#MediaMonday – Becky Pallack
Happy #MediaMonday! This feature comes to us from Becky Pallack, co-founder of Southern Arizona nonprofit newsroom, Arizona Luminaria.
Becky, time to share!
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Yuma, Arizona. I went to Yuma High School, where the mascot is the criminals.
How did you get your start in working in media/local news? Tell us your story and experience.
I got my start at community newspapers, and that’s still where my heart is.
I was an intern at the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff and later got hired to cover education. From there I landed in Tucson, and I spent almost 18 years at the Arizona Daily Star covering cops, government, business, higher ed, a little bit of everything. I loved being a beat reporter!
A turning point came when I co-founded ThisIsTucson.com and moved into product management, supporting innovation in how the newsroom reached people through apps, newsletters, podcasts, and social media. I also got a crash course in the business side of local journalism.
Then, five years ago, I took a leap and co-founded Arizona Luminaria — a bilingual, women-led nonprofit newsroom for Southern Arizona. It’s where I put it all to work: the community-news roots, the beat reporting, and the audience-first product work.
Tell us about your role at Arizona Luminaria. What types of stories are you/your outlet interested in? Would you like to be pitched?
I wear many hats at Arizona Luminaria. I’m the operations person, I do grant writing, sell sponsorships, finance and bookkeeping, some reporting and editing when I can, and whatever else needs doing.
Arizona Luminaria is focused on public affairs topics, mostly in Tucson, especially education, the environment, border and immigration, voting, and all kinds of community topics. We try to include local, state or national context that helps our audience.
You can always pitch us at info@azluminaria.org, which goes to all three editors here. If you’re interested in sponsoring local projects, I want to hear from you about that, too.
Favorite or memorable stories you’ve covered that have really stuck with you?
Lately I’ve been enjoying putting together voter guides and we’re hearing from our audience about how much they are using and appreciating these resources. I like thinking about news and information as a resource that people use to take action for themselves and their communities.
Best advice for PR people pitching you?
Include the word Tucson (or another Arizona geography) in the subject line because “local” is the first thing I look for.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love to read and lately I have been listening to audiobooks while driving, walking my dog, cooking, exercising, or any other free moment. This year I’ve been on a Louise Penny mystery binge. Ooh and Luis Alberto Urrea books. I like a mix of literary fiction and nonfiction. I was so excited when Arizona Luminaria received a mention in “The Next Journalism: How the Press Must Change to Serve Democracy,” by Tom Rosenstiel.
Favorite local spots?
My partner and I love breakfast dates in Tucson, and my favorites are Le Buzz, Yellow Brick Coffee, Snooze, Beyond Bread, and Ren Coffeehouse.
What is the best way to reach you?
bpallack@azluminaria.org, bpallack@gmail.com, or any social media.
