As the Story Goes: USU Broadcast Journalism Undergrad Pursues TV News Internship

Landing a competitive internship with a top Salt Lake City media outlet, says Utah State University undergraduate Hannah Webb, occurred through “a random series of events.”

“I was shadowing USU faculty mentor Erin Cox while she was reporting for KSL-TV news at the September 2025 Turning Point event at the USU Spectrum,” says Webb, who is majoring public relations, social media and journalism with a media/news emphasis, with a communications minor.

At the event on campus just 20 days after political activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, emotions ran high.

“Looking back, I didn’t realize how significant the event was in the moment,” she says. “I felt privileged to be there as part of the media and to see how a major news event was covered behind the scenes.”

Knowing Cox was busy with the high-pressure assignment, Webb focused on observing each detail.

“I was excited to shadow her because it gave me a first-hand look at what reporting in a fast-paced environment is really like,” she says.

While surveying the crowd and media, Webb noticed KUTV reporter Heidi Hatch at work.

“I’ve admired her work on TV and I knew she was very busy,” Webb says. “But I knew I would regret not taking the opportunity to introduce myself.”

She approached Hatch and asked if she could watch the seasoned reporter work.

“Heidi graciously agreed and gave me her contact information,” Webb says. “I reached out to her the very next day and I’m glad I did, because that encounter eventually led to my internship at KUTV and an important mentorship. It’s been one of the best learning experiences I’ve ever had. I want to be Heidi Hatch when I grow up.”

Currently a summer newsroom intern, Webb works with different reporters on a wide variety of news stories.

“Watching reporters tackle the day-to-day challenges of news reporting has shown me that success in journalism comes from staying motivated and always looking for ways to improve,” she says. “It has inspired me to work harder every day and become the best reporter I can be.”

Webb says her USU classes prepared her well for the fast-paced environment.

“I understand every single position in the newsroom, why each job is important and what’s expected of each member of the news team,” she says. “I walked into KUTV on my first day completely shocked at how much I understood and immediately thanked Professor Brian Champagne for being the best teacher.”

Webb says Champagne, professional practice professor in the Department of Communication and Media, demands excellence in students.

“He pushes me to be the best I can be, while always supporting and encouraging me along the way,” she says.

At KUTV, Webb continues reporting related to the Charlie Kirk tragedy — this time, following the trial of Kirk’s accused killer, Tyler Robinson.

“I had the opportunity to accompany Hatch and fellow KUTV reporter Liv Kelleher as they reported on Robinson’s preliminary hearing held earlier this month in a Provo, Utah courtroom,” she says. “It was an incredible experience to be part of such an important story that is drawing national attention.”

Not every story sparks national headlines, Webb says.

“Last month, I traveled with a reporter to the tiny community of Goshen in rural Utah County, where residents were dealing with an unknown person shooting neighborhood cats,” she says. “Stories like this may not rise to the international media stream, but they’re important to their communities and reinforce the importance of providing a vehicle for people to share what matters to them.”