Melissa Buscher

Reporter

Professional Experience:
1998 to present: reporter (Fayetteville bureau, 1998 to 2003); 1994 to 1998: weekend anchor/reporter, WLBT-TV, Jackson, Miss.; 1992 to 1994: weekend anchor/reporter, WJHG-TV, Panama City, Fla.

Awards & Recognition:
Mississippi Association of Broadcasters Silver Medal for informational series, 1997;
First Place for general news story, Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters Association, 1996;
First place for a spot news story, Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters Association, 1994

News Philosophy:
So often, we hear the negative side of news. Although reporting what is wrong in our community is part of the job, I think it is equally important to showcase what is right. I enjoy telling stories about people and always strive to make my stories -- good or bad -- fair.

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism, double major in Economics, 1991, University of Miami, Coral Cables, Fla.

Birthplace:
Framingham, Mass.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement:
Scrapbooking, spending time with my children. We all love the beach.

Family:
Husband, Gregory; daughter, Tessa; son, Lleyton

Likes Best About North Carolina:
The people. We also enjoy being close to the beach and mountains.

Most Memorable Assignments:
A one-on-one interview with former Department of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld during the war on terrorism.