Olivia Wilson

Olivia Wilson doing a standup at the 2022 Montevallo Christmas Parade

Olivia Wilson as a keynote speaker for the 2019 Birmingham, Alabama NEDA Walk

About Me

Hello, my name is Olivia Wilson. I am a recent graduate of the University of Montevallo. I graduated Magna Cum Laude in May of 2023 with a major in mass communication.

I am currently working as a digital content producer at WBRC Fox 6 News in Birmingham, Alabama.

I love creating and writing stories. As a journalist, I feel like it is my role to get information out to people so that they can make informed decisions about what is right for them.

This portfolio serves as a compilation of my work as a journalist in both student and professional capacities. Thank you for taking the time to look at what I have done.

Featured Articles

https://www.wbrc.com •

Alabama Mineral & Lapidary Society hosts gem show

IRONDALE, Ala. (WBRC) - The Irondale Civic Center is opening it’s doors for gem and mineral lovers for an event over Labor Day weekend. The Alabama Mineral & Lapidary Society, a nonprofit organization aimed at people with interests in geology and mineralogy, hosted a gem and mineral show from Sept. 1-3.

The show gave both experts and casual collectors the opportunity to see a variety of gems, minerals, and other handcrafted items. With over 100 tables filled with the work of different artists,
https://www.wbrc.com •

ALEA taking steps to ensure a safe Labor Day holiday weekend

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Labor Day holiday is September 4, but the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is preparing for crowded roads and waterways in advance.

The ALEA shared that the official holiday travel period begins on Friday, September 1, at 12:01 a.m. With more people on the roads ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor emphasized, “we want to remind everyone to plan ahead, allow yourself ample time to reach your destination and exercise considerate driving behavior towards other drivers and boaters
https://www.wbrc.com •

Jefferson Co. Sheriff’s Office: Man shot following domestic dispute

ADAMSVILLE, Ala. (WBRC) - On August 26 at 5:17 p.m., deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 2900 block of Sartain Drive to investigate a domestic shooting.

Upon arrival, deputies found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The man is reported to be in serious condition.

According to reports, the man told deputies that his girlfriend came out of the house and shot him following an argument. The shooting happened when the man and his friend were sitti
https://www.wbrc.com •

German-themed festival coming to Tuscaloosa

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) - Oktoberfest is coming to Tuscaloosa. The German-themed event, presented by Visit Tuscaloosa, will be held Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, from 11 a.m.- 5p.m.

Held at Druid City Social, the festival will include activities such as a 5k run to benefit the American Cancer Society, German-inspired food and drinks, and a dachshund race sponsored by the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter.

Kelsey Rush, the president and CEO of Visit Tuscaloosa, said, “We understand our community desir
https://www.wbrc.com •

Correctional officer arrested after stolen Pokémon cards found

CALHOUN COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - A Calhoun County Correctional Officer was terminated following a theft from the Oxford Walmart.

According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, officer Josh Hardy completed his shift on August 12, and went to Walmart. Hardy, still wearing his work uniform, was observed opening multiple packs of Pokémon cards and putting the individual cards into his pockets by Walmart’s loss prevention.

Hardy then proceeded to leave the store without paying for the cards. When h
https://www.wbrc.com •

The Birmingham Zoo welcomes 2 red panda cubs

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The Birmingham Zoo announced the addition of two red panda cubs on Saturday.

The cubs’ parents, Gizmo and Kodo, have been at Birmingham Zoo since 2020 and 2022 respectively. They were recommended to breed as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Red Panda Species Survival Plan. As an AZA member, Birmingham Zoo helps to support species management.

Zoological Manager of Predators, Scott Kayser, said, “This success with our red pandas is the culmination of coordi
https://www.wbrc.com •

2024 Main Street Now Conference to be held in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Birmingham has been chosen as the host city for the 2024 Main Street Now Conference. The conference will be hosted by Main Street America in partnership with Main Street Alabama and Sweet Home Alabama.

The conference is set to happen from May 6 to May 8, 2024.

Hannah White, Interim President and CEO of Main Street America, said, “Birmingham offers a unique host city experience, with opportunities to visit and learn from vibrant metropolitan commercial corridors and dy
https://www.wbrc.com •

Special election dates for House District 55

MONTGOMMERY, Ala. (WBRC) - Governor Kay Ivey signed an order to set special election dates for Alabama House District 55, which represents part of Jefferson Co.

The special primary election is set for Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, and the runoff is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. The special general election is planned for Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

Gov. Ivey’s proclamation comes after Fred Plump, who previously held the seat, resigned in May. Plump resigned after pleading guilty to charges of wi
https://www.wbrc.com •

Overnight crash in Jefferson Co. leaves 3 dead, 1 injured

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - UPDATE: The Jefferson County Coroner’s office confirmed Monday that the victims were all in their early 20s.

22-year-old Josiah Louis Phillips, of Birmingham, 22-year-old Anna Catherine Meyers, of Hoover, and 23-year-old Ashley Nicole Michelle Wyatt, of McCalla died as a result of the crash.

Original Story: Deputies with Jefferson Co. Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle car accident Saturday night.

Officers arrived at the scene of the accident, and they fo
https://www.wbrc.com •

Victim identified in apparent drive-by shooting in Midfield

MIDFIELD, Ala. (WBRC) - UPDATE: On Monday, the Jefferson County Corner’s office confirmed the victim to be 29-year-old Javaris Deon Patton.

Original Story: Deputies with Jefferson County Sheriff’s office are investigating a shooting that happened in the 1400 block of Rayfield Drive in Midfield.

Sheriffs found a 29-year-old male with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to reports from the Jefferson Co. Sheriff’s Office, it appears that the victim was struck during a
Vallo Vision News •

Shelby County Spotlight: Majestic Caverns

Desoto Caverns, recently renamed Majestic Caverns in order to reflect the beauty of the site, is a historical attraction located at the edge of Shelby County.

Located about an hour away from the University of Montevallo campus, the caverns are part of an amusement park that offers a variety of attractions for people of all ages to enjoy.

When visitors enter the park they are met with a scenic trail leading up to a visitor’s center with a café and gift shop. From there, they can purchase ticket
Vallo Vision News •

Growing vegan alternatives: Are there vegan options near Montevallo?

Choices for vegan food have been expanding over the past few years. According to Dining Alliance, a company that provides data and analytics to help restaurants, “the number of restaurants serving some kind of meat alternative jumped 26.4% from 2017 to 2019.” Sales of these products also increased by 286% over the same time.

A 2021 study of the most vegan states found that Alabama ranked 47 out of the 50 states, putting them at the bottom of the list. This is based on criteria including the num
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Environmental Club’s clean-up efforts

On February 17, the University of Montevallo’s Environmental Club held a clean-up event at Shoal Creek Park. The park is about a three-minute drive from campus, which makes it a nice spot for students to get out and enjoy nature.

Despite the cold, club members bundled up and gathered under the main pavilion to get their compostable trash bags and gloves. Walking the muddy trails, everyone searched for litter that people had left behind.

Except for some bottles and other remnants people discard
Vallo Vision News •

The Montevallo Christmas Parade highlights the community

The city of Montevallo held its annual Christmas parade on December 1.

In previous years, the event was a big attraction with about 77 floats last year according to Montevallo’s Mayor Rusty Nix. This year, people came in masses to get into the Christmas spirit.

The event was kicked off with a tree lighting where small businesses and people in the community were recognized.

In the previous weeks, businesses decorated their windows and storefronts in preparation for the holiday. The winners wer
Vallo Vision News •

The 2022 COMS Senior Showcase

Seniors in the communication studies department held their annual COMS Senior Showcase. The event took place in the Student Activity Center this past Thursday, Oct. 27, from 1-3 p.m.

The COMS senior showcase serves as the capstone for the senior seminar class, COMS 499. During the event, seniors shared the research they have done during their time at UM.

“This is an opportunity for the senior class to celebrate themselves and share with our public audience the accomplishments they have done th
Vallo Vision News •

University Bookstore unveils new sign

The University of Montevallo Bookstore, Freddie’s Books & More, partnered with Follet Higher Education in May of this year. Up until October 6, the bookstore had a banner to hold the place of a permanent sign.

Due to the City of Montevallo having to approve the design to align with the historical requirements, plans took longer than expected to complete.

The new sign features UM’s mascot, Freddie the Falcon, as a central part of the design.

Store Manager, Dan Fitts; says, “We promote the univ

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