For this week’s Media Monday, we’d like you to meet Natalie Covate, editor of Lynnwood Today and MLTnews.
- How did you find yourself at Lynnwood Today and MLTnews?
It’s a long story. I went to graduate school for journalism at Boston University, where I focused on producing digital news. After graduating in September 2013, I moved to the Edmonds area and reached out to My Edmonds News for freelance opportunities, which is a news website that is partnered with Lynnwood Today and MLTnews. I wrote there off and on until I was offered a position at KIRO TV in Seattle. While there were many things I enjoyed about television news, my ultimate goal remained to work in a digital space. In late 2015, the publisher at My Edmonds News told me she was looking for a new editor for MLTnews and Lynnwood Today. I told her I was interested and began my work in this role in January 2016.
2. Which of your stories are you most proud of?
I love to tell stories that connect with people in the community, or that give a local angle on a larger story. Recently, I’ve written about neighbors’ concerns about crumb rubber in artificial fields (http://lynnwoodtoday.com/neighbors-raise-crumb-rubber-concerns-meadowdale-playfields/), a 5-story building under construction that caught fire (http://lynnwoodtoday.com/fire-chief-largest-fire-faced-28-years/) and a local restaurant’s appearance on national television (http://lynnwoodtoday.com/travis-fimmel-wears-moonshine-bbq-t-shirt-live-kelly/).
3. What is your favorite thing about your job?
I love being able to connect with the communities I cover and tell the stories that are often overlooked by larger news outlets. Being hyper-local gives us the flexibility to cover stories with local impact, even if there isn’t much of a news hook beyond our specific city. For example, we often get news tips about police or fire activity in our towns. The response may seem big for an area like Mountlake Terrace or Lynnwood, and those who saw it probably want to know what happened. However, depending on what the story is, it may not get picked up by regional news sources. It’s gratifying to be able to fill in those gaps for our communities.
4. What is your interview style?
Someone recently called me a “professional listener.” I think that hits the nail on the head. I take pride in knowing I heard everything my sources wanted me to hear.
5. What do you look for in a story?
I love when a story has an underlying thread of passion, whether it’s a passion for a project or a new business or a community group. I love interviewing sources who know exactly what they’re doing and why they’re doing it, and I feel like these stories often have a big impact.
6. What is your day like at your job?
I primarily work from home, but am often outside covering stories. In short, there’s no such thing as a normal day. We have a very small staff, which means we all wear many hats. You can bet that a good chunk of my day is spent at the computer looking through photos, writing, editing and publishing stories, though I will also be seen around town, covering events and government meetings.
7. Who do you most look up to in the journalism industry?
Grad school, my previous internships in Boston and early work in the Seattle area have given me many wonderful people to look up to and seek advice from as I progress through my journalism career. However, I will say reading Susan Orlean’s work helped me survive grad school.
8. What is your favorite news outlet?
I stick to the classics for my regular news consumption: The New York Times, The Washington Post and NPR. When I have time, I love diving into Vox and watching Vox videos. I love the way they use the digital space to dig deep into national issues.
9. Fill in the blank:
- If I am not reporting, I am…walking the dog or cooking.
- If I could interview anyone, it would be…John Oliver.
- My favorite thing about the Pacific Northwest is…hiking and craft beer.
10. What is your guilty pleasure?
Playing video games. I’m a big Nintendo nerd.