in Falmouth – the second largest town on the Cape – covering local politics, police and fire departments, planning and finance departments. Weekend reporter in Hyannis, the largest city on the Cape.