Leilani Combs has started work as the newest addition to the Sentinel staff, where she will write for the newspaper and KSTK in a cooperative agreement to share a reporter.
Combs arrived in Wrangell on Aug. 5, moving here from Ballard, Washington, where she lived aboard a sailboat.
She worked last year as a reporter at the Honolulu Civil Beat, in Hawaii, where she interned after graduating with a master’s degree in multimedia journalism from Columbia University, in New York City.
But before turning to journalism, Combs, now 35, earned a bachelor’s degree in marine biology at the University of Washington. While in school, she worked as a lab assistant at the Washington Ocean Acidification Center in Seattle.
Before college, she worked as a whitewater rafting guide on the Wenatchee River in eastern Washington 2014-2018.
“I grew up all over the country,” living as a kid in San Diego, Iowa and Hawaii. “My mom wanted to be a marine biologist, but didn’t do it,” which kindled her daughter’s interest in the science.
While working on her degree in marine biology, Combs realized she did not want to get stuck in a lab. “I realized I would rather communicate science,” prompting the switch to journalism, she said.
She has focused much of her interest on Arctic ecology, salmon and trout, and said she is looking forward to reporting on the marine environmental, commercial and sport fishing in Wrangell, in addition to other wildlife stories.
While a student at the University of Washington, she designed and conducted field research on the implications of bald eagle predation on a gull nesting colony.
“In addition to my love for the outdoors and adventure that drove me to Wrangell, I am a musician and avid appreciator of underground music. I am looking forward to sharing that love through a punk/alternative volunteer radio show on KSTK once I’ve gotten settled,” Combs said.
“The Sentinel is happy to welcome Combs to the staff, joining reporter Jonathon Dawe and office manager Amber Armstrong,” said publisher Larry Persily. “We are especially eager to share the town’s newest reporter with KSTK, so that both news organizations can provide information people needs and can use in their lives.” KSTK welcomes Combs to town and looks forward to working with her.
