Meet Stephanie! Stephanie is the small yet mighty leader of our editorial & news team.

Always willing to lend a hand, she brings decades of journalism experience + a winning attitude.

Stephanie Thompson is our Community News Director and she brings more than 20 years of journalism experience to the team.

Stephanie graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication with an emphasis in print journalism and a minor in English. While in college, she wrote for the university’s newspaper and during the summers she interned at a small, weekly newspaper.

Over the course of her career, Stephanie has worked for both daily and weekly print newspapers before making the switch to the digital newspaper platform. Throughout her career, Stephanie worked hard to advance from general assignment reporter, to people editor, and then editor. 

While in the print newspaper business, Stephanie was recognized and received many awards from the Wyoming Press Association, including spot news, new feature, feature, and government writing. She also received an award for best advertising concept. Not only has Stephanie received state recognition, but national as well. She received first place and third place in feature writing from the National Newspaper Association.

Stephanie was one of the founding members of the Wyoming Society of Professional Journalists. During her time on the Wyoming SPJ board she served as secretary, vice president and president. While she was president, Wyoming SPJ received a national award from the National SPJ.

Now, Stephanie is focused on providing Southwest Wyoming with the latest news through various media platforms, including writing stories, generating podcasts, and photographing local events.

Stephanie would like to expand her expertise even more and learn videography and anything else she thinks might improve SweetwaterNOW’s content.

EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 307-922-0700 Ext. 700

Describe your typical workday.
There is no such thing as a typical workday in this field. Of course, there is the interviewing, researching, writing stories, and taking photos, but there’s a lot of sifting through emails, messages, and taking phone calls. Some days I’m in the office most of the day, while other days, I’m out and about gathering community news. It all depends. At least once a week, I meet with the team to conduct a content meeting to ensure everything, including sports, meetings, special events and anything else that comes up is going to be covered.

What are you most passionate about professionally?
I am passionate about writing and using my talents to tell someone’s story. I’m always amazed at how many people will open up and share some of their most wonderful, heartbreaking, challenging or empowering stories with me. I’m ready to try new things and expand my knowledge.

If you weren’t so dang good at your job, what would you be doing for a living?
I’ve always wanted to go back to college someday and obtain a master’s degree, but I haven’t decided what that degree might be in yet.

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
This is a tough one to answer. I probably wanted to be a famous dancer or singer, but I honestly can’t remember.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Honest, caring, enthusiastic.

How would most people describe you?
Truthful, energetic, kind.

What are 3 of your pet peeves?
Procrastination.
Those who won’t take responsibility for their own actions.
When people say they are going to do something and then never do it. ?

What are you most happy doing when you’re not working?
Spending time with my family camping, fishing or exploring new hiking trails.

If you could be anywhere, right this minute, where would it be?
On a beach in St. Thomas listening to the waves crash onto the beach.

What is your favorite food/drink?
I like Chai tea and Chinese food. I also like a good steak.

Do you have any skills most people don’t know about?
I used to play the saxophone pretty well and not only can I sing, but I am my church’s choir director.

What would be your personal motto? Or your favorite quote…
“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
-Norman Vincent Peale

Is there anything else you want to share about yourself on the world wide web?
Nope. I think I’ve shared enough already. ☺️