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April 4, 2024WMHT Public Media Promotes Shantel Destra to Managing Editor and Host of New York NOW
Albany, NY – WMHT Public Media, a multichannel public communications organization serving Eastern New York and Western New England, today announced the promotion of Shantel Destra to managing editor and host of its Emmy Award-winning public affairs program New York NOW, which airs on PBS stations across New York state.
A Brooklyn native, Destra joined New York NOW in August 2023 as a multimedia journalist. Since then, she has covered a wide range of issues – from housing and healthcare, to birth control access and women’s rights, to New York’s budget process and negotiations – interviewing elected officials and policymakers involved in critical decisions that affect all New Yorkers.
“As our New York NOW viewers have seen, Shantel is a smart and savvy reporter and interviewer who understands the issues and excels at conveying the impact they have on New Yorkers,” said Anthony V. Hayes, President and CEO of WMHT Public Media and Board Chair of the Association for Public Broadcasting Stations (APBS), which represents public broadcasters statewide. “Her promotion to managing editor and host of New York NOW reflects the valuable contributions she’s already made, as well as our confidence in her ability to further elevate this important program.”
Prior to joining New York NOW, Destra covered national politics and public policy issues that affect New York as a reporter for City & State. She did extensive reporting on competitive state Senate and Assembly races during the 2022 midterm election season, and covered New York-based congressional elections, which played a key role in determining control of the U.S. House of Representatives. She also gained reporting experience with THE CITY and Politico’s Summer Journalism Institute.
“I am honored and excited to begin my role as managing editor and host of New York NOW,” said Destra. “I firmly believe in the power of journalism to educate the public on key issues, encourage government transparency, and ensure elected officials and public policymakers are held accountable for decisions that impact the lives of New Yorkers. New York NOW provides a robust forum to do that, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.”
Destra earned a dual bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism and marketing management from the S.I. Newhouse and Whitman Schools at Syracuse University, and her master’s degree at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. She also served as co-president of the Columbia chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.
“Promoting Shantel to managing editor and host of New York NOW is a natural next step for WMHT and Shantel Destra’s career,” said Will Pedigo, Chief Content & Engagement Officer of WMHT Public Media. “Her knowledge of government and public policy, her interviewing and storytelling skills, and her ability to connect with our viewers has made her an invaluable member of the New York NOW team. We look forward to seeing her continue to shine in her new role.”
New York NOW airs Fridays at 7:30 p.m. on WMHT in the Capital Region and throughout the weekend on PBS affiliates across New York. The full schedule can be viewed at https://nynow.wmht.org/schedule/ New York NOW is also freely available to stream online and via the PBS video app.
