Amanda is a 10-time award-winning journalist who has been in the field for more than a decade. A graduate of Valdosta State University, where she was a features editor for the campus newspaper, Amanda has since moved on to embark on a career that has led her to winning top state awards through the Georgia Press Association.
She has been a lifestyles editor for The Valdosta Daily Times and a magazine editor for The Daily Times' monthly publication, Valdosta Scene, overseeing a small staff and being third-in-command in the newsroom. While at the Daily Times, she revamped the company's magazine, acted as a link between the community and readers and took on hard-hitting assignments that garnered her multiple accolades while remaining committed to community journalism.
Her leadership then took her to The Griffin Daily News, where she was a managing editor and department head who worked closely with the publisher and marketing manager. While there, she brought new light to the newspaper and its bimonthly magazine, Southern Crescent Living. She established new weekly departments for the newspaper while correlating opportunities for advertising and editorial to come together and share space on the pages.
Her awards include: two for Investigating Reporting (first and third place), Feature Photo (second place), three for Lifestyle Coverage (first and second places), Best Magazine Overall Design (first place), Magazine Cover Design (third place), Magazine Product (second place) and Religion Writing (third place).
The Associated Press has run 13 of her stories through its weekend wire, and she has had multiple stories to circulate both nationally and internationally in several print and digital publications. National Public Radio Atlanta (WABE) has interviewed Amanda about her work.
She has interviewed Adrian Peterson, Gov. Brian Kemp, Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp, Super Bowl Champ Malcolm Mitchell, Elizabeth Smart, two Harlem Globetrotters, Pam Tebow, Misty Copeland and the late Burt Reynolds. She has also photographed Shaquille O'Neal, Flo Rida and other public figures.
Amanda has a passion for storytelling and enjoys being a voice for the local community. While her work ranges from crime to business to education news, her heart lies in features journalism as it offers the chance to meet diverse people and share their stories in a way that matters. The readers and those she interviews will always come first for Amanda.
Accused Beyoncé Music Thief | Injured Delta Workers | Teen Golfer Dies | 177 Fugitives Arrested | Stabbing Kills Student | Officers Charged
"We can’t afford to sustain it,” a top executive for WABE's "City Lights Collective," told a media outlet.
DeKalb Master Firefighter Preston Fant died after becoming trapped while trying to save a firefighter during a warehouse blaze.
A building at Georgia Tech had to be evacuated after an explosion.
Hyundai CEO José Muñoz told reporters he learned on the news that federal authorities had raided the manufacturer's Georgia battery plant.
The man became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers at Universal Orlando and died of blunt impact injuries. A GoFundMe has been set up.
More than 100 fugitives in Georgia are now in custody on charges of murder, assault, and robbery, among other crimes.
Atlanta Police say four people, ranging in ages from 12-18, were shot in their legs.
The man was accused of grabbing the 9-week-old puppy's neck and hitting it in the face while in a Bradenton social club.
Tropical Storm Gabrielle was packing 50 mph winds Friday as the storm swirled in the Atlantic Ocean. See potential impacts for Florida.
Here's when you have your best shot at seeing autumn leaves when they turn their most blazing reds, vibrant orange and sunny yellows in GA.
Georgia Lottery roundup: Millions of dollars were recently won, including a $2 million prize in a $2 Million Dollar Multiplier scratch-off.
Hay rides, festivals and nature hikes galore! Patch has your guide to fall events this year.
The equinox ushers in the new season and cooler temperatures. In Florida, it also means hurricane season is more than half over.
The equinox officially ushers in the new season and its promise of crisp air, show-stopping fall foliage and cool evenings.
Charges are pending against a 19-year-old driver in connection with a crash that injured a police officer in South Fulton.
Deputies found drug paraphernalia in plain sight while investigating at a Cherokee County home, prosecutors say.
The "charismatic" high-school golfer reportedly collapsed and died while doing "homecoming activities" at a Georgia home, authorities said.
A Royal Caribbean cruise had to return to a Miami port after an argument reportedly escalated into a brawl that injured two people.
Prosecutors say they are moving forward with re-charging an ex-DeKalb County officer accused of fatally shooting a man during a call.
