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.
The Office of Personnel Management updated its operating status for all federal offices in the greater Washington, D.C., area on Wednesday.
Arlington Public Schools have made a decision about Wednesday, Jan. 8, as Northern Virginia continues digging out from a winter storm.
Fairfax County Public Schools have made a decision about Wednesday, Jan. 8, as Northern Virginia continues digging out from a winter storm.
Patch invited readers in Reston to send us their best of this week's winter storm.
Patch invited readers in Fairfax City to send us their best of this week's winter storm.
A scuffle involving loss prevention personnel at a Pentagon City business lands a 32-year-old man in jail, according to Arlington Police.
Arlington County Police reported on Wednesday morning that the missing 14-year-old girl last seen in Green Valley has been found.
Arlington County Police say a 48-year-old Quantico man bit a firefigther as he was being taken to the hospital on Friday night.
A winter storm has moved out of the Northern VA-DC region. Here's how much snow fell over the two days that canceled flights and schools.
Backers of the proposed Tysons casino reported spending more than $1.5 million in political contributions and lobbying efforts in Richmond.
The Office of Personnel Management updated its operating status for all federal offices in the greater Washington, D.C., area on Tuesday.
After closing Monday due to the winter storm, Fredericksburg City government offices will operate on a different schedule on Tuesday.
After closing Monday due to the winter storm, Arlington County government offices will operate on a different schedule on Tuesday.
After closing Monday due to the winter storm, Fairfax County government offices will operate on a different schedule on Tuesday.
Arlington Public Schools have made a decision about Tuesday classes due to the winter storm that's blanketed Northern Virginia in snow.
Fredericksburg City Schools have made a decision about Tuesday classes due to the winter storm that's blanketed Northern Virginia in snow.
Fairfax County Public Schools have made a decision about Tuesday classes due to the winter storm that's blanketed Northern Virginia in snow.
Share your snow photos from Arlington for Patch's 2025 winter storm gallery.
Share your snow photos from Fredericksburg for Patch's 2025 winter storm gallery.
Share your snow photos from McLean for Patch's 2025 winter storm gallery.