Scripps Career Stories: Bryan Horwath, KTNV senior reporter

Scripps’ Career Stories series features colleagues who have pursued unique career paths. Bryan Horwath is a senior reporter at KTNV in Las Vegas and a participant in the Journalism Journey Initiative (JJI).

JJI, a partnership between Scripps and Google, helps mid-career print journalists and managers transition into video-driven storytelling. Participants are immersed in hands-on work in the market and intense learning, mentoring and coaching.

 Applications are currently open for the second cohort of JJI. If you know of any print journalists who might be interested in the program in 2024 or beyond, have them apply here. They can contact Neal Bennett, senior acquisition talent partner, with any questions.

 Tell us a little about your career path.

In 2003, I was in college and worked part-time covering high school sports at a newspaper in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. From there I followed the traditional career path for my field – I held a bunch of different roles and worked my way from smaller to bigger markets.

 I started my first full-time job in 2007 at a paper in Stillwater, Minnesota, with a circulation of about 900. I’ve also worked at papers in Wisconsin, South Dakota and North Dakota, and I spent four years at a paper in Wichita. Then came the big shift – I moved to Las Vegas in 2019.

How did you hear about the Journalism Journey Initiative?

 At that point in my career, the industry was changing so much. Many people who worked at papers had left the industry altogether, but I’d always liked being a reporter. Neal Bennett, senior talent acquisition partner, reached out and told me about JJI. He said Scripps was looking for print journalists who were interested in transitioning to TV, and he thought I could be a good fit for the program. After more conversation and learning more about Scripps, I decided to apply, and it all worked out for me.

I’ve now been at KTNV for about nine months, reporting stories on camera. A year ago, I never would have thought I’d be doing this.

Is your experience in JJI what you expected?

I grew up watching local news, especially sports, and I was familiar with certain channels and anchors. I had never thought I’d be a TV reporter, but I thought it would be cool. I didn’t really know what to expect, even when I walked into the station on my first day. They threw me into the fire right away, which was a good way to learn. I started reporting stories pretty quickly. It was stressful at times. I was so far out of my comfort zone, being on camera, looking at myself and critiquing my body language – it was fun and exciting.

Everyone at the station has been really supportive, and the station and program leaders have made sure those of us in JJI have the tools we need to succeed.

What do you love about your role?

I really like being in the newsroom. It’s an escalation of what I experienced when I was still working at papers. Vegas is a growing city. There’s always something crazy and weird going on, always something to cover.

The newsroom is an interesting place with interesting people talking back and forth about what is and isn’t important. What stories we should feature versus stories we should stay away from. No day is ever the same – it’s cliché but true. You never know what your day will look like. There’s pressure, but it’s pressure that makes you feel alive. This is not a boring job.

What about your experience has surprised you?

There’s a stereotypical view that a lot of print reporters have about TV reporters – that they “do less work.” After doing this for nine months, I can confirm that TV reporting is a LOT of work. You’re working with people in many other departments, like production and photographers. So many details have to come together, and you need to be on the ball. You arrive at the station, have the morning meeting and things build from there throughout the day. It all comes together like magic.

Also, there’s a stereotype of reporters and anchors looking a certain way. I wondered, “What are they going to do with me?” And Scripps told me they want people who are their authentic selves. That made me feel I can be myself and they’ll help me smooth any rough edges.

What roles have Scripps leaders played in your career growth and development?

There have been times where I go home at night and think, “What did I get myself into?” And Neal and Jim Iovino, the JJI program director, have been so supportive, helping me see that I have it in me to do this well. My news director, Jessie Williams, and others have helped me along the way, and have patience with me when I need it. It’s so much easier to believe in yourself when others believe too. I feel that support here.

 What guidance would you give to colleagues who want to grow their careers in a different direction?

I can’t give universal advice, but one thing I would say is, when I started the JJI program, I had all these thoughts about whether I would fit into this world. I didn’t see myself as a magnetic personality – but I learned that I can be. It’s not a huge stretch. I would say to take time and stick with your goals. Let folks hold your hand a bit. Take the risk. If I can do it, other people can do it.

 What else would you like to share with us?

 I’ve always been a sports geek. I’m a huge sports person and love to watch it in person or on TV.

My biggest challenge at work is appearing, and being, comfortable on camera. I’m still learning how to do that in a market where big, international stories happen all the time. My first couple of times in front of the camera, I asked the camera person so many questions. “Where do I stand? On the curb or at street level? What do I do with my hands?” I’m working on my confidence all the time.

Journalism is at such a strange point and is changing so much and it’s going to continue to change with AI and other advances. There are so many fewer newspaper reporter jobs. It hurts everyone, our whole society, when journalism is weakened. With JJI we’re asking people who’ve been print reporters to report in a different way. It’s refreshing to see a company like Scripps say journalism is important and put resources, time and energy into a program like this. It’s nice to be a part of this. I’m happy to be here.

If you’re interested in hearing more about Bryan’s career story, contact him at bryan.horwath@ktnv.com.