Buddy Forbes

I’m not sure if I can credit my Eastern Kentucky upbringing, or if it’s something else altogether, but I have always had a passion for storytelling. From stories told by my grandmother on front porches, to stories and novels chronicled in books, something about going on that journey has always spoken to me.

As I started going through my elementary education, I realized that my joy for storytelling could be channeled into helping people. I’ve always been a viewer of WYMT. And not just because they were the first to tell me whether school was canceled for snow. Something about seeing the stories of my fellow Appalachians — seeing how the world impacted my community and how my community impacted the world —really captivated me.

During my years at East Ridge High School, I continued focusing on my passion by putting all of my efforts into the school newspaper. There, with the help and encouragement of my teacher, Karen Fuller, I decided to pursue a career in journalism. I continued that journey at the University of Pikeville, where I majored in communication and took classes in the film and media arts program.

When I’m not reporting, you can find me leading the youth group at Justiceville Bible Baptist or hanging out with my cats, with my nose in a book or a podcast playing in my ear. Whatever I’m doing, I am learning. Learning about myself, my job, or the world. I believe, regardless of your current bank of knowledge, you should never stop learning. So, though my experience is mostly in print journalism, I look forward to learning in a new field and capturing the stories of the region in living color. I am excited to join the WYMT family and look forward to serving its viewers!