YNN.com

Senior Reporter/Field Anchor

Bill is a two-time Emmy winner, with 30 years experience covering Central New York. He was News Director at WHEN Radio, then WTVH-TV, and for six years was Senior Reporter at WIXT. Most-recently Bill was News Director of WSYR radio in Syracuse.

Videojournalist

For Brad Vivacqua, connecting with the viewers of YNN means everything to him. Brad is the weekday morning reporter at YNN and doesn't mind waking up early every morning to deliver a breaking news story or an interesting feature.

Brad started at YNN in July of 2004 and began his reporting career in our Mohawk Valley newsroom. Brad is from Frankfort, N.Y in Herkimer County. He's a graduate of Frankfort-Schuyler High School, Herkimer County Community College and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Before coming to YNN, Brad held numerous internships at Central New York television stations WUTR, WKTV, and WSTM. In college, Brad served as a public address announcer for the SU athletics department.

In addition to his usual morning routine, Brad continues to fill various roles with us. He can be found at the anchor desk, in the traffic studio, and has also served as a sports anchor. Brad had the opportunity to follow the SU Men's basketball team in Worcester, MA and in Memphis, TN during the NCAA tournaments in 2005 and in 2009. He remains a big fan of SU basketball and football and one of his favorite experiences was being a student during the school’s national championship in 2003.

In his spare time, Brad enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and staying in shape.

Brad is always on the lookout for the latest in technology and social media. He’s had experience using Internet technology to do live reports during the NYS Fair, and shot and edited an entire package using an Apple iPhone.

You can send him ideas or find out more about where each day takes him at twitter.com/BradInCuse.

Videojournalist

Sarah joined the YNN team in 2010 as a reporter for the Mohawk Valley Newsroom. She's excited to be a part of the news program she's watched since her days as a student at Syracuse University, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Journalism. Her interest in the news began early -- before reporting for SU's CitrusTV, she anchored her high school and middle school newscasts.

Sarah spent the last two years reporting and anchoring for WICZ-TV in Binghamton where she covered stories ranging from the shootings at the American Civic Association to the massive layoffs at Lockheed Martin's Owego plant.

When not keeping up to date on the latest news, Sarah enjoys traveling, reading, watching movies, and hearing from members of the community. Feel free to let her know about what Mohawk Valley issues are important to you by e-mailing sarah.blazonis@ynn.com.

Videojournalist

Erin Clarke joined the YNN team as a reporter in 2010. Although she’s originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., Erin is no stranger to Syracuse. She graduated from SU’s Newhouse School of Public Communication in 2007 with a Master's Degree in Broadcast Journalism. Erin is excited to be back in the city where she learned to be a reporter and a part of the news program she watched while attending graduate school.

Prior to joining YNN, Erin had a short stint as a freelance reporter for News 12 Long Island where she hosted a public affairs talk show. Simultaneously, Erin worked as the weekend anchor and a reporter for WICZ-TV in Binghamton. While there, she covered the high profile murder re-trial of Tioga County businessman, Cal Harris, the American Civic Association Shootings and received an Associated Press Award for her story about a Chenango County man accused of distributing child pornography online.

Erin is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She enjoys exercising, volunteer work and getting to know people in the community. Feel free to reach out to her at erin.clarke@ynn.com.

Videojournalist

Brian Dwyer is a videojournalist in our Watertown newsroom. Brian comes to YNN from WSTM in Syracuse where he was a member of the sports department. Brian, a Central New York native, earned his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and Broadcasting from SUNY Oswego.

Videojournalist

Katie Gibas joined the YNN team in February of 2009 in the Watertown newsroom. She now works at YNN Headquarters in Syracuse as the nightside reporter.

Katie attended Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism. She double minored in Management and in Conflict Resolution. Before she joined the YNN team, Katie held numerous internships at stations in Buffalo, Syracuse and Binghamton. She also interned with NBC in Beijing, China for the 2008 Summer Olympics. She also worked with the Buffalo Bills NFL football team in the Media Relations Department.

Originally from Buffalo, Katie is thrilled to be in Upstate New York. In her spare time, she teaches skiing at Song Mountain in Tully. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, figure skating and watching football and hockey.

Videojournalist

Lara Greenberg joined YNN in May 2010 as a reporter in the Elmira/Corning bureau. Lara is originally from New Jersey, but has spent much of her time in the Central New York area. She received her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University, with minors in music industry and Spanish.

During her time at SU, she interned with the nationally syndicated Elvis Duran and the Morning Show radio show, PIX-11, the CW affiliate in Manhattan, and YNN. Interning with YNN made her realize reporting is a passion, and she is happy to be doing it daily.

Outside of work, Lara enjoys traveling, live theater, the Jersey shore, and a good book. While in the area, she hopes to explore the Finger Lakes and go on a wine tour or two!

Videojournalist
Candace Hopkins joined the YNN team in April of 2011 as a reporter in the Oswego newsroom. She comes to New York from her native state of Rhode Island, where she spent two years as an assignment editor at WPRI-TV in Providence. Candace attended American University in Washington D.C. where she received her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, with a minor in history. During college she spent a summer teaching English to students on the island of Mauritius, a semester abroad in Ireland, and she traveled to Lebanon. She is excited to now be exploring Upstate New York and the Oswego area specifically! In her spare time, you’ll find Candace cheering on her favorite sports team, the Boston Red Sox, traveling, and skiing. You can email her at candace.hopkins@ynn.com with story ideas and comments. She looks forward to hearing from you!

Videojournalist
Melissa joined YNN in July 2011 as a reporter in the Binghamton newsroom. She is originally from Pennsylvania, and is very excited to start her reporting career in the Southern Tier.

Melissa graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University in May 2011 with a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism. During her time at SU, Melissa was an active member of the student television station Citrus TV, where she anchored weekly live newscasts and hosted the morning talk show "Juice and Java." Melissa also completed internships with WFMZ-TV and B104FM in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys traveling, shopping, and attending concerts.

You can send her news tips or comments at melissa.kakareka@ynn.com.

Videojournalist

Tamara joined the YNN news team in 2008, and has since enjoyed covering breaking news and local stories all over central New York.

She comes to us from New York City, where she earned a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. A native Californian,
Tamara received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from UCLA. She began her career as a reporter for UCLAtv, and spent time as a field producer for documentaries before moving to the east coast.

Tamara has covered several high-profile cases, including the murder trials of Blazej Kot and Randy Thibeault. She was part of the team providing around-the-clock coverage of the Binghamton ACA shooting and aftermath, and is a recipient of a Syracuse Press Club Award for her story on Ithaca’s film history.

Videojournalist

Kat is new to Syracuse, but not to YNN. In 2007, Kat opened the YNN Elmira/Corning Newsroom and spent the past two years helping to establish the channel’s presence in that market. Now, she’s moved up to YNN headquarters as the nightside reporter in Syracuse.

Kat attended Northwestern University in Chicago, where she graduated in December 2003 with a Bachelor's in Journalism and September 2004 with a Broadcast Journalism Master's degree. During college and graduate school, Kat reported for a station in Topeka, Kan., interned at News 12, Long Island, and covered Washington, D.C. for television and radio stations in El Paso, Texas and Aspen, Colo.

After graduation, Kat packed up and moved out west. She spent two years in Casper, Wyo. as an anchor, reporter and producer for KTWO-TV.

Kat’s immediate family remains on Long Island, with relatives spread across the tri-state area. She says she’s thrilled to be able to go back downstate and visit, and excited to get to know Syracuse and Central New York.

Videojournalist

Bill Mich joined the YNN team in October of 2010 as a reporter in the Elmira/Corning Newsroom. Bill grew up in the Philadelphia area but spent plenty of time in Central New York while attending Syracuse University. Bill earned his bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism, with a minor in history.

Bill interned with the Camden Riversharks baseball team editing video and sound clips and is now thrilled to have his first on-air reporting job as part of the YNN team.

When Bill is not reporting, you can find him out on the golf course or supporting his beloved Philadelphia sports teams. Feel free to contact him at any time at william.mich@ynn.com

Elyse Mickalonis joined YNN in January 2012 as a Videojournalist in the Binghamton newsroom.

Elyse is a graduate of the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University, receiving her M.A. in Journalism in 2011. She also holds a B.A. in Journalism from the State University of New York at Purchase College. In 2011 she finished MADE IN DETROIT, a mini-documentary on Detroit’s automotive industry. In 2010 Elyse completed a documentary titled SURVIVING AMERICANA: EAST COAST DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATERS. In 2009, she was honored with the Mike McNickle Journalism Award from SUNY Purchase for her dedication to service and high standards.

Before joining YNN, Elyse interned at The Legislative Gazette, NBC’s Dateline, and YNN Albany, in addition to freelancing for several online publications. Originally from the Albany area, Elyse is now looking forward to exploring the Southern Tier. In her spare time, Elyse enjoys tweeting, playing guitar, running, and visiting drive-in theaters. If you have any suggestions or ideas for stories, please don’t be shy and send them her way!

Videojournalist

Amanda Kelley joined the YNN team in June of 2010 in our Watertown Newsroom. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast News from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2010 at Kent State University, with a minor in Sports Administration. Previously, Amanda has worked with Fox Sports Network in Pittsburgh and WFMJ in Youngstown, Ohio. She is excited to begin her career in Upstate New York.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Amanda is an avid sports fan and enjoys spending time with her family and friends cheering on her favorite hometown teams. She also enjoys reading, exercising, and exploring all of the new experiences the North Country has to offer. Feel free to reach out to her at amanda.kelley@ynn.com.

Videojournalist

Iris St. Meran joined the YNN team in February 2008. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Iris moved to Central New York after working at New England Cable News as a Digital Media Producer and Desk Assistant. During her time there, Iris had the opportunity to be a field producer at the 2008 Presidential Primary in New Hampshire.

Iris graduated cum laude from Emerson College, majoring in broadcast journalism with a concentration in music. While at Emerson, she spent some time at the Los Angeles campus and interned at CNN. She also interned at WCVB-TV, Boston's ABC affiliate.

When she is not working, Iris enjoys singing, listening to live music and spending time with her friends and family. As a Bostonian, Iris loves to cheer for the Red Sox and the Patriots. She is excited to be in Central New York and hopes to learn to ice skate!

Andrew Sorensen joins YNN’s Mohawk Valley bureau from Colorado, where he studied broadcast news and peace and conflict studies and the University of Colorado, Boulder. He's thrilled to now cover the news in such a beautiful area as Central New York.

Prior to YNN, he interned with KCNC in Denver and CBS News in New York.

Andrew has a passion for politics, economics and world issues. He loves to travel, having visited and photographed Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania, Spain, Canada and England.

If you have story ideas, or see an issue in our community you would like to see addressed, feel free to contact him at andrew.sorensen@ynn.com.

Cara Thomas joined YNN as the reporter for our North Country Newsroom in Potsdam. She is originally from the Rochester area and began her news career with YNN Rochester as a photographer. Cara graduated from Messiah College with a double major in Broadcast Journalism and Theatre.

During Cara's senior year of college, she spent the summer interning at YNN. She learned a lot of great lessons about news and life during her experience. Working alongside such a talented crew encouraged Cara to pursue reporting.

Cara loves to report on positive stories happening in North Country and strives to look for a positive outlook in any situation. Outside of work, Cara loves to go to the theatre, read a good romance novel, and play board games with friends.

Videojournalist

Chris joined the YNN team in July 2011 as a News/Sports Videojournalist in the Binghamton newsroom but is no stranger to the area. He grew up on Binghamton’s south side and went Binghamton High School before attending Syracuse University, where he graduated from in 2008 with a degree in Broadcast Jounalism and a minor in History.

Before joining YNN, Chris spent two and a half years at WICZ in Binghamton where he served as a reporter and weekend sports anchor. While at WICZ, he won an Associated Press award and was also named a Reader’s Choice winner for favorite television personality two years in a row.

When he’s not working, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, playing with his dog, and golfing. Feel free to send him ideas for news or sports stories by emailing chris.whalen@ynn.com.