#MediaMonday – Mason Carroll
Happy #MediaMonday! This feature comes to us from Mason Carroll, the Northern Arizona bureau reporter for Arizona’s Family.
Mason, time to share!
Where did you grow up?
Lubbock, Texas
How did you get your start in working in media/broadcasting? Tell us your story and experience.
I first got into journalism in high school. I started in newspaper and then was lucky my school district had a TV program where I could report and put together packages like I do now. For college, I attended the University of Texas at Austin and got a journalism degree specializing in broadcast. After graduating, I moved to Redding, California for my first reporter job at KRCR. There I covered mega fires like the Dixie Fire, crime, and environmental issues. I moved to Flagstaff in summer of 2023 to become the Northern Arizona bureau reporter for Arizona’s Family.
Tell us about your role at Arizona’s Family. What types of stories are you interested in or would like to be pitched?
In the bureau, we basically cover Prescott to Page and everything in between. With a wide coverage area, we do all kinds of stories from weather, tourism, housing costs, and much more. My favorite part of this position is being able to give the voices in Northern Arizona a platform and highlight local issues that often get overlooked at a statewide level.
Any memorable or favorite coverage moments, past or recent?
Fire coverage is my favorite because while it’s hard, it’s also one of the most impactful things that can happen to a community. I’ve covered more fires than I can count in California. In Arizona, we spent over a month covering the Dragon Bravo Fire last year. It was a story that impacted locals, people across the state and really people all over the world who had memories from the North Rim. After a week or so, other outlets were just doing updates while we were driving all over Northern Arizona highlighting the communities that were hurting because of this fire.
Best advice for PR people pitching you?
Think “what is the impact of this story and pitch.” We report on things because they impact someone, a community, policy or have other impacts.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love to hike, travel, read and spend time with my husband and cat. Flagstaff is the perfect place for someone like me who loves to be outside. Coming from West Texas where everything is very landlocked, I love how quickly I can get to places like Sedona, the Grand Canyon and Utah.
Do you have any favorite local spots?
For Flagstaff, Fat Bagel is my favorite spot in town. My dad is from New York, and I spent my last semester of college in Manhattan so I’m kind of a bagel snob and Fat Bagel is the best.
For hiking, Kachina Trail and Little Elden are some of my go-tos. Sandy Canyon is probably my favorite and is a well-kept secret not many people outside Flagstaff know about.
What is the best way to reach you?
Email me at mason.carroll@azfamily.com
