‘An influential moment.’ Get to know Alba Rosa, The Macon Telegraph’s new courts reporter

Editor’s note: The Macon Telegraph has recently hired several new staff members, and we want you to get to know them better. This is the first in a series of stories penned by our journalists to tell you about themselves. Want to know more about the new staff? Check out our editor’s column online .

Hello, Macon! My name is Alba Rosa, and it is an honor to be here. Being your guide to the most important stories that our court systems have to offer is something I have dreamed of ever since I was studying journalism and criminal justice at Florida International University in Miami.

I’m a long way from home, for sure, but it’s something I’m used to. Before studying journalism in Miami, I lived with my mother in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, which I am proud to call home.

If you’ve moved between countries or states, you’d know that aside from the anxiety, getting to know new people and the surrounding areas is an exciting opportunity one shouldn’t miss. I personally felt like I needed to leave the chaos of Miami, and I jumped at the opportunity to settle into Macon and get to know this sweet city.

But as for my journalism career, I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to make it this far. I wanted to become an artist, which is why I initially moved away from Puerto Rico.

So how did I get here, working for The Telegraph as the courts reporter?

I first pursued a fashion design degree at Miami International University of Art & Design, which unfortunately closed its doors late last year. Like many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic forced me to choose a more worthwhile profession rather than pursuing a hobby further, so I decided to drop out of the fashion program, which was not an easy decision to make.

When I chose to study journalism at FIU, it felt like I had thrown a dart and let it decide what the next couple of years would look like for me. Luckily, the dart matched me with a profession that coincided with my interests, like writing, investigating and criminal justice.

During my time at the university, I worked for PantherNOW, FIU’s college newspaper. I learned how to identify topics that would interest the community. I was fortunate enough to climb the ranks at the student paper and snagged a spot on the editorial board as opinion editor and assistant news director.

During my college career, I also had a part-time job as a court reporter of another kind for the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, which mostly oversaw criminal cases. It was by far one of my favorite jobs and what ignited my interest in due process, the justice system and how I could best explain what was happening.

It’s because of my experience there, that I can deliver riveting stories I believe you should know about. That includes the ongoing developments in a lawsuit against Macon-Bibb County about the county allegedly pulling out of a contract with a construction company doing repairs at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport. Another story I’ve brought readers is one about a family suing the U.S. government over child abuse at the Robins Air Force’s daycare, when it was first filed and the updates that have come.

It is my pleasure to bring stories like this for Middle Georgia residents.

As for my artistic endeavors, you’ll be delighted to know that that side of me will never go away and is my biggest focus when I leave work, although, of course, I might sneak in some sketches during work.

Moving to Macon to work for The Telegraph has been such an influential moment in my career and my life, and I’ve illustrated the staff to show my appreciation to the people who welcomed me with open arms ... and laughed at my jokes.

Want to know more about my coverage? Have story ideas I should investigate? Email me at alrosa@macon.com.