Focus: Local government, public safety, immigration enforcement

Melissa covers local government in north-central Pennsylvania, examining public safety issues and how agencies work with the federal government on immigration enforcement.

Before joining Spotlight PA, Melissa worked at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where she covered breaking news and public safety. She has reported on law enforcement officers accused of using excessive force, misusing Florida’s driver database, and committing domestic violence.

A Miami native, Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Central Florida, where she studied computational sciences, communication, and women’s and gender studies.