Stars of the Star

Erika Wurst is the Public Safety Reporter for the Arizona Daily Star. She recently moved back to Arizona after working with Sun-Times Media. Erika and David talk about the Public Safety beat, who she is in daily contact with and the stories she works on. Erika also talks about her love of storytelling and how she got started as a journalist. 

Watch and Listen to all episodes on Tucson.com.

Pascal Albright is the Digital Producer for the Arizona Daily Star and the producer of Stars of the Star. Pascal started at the Star in 2022, previously working as the Journalist Product Manager for the Sierra Vista Herald Review. David and Pascal talk about the duties of a digital producer, what it is like working behind the camera and the impact of visual/digital journalism. Pascal discusses their favorite assignments and the perks of having a variety of digital skills that help the newsroom reach its digital goals. 

Watch and Listen to all episodes on Tucson.com.

Norma Coile is the Metro Team Leader for the Arizona Daily Star. Norma is a veteran to the Star having worked at the Tucson Citizen previously and talks to David about her long career in local journalism. David and Norma also discuss the writing process, the impact of local journalism and how she manages her team of all-star reporters.

Watch and Listen to all episodes on Tucson.com.

Michael Schmelzle is a copy editor for the Arizona Daily Star. Michael has been with the Star since 2009, following in his father’s footsteps – who worked at the Tucson Citizen. He has spent most of his time working with sports stories until recently adopting more digital duties. David and Michael talk about the importance of copy editors, how the transition to working with more digital elements has been for Michael and what lies ahead for the copy desk. 

Watch and Listen to all episodes on Tucson.com.

PJ Brown is a sports reporter for the Arizona Daily Star. She joined the Star in 2016, after working at an accounting firm while taking a break from sports reporting. PJ's journalism journey started when she was a kid following her older brother around the house watching sports, which progressed to her playing sports and then combining her love for sports and writing and becoming a sports reporter. PJ and David talk about Title IX coverage, her journalism journey and the excitement of the job and what it's like covering all-star athletes and sports in Tucson. 

Watch and Listen to all episodes on Tucson.com.

Stars of the Star, a look inside the Arizona Daily Star Newsroom, talking to the people who tell Tucson’s Story. This podcast is made possible by David McCumber, Executive Editor and produced by Pascal Albright. Thank you for listening to Stars of the Star, an Arizona Daily Star podcast. Listen to all episodes wherever you stream podcasts. For more local journalism visit Tucson.com and support by subscribing. Follow us on Social Media @ArizonaDailyStar for more content and Don’t forget to Subscribe, Comment on, Like and Share this podcast.

Mamta Popat is a Photographer for the Arizona Daily Star. She started her career at the Star in 2003 and has seen the Star evolve from film cameras to digital. Mamta and David talk about the excitement of the job, how the job has changed over the years, memorable assignments and the importance of her work for the community.

Watch and Listen to all episodes on Tucson.com.

Brett Fera is the Sports Editor for the Arizona Daily Star. Brett is originally from California, he moved to Arizona for school, eventually working at the University of Arizona as the Student Media Advisor before working with the Arizona Daily Star. David and Brett talk about Fera’s journalism journey, the impact of the job and how Brett manages a team that covers local sports and other exciting projects. 

Watch and Listen to all episodes on Tucson.com.

Grace Trejo is a photographer for the Arizona Daily Star. Trejo is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona and joined the Arizona Daily Star in 2023. Grace has covered many assignments since joining the Star including sporting events, protests and summer heat photos. David and Grace talk about the workload, how Grace transitioned into the role, and what Grace looks forward to as a photographer for the Arizona Daily Star.

Watch and Listen to all episodes on Tucson.com.

Stars of the Star, a look inside the Arizona Daily Star Newsroom, talking to the people who tell Tucson’s Story. This podcast is made possible by David McCumber, Executive Editor and produced by Pascal Albright. Thank you for listening to Stars of the Star, an Arizona Daily Star podcast. Listen to all episodes wherever you stream podcasts. For more local journalism visit Tucson.com and support by subscribing. Follow us on Social Media @ArizonaDailyStar for more content and Don’t forget to Subscribe, Comment on, Like and Share this podcast.

JT Thorpe is a Copy Editor for the Arizona Daily Star. A recent graduate from the University of Arizona, JT joined the Arizona Daily Star in 2023 and has helped the newsroom with their vast experience. David and JT talk about the importance of the copy team, JT’s reporting experience and the exciting things to come for them.

Watch and Listen to all episodes on Tucson.com.

Stars of the Star, a look inside the Arizona Daily Star Newsroom, talking to the people who tell Tucson’s Story. This podcast is made possible by David McCumber, Executive Editor and produced by Pascal Albright. Thank you for listening to Stars of the Star, an Arizona Daily Star podcast. Listen to all episodes wherever you stream podcasts. For more local journalism visit Tucson.com and support by subscribing. Follow us on Social Media @ArizonaDailyStar for more content and Don’t forget to Subscribe, Comment on, Like and Share this podcast.

Charles Borla is the local government reporter for the Arizona Daily Star. He started covering public safety for the Arizona Daily Star after graduating from the University of Arizona in 2022. David and Charlie talk about his current role, how he navigates the Tucson community and what is to come for Charlie at the Arizona Daily Star.

Watch and Listen to all episodes on Tucson.com.

Stars of the Star, a look inside the Arizona Daily Star Newsroom, talking to the people who tell Tucson’s Story. This podcast is made possible by David McCumber, Executive Editor and produced by Pascal Albright. Thank you for listening to Stars of the Star, an Arizona Daily Star podcast. Listen to all episodes wherever you stream podcasts. For more local journalism visit Tucson.com and support by subscribing. Follow us on Social Media @ArizonaDailyStar for more content and Don’t forget to Subscribe, Comment on, Like and Share this podcast.