James Santelli is a multi-platform journalist for WKBN 27 First News. He joined the WKBN team in December 2014.
James is an award-winning journalist who has covered marquee events around the world, including the Olympic Games, NCAA Tournament, Stanley Cup Playoffs and MLB Playoffs. His article on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ use of defensive shifts won the SABR Analytics Conference Research Award for contemporary baseball analysis.
He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism in May 2014, obtaining a degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism with a minor in Sports Media Studies. While attending USC, James worked as a multimedia journalist and associate sports director for USC’s student-produced Annenberg TV News.
James’ professional experience includes interning for Time Warner Cable SportsNet on the network’s Lakers and Dodgers studio shows, working as a staff writer for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins and interning for NBC Olympics during the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.
He was born in raised in Pittsburgh but now calls Boardman his home. In his free time, you can find James watching the big games, going to concerts and exploring everything the Pittsburgh and Youngstown areas have to offer. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @JamesSantelli.
