Our internship program provides college and high school students with practical journalism experience. More than just writing news stories, the program teaches students how to talk to people, conduct interviews, and conduct themselves professionally.
Here’s what our interns are learning and why they joined:
Skills Development
- Interns are trained to conduct interviews, write news articles, and learn the workflow of a local newsroom.
- They practice fact-based reporting and clear, objective writing, particularly for Small Business Spotlight articles.
- Interns receive personalized feedback, with a focus on creating impactful headlines and mastering the posting process.
Program Insights
During a recent meeting, we discussed professional communication and journalistic integrity.
- Interns were shown how to manage their own story assignments and update progress using an organized posting group.
- Kiser emphasized the importance of clear communication, explaining, “As journalists, we strike out all the extra words and get straight to the point.”
Why They Joined
Each intern shared their unique reasons for joining Potomac Local News:
- Jazbia Fasih Chaudhry, from Colgan High School in Woodbridge, said, “I wanted to try something new and gain journalism experience.”
- Rosa Rivera, from Osbourn High School in Manassas, joined because she aspires to pursue a writing career: “This internship is a great opportunity to build my skills for the future.”
- Aya Karouane, of Stafford, recently promoted to Content Manager, noted, “I joined to learn more about my community. Now, I feel more connected to what’s happening locally.”
Real-World Challenges
The interns practice reaching out to local businesses for interviews, facing the real-world challenge of obtaining responses.
- “The hard part is getting people to respond,” Kiser told the group, “but persistence pays off, especially when promoting unique local businesses.”
Our interns are looking to interview small bsuiness owners to write stories about businesses in our community. We’re providing This FREE service to the community in exchange for allowing our interns to interview them. If interested, please email us.
Simply submit your event through our quick and easy form to get it in front of thousands of local readers. Events posted on our calendar can also be featured in our weekly newsletters, reaching an even broader audience across Prince William County, Stafford, Manassas, and Fredericksburg.
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Dear Members,
We seek your insights on the ongoing challenges with the Stafford County Public Schools transportation system. As many of you know, the start of the school year was marked by significant bus scheduling issues, leaving 3,000 children without transportation, as reported in late August. This has continued with late buses and some that never showed, profoundly affecting students and families.
Recently, the Stafford County School Board Chair, Maureen Siegmund, acknowledged these ongoing problems and discussed the potential for an independent investigation into what went wrong. The board is considering various steps to address the issues, which include software malfunctions and staff shortages that have significantly disrupted daily routines.
Your experiences are precious to us and to our community. Whether your child’s bus was late or didn’t show up, or if you’ve had to make alternative arrangements, we want to hear from you. You can simply share your story (please include your name, your child’s age, and the name of your child’s school) by texting 571-989-1695 or emailing us.
If you like, you may indicate if you are open to being contacted for an interview. Your voice is crucial in our continued coverage and advocacy for solutions.
Thank you for helping us gather this vital information and supporting local journalism.
Best regards,
Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher
Potomac Local News
Dear Potomac Local News Readers,
We’re excited to introduce our new History and Heritage Feature Series, exploring our region’s rich history and cultural heritage. This initiative wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of Sentara, whose commitment to local education helps bring these stories to life.
Our inaugural article features the historic Rippon Lodge in Woodbridge, one of Prince William County’s oldest homes, dating back to the 1740s. The County’s Historic Preservation Division has announced exciting plans for a new addition to the site: a Nature and Interpretive Center. This new facility will merge historical education with environmental stewardship, serving as a hub for learning and exploration. It aims to deepen our understanding of the site’s historical significance while promoting a greater appreciation for our natural environment.
We invite you to read the full article on our website and follow the series as we uncover and celebrate the legacy of Prince William County, Stafford County, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg.
Thank you for your continued support of local journalism. Your engagement is crucial as we preserve and share our community’s fascinating history.
Warm regards,
Uriah Kiser
Founder and Publisher
Potomac Local News
We’re thrilled to introduce our new intern, Jazbia Fasih Chaudhry, a 17-year-old senior from Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School in Prince William County.
With a passion for journalism and mechanical engineering, Jazbia is excited to dive into community reporting. Reflecting on why journalism matters, she says, “Community journalism is important because it helps people stay informed about what’s happening in their neighborhoods. It gives a voice to residents and helps build a sense of belonging.”
Jazbia’s interest in journalism is paired with a creative flair—she has experience in video editing and graphic design for her local mosque. Outside of journalism, she has a wide range of hobbies. “I absolutely love pilates, journaling, playing basketball, and listening to Brent Faiyaz,” she said. She also admits, “I watch too much Formula 1,” showing her passion for sports and competition.
When asked what she loves most about her community, Jazbia emphasized its diversity. “The best thing about my community is its diversity. I love learning new things about other cultures, religions, and ways of living. It helps people get past their differences and live together peacefully,” she said.
During her internship at Potomac Local News, Jazbia hopes to achieve something meaningful. “One thing I wish to have accomplished when I leave PLN is building good professional relationships and feeling more motivated to continue journalism.”
We’re excited to have her on board and look forward to the contributions she’ll make.
Dear Members,
Now that the weekend has arrived, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the work we’ve done together this week to keep our community informed, empowered, and connected. Our team has been hard at uncovering stories that matter to you and highlighting the vibrant life in our region.
Here’s a look at some of the top stories we’ve brought to you:
- Restoring a Landmark: We shared the exciting news about the restoration of Goolricks Pharmacy, one of Fredericksburg’s most beloved landmarks. Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy their famous old-fashioned milkshakes once again.
- First Fridays Under Scrutiny: In Manassas, we dove into the City Council’s discussion about public safety and management changes to the much-loved First Fridays event.
- Bringing Jobs and Growth: In Prince William County, ATCC announced a major investment in a new biomanufacturing facility, creating 75 new jobs and driving innovation in global health.
- Stafford School Transportation Failures: We delivered critical coverage on the Stafford County School Board Chair’s response to the transportation crisis that left more than 3,000 students without reliable rides to school. Calls for an independent investigation are mounting, and we’ll continue to follow this story closely.
- Shining a New Light: North Stafford High unveiled the largest school solar array in Virginia, an exciting leap toward sustainability, saving millions in energy costs over the next 25 years.
- Election Readiness: With elections on the horizon, we continued to help voters make informed decisions by sharing candidate surveys from both state and local leaders.
This is just a sample of the stories we’ve published to keep you informed about what’s happening in our community. Your support makes this possible. If you’re not already a supporting member, we invite you to join us and help sustain local journalism. You can sign up for our $103 annual plan or our $9 monthly plan. Every contribution helps us continue to bring you the news that matters.
Thank you for being a part of our journey.
Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher
Potomac Local News
On the night before school started, Potomac Local News was the first to report that Stafford County Public Schools left more than 3,000 students and their parents scrambling when it failed to provide bus transportation to students who expected to ride the school bus.
The school division waited until the last minute to inform parents, causing many to rush to adjust schedules and make alternate arrangements to get their children to school.
Questions about what happened have only grown in the weeks since this debacle. Despite our multiple requests, no elected county school board member has agreed to be interviewed by Potomac Local News.
We have not forgotten, and we believe you deserve answers. We’ll continue reporting on this critical issue and cover the upcoming county school board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Interestingly, as of this post, there is no scheduled discussion about the school bus issues on the meeting agendas.
The School Board will meet next Tuesday, September 10, 2024, for a 5:30 p.m. work session and a 7 p.m. meeting where the public may speak. Both meetings will be live-streamed. The broadcasts will also be live on local cable channels: Comcast channel 18, Cox channel 89, and Verizon channel 38—replays air on Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 1 p.m., and Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
You can read our previous reports for our continued coverage of this issue.
Thank you for your continued support of local news in our community. We are here to ensure you stay informed.
I’m excited to share that we’ve just published our sixth “Meet the Principal” post, and even more profiles are coming!
Our Manassas Local Editor, Caitlyn Meisner, is working diligently to spotlight nearly two dozen new principals who have just started their roles in Prince William County this year.
Additionally, Caitlyn has been hard at work posting the responses from the candidates for the Manassas City Council in our ongoing feature, the One-Question Candidate Survey. As voters look toward the future of their city, from taxes to schools, real estate development, and data centers, we’re committed to bringing you the answers that matter most.
Just to the south, Fredericksburg Local Editor Kelly Sienkowski works tirelessly to get answers from candidates running in the federal elections for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
We’re dedicated to connecting you to your community and ensuring you stay informed.
Three of the four candidates shared their thoughts in our second week of candidate survey responses. This feature series aims to help voters in the 7th District make an informed decision by providing insight into each candidate’s position on critical issues affecting our region.
- Explore our Meet the Principal Series to learn more about the individuals shaping education in our community.
- Check out our One-Question Candidate Survey to hear directly from the candidates for the Manassas City Council.
- See our 7th District Candidate Survey to hear from the candidates running for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
Your support helps us keep the community informed—please consider becoming a member today. Thank you for being part of Potomac Local News!
Dear Potomac Local News Readers,
We’re thrilled to roll out a new series titled “Meet the Principal,” crafted by our Manassas Local Editor, Caitlyn Meisner. This year, nearly two dozen new principals are stepping into their roles across Prince William County, shaping the future of our educational landscape. It’s a pivotal time to get acquainted with these educational leaders through our series.
Why Subscribe?
Our “Meet the Principal” series exemplifies the type of unique, local journalism we are committed to delivering—stories about the people and the decisions that directly impact you and your family. By subscribing, you help us continue this important work and gain complete access to all our content, including:
- In-depth reports on local government and school developments
- Updates and reviews about local restaurants and fun activities
- Profiles of community figures making a difference
- And much more!
Subscription Options:
- Locals Only Yearly Plan: For just $103 annually, unlock everything on our website and email newsletters. Enjoy content that delves deep into your community, supports local businesses, and helps you stay informed about what matters in Prince William County. Cancel anytime.
- Locals Only Monthly Plan: At $9 per month, get all the perks of the yearly plan but spread out monthly. It’s a small premium for flexibility.
In Today’s Feature: Meet Edward Schultz of Gainesville Middle School
Our first article features Edward Schultz, the new principal at Gainesville Middle School. With over two decades of experience in education, his story and vision for the future are not to be missed. Learn about his initiatives that aim to broaden student perspectives and prepare them for a successful future.
Don’t Miss Out:
Stay connected with every installment of this enlightening series—sign up for our FREE news email today. And please consider supporting our work by becoming a paid subscriber. Your contributions directly impact our ability to bring you exclusive, local reporting that makes a difference.
Questions, comments, or tips? Caitlyn is just an email away at [email protected].
Thank you for supporting local journalism. Together, let’s stay informed and engaged with the heart of our community.
Warm regards,
Uriah Kiser
Founder and Publisher, Potomac Local News
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And it doesn’t stop there. For only $79, your promoted announcement will be featured in all these places, ensuring maximum exposure for your message. If you’re looking for even more visibility, our Premium Announcements for $199 also get promoted on our Facebook and Twitter accounts, giving you access to our active social media audience.
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Submitting an announcement is simple and budget-friendly. Whether you’re a small business owner, a community leader, or an event organizer, you can share your news without breaking the bank. Plus, you can schedule your post to publish on a specific day and time, giving you complete control over your message.
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