Michael O’Connell is a field editor with Patch in Northern Virginia. He was also the host and producer of the weekly It's All Journalism podcast and produced the Better News podcast for the American Press Institute.
Previously, Michael was a digital editor at Local News Now, a senior digital editor at Federal News Network, a producer of the National Governors Association's Meet the Threat podcast, and managing editor at The Connection Newspapers. For three years, Michael taught podcasting in the American University School of Communication’s Masters in Digital Storytelling program.
Besides speaking about podcasting at various journalism conferences, Michael is also the author of the textbook, Turn Up the Volume — A Down and Dirty Guide to Podcasting.
In June 2018, Michael traveled to Tajikistan on behalf of the U.S. State Department to teach young journalists how to podcast. Through that program, he also had the opportunity to speak to journalists remotely in Albania, Egypt, Indonesia and Malaysia.
A student from Spotsylvania County Schools shot another student Monday night west of Fredericksburg, according to the sheriff's office.
Fairfax County police arrested a 45-year-old man who they say fatally shot a Herndon man near Dranesville early Monday morning.
Students from Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudoun counties sort more than 28,000 pounds of food for local school children.
Four masked suspects crashed a car into the front of a Fredericksburg pawn shop and stole multiple firearms in under a minute, police say.
Nearly a week after fire destroyed a Great Falls farm stand, a GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $10,000 to help rebuild it.
During a traffic stop on Thursday, an Arlington County police officer recovered a concealed weapon and suspected narcotics, reports say
The Fairfax County NAACP will host a virtual community discussion on what's at stake in the Nov. 4 election.
Del. Joshua Cole (D-65) is on the Nov. 4 ballot, seeking to continue representing Fredericksburg in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Matt Rowe is one of three candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot seeking the Ward One seat on the Fredericksburg City Council.
Fairfax County police say that they linked a bulldozer stolen from a McLean construction site to a suspect in Michigan.
Following a months-long investigation into a drug distribution ring, Fredericksburg police seized thousands in narcotics, reports say.
A suspect accused of fatally shooting another man in the Dranesville area on Monday morning has surrendered to police, officials say.
Recent business news in VA includes a farm stand fire, a nationwide retailer closing, a sports gear giant opening and apple-picking sites.
The Swedish home goods retailer recently filed an application to open a full-service facility in Northern Virginia, reports say.
Jesse Dominguez is one of two candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot seeking Ward 4 seat on the Fredericksburg City Council.
Del. David Bulova (D-11) is one of three candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot seeking the District 11 seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Five new retailers are coming to The Boro Tysons, including a game show experience attraction and an award-winning eatery.
After leading the Fredericksburg Police Department for three decades, Chief Brian Layton's retirement begin on Jan. 1, 2026.
Three men are facing multiple felony charges of arson in connection to the May 15 apartment fire in Douglas Park, reports say.
FCPS Adult and Community Education baking classes provide hands-on learning experiences ahead of the 2025 holiday season.
