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Melissa Payne joined WHNT News 19 as a reporter in December 2011 after working as a weekend anchor and reporter at KDLT News in Sioux Falls, SD. Before heading south, Melissa also worked as a reporter at News 25 in Evansville, IN. Now, Melissa is ready to explore all of northern Alabama, as she covers the Shoals for WHNT News 19.
Melissa spent her college years cheering on the Cardinals at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. While at Ball State, Melissa studied telecommunications and reported and anchored for NewsLink Indiana.
Melissa also interned at WTVW in Evansville, Indiana and WANE-TV in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Always ready for an adventure, Melissa studied abroad in the Ghana for five months. Melissa says her experience in the African country was truly eye opening and humbling.
"This experience was more challenging than I ever expected, but I was excited to stretch myself to new lengths, step outside my comfort zone, and experience a culture so different than my own," said Payne.
While abroad, Melissa traveled all over West Africa, visiting rural villages, meeting tribal chiefs, and volunteering her time with Planting Technology International, a non-profit organization that builds computer labs and donates computers to schools in rural villages.
As a reporter, Melissa wants to tell the stories that mean the most to you. You can e-mail her your story ideas, and for news updates throughout the day, you can follow Melissa on Twitter: @melissapayn
