Jay Stahl

Stahl, an entertainment reporter at USA TODAY, has been an integral part of the WIPPS Student Journalism Program over the last year, where he provides mentorship and guidance to high school students interested in a career in journalism.

The Wausau native and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduate, got his start in journalism with an internship at his hometown paper, The Wausau Daily Herald. After graduation, Stahl joined The Des Moines Register as an entertainment reporter.

Just two years after his graduation, Jay joined USA Today as an entertainment reporter. He is a 2019 People of the Year honoree from USA TODAY Network Wisconsin, an honor he received as a senior in college.

Stahl credits his success to the great mentors he had early in his career in Wausau.

“My time at UWSP at Wausau and the internship at The Wausau Daily Herald in my hometown helped make me a writer,” Stahl explained. “Now, as I enter the next phase of my career, I’m pleased to help the next generation of journalists in my hometown find their voice.”

As a WIPPS journalism fellow and through his work with the Student Journalism Program, Stahl helps to inspire and prepare the next generation of journalists. In addition to working directly with students to improve their writing skills, Jay teaches participants how to generate and pitch story ideas, conduct interviews, and shares his experience on what it’s like to be a professional journalist.