Residents of South Carolina’s capital have a Greene County native to thank when they tune in to ABC Columbia News. Since graduating from Mapletown High School, Tori Adams has tirelessly worked her way up the ranks to land her current position as the 5pm newscast senior producer.
A day in the life of Adams begins with early morning meetings with the news director to go over the stories of the day. Then an in-house team of reporters are sent out into the field to gather information from multiple sources. “I select which stories I feel are the most relevant for our audience,” Adams says.
Before showtime, Adams utilizes her hard-earned degree to write succinct scripts that the anchors read for the 5pm slot. Always on the move, those who know Adams wouldn’t be surprised if she’s had 2-3 cups of Starbucks coffee before showtime…
Adams’ love and desire to work in news was born during a fraught time in our nation’s history. Like many Americans, she and her family were glued to their television sets watching coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. She was only in third grade as she watched Flight 93 crash in nearby Shanksville, Pennsylvania, not far from her home city. “Watching Michelle Wright and Mike Clark report on 9/11, because Shanksville was very near us in Mapletown, made me realize that [news reporting] was what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to make a difference, help out the community and tell stories that mattered,” Adams says. Inspired by that news coverage, Adams decided to pursue a career in broadcasting. Next stop: Point Park University!
Fall 2011 was a full-circle moment for Adams. At university, Michelle Wright, the woman who inspired her to get into broadcasting, became one of her newscast professors. “…She basically taught us how to conduct ourselves on camera. She used a lot of her experience to show what you do and what you don’t do.” The two forged a working relationship both inside and outside the classroom. Adams says it was an honor to work with her idol, who she watched report the news from a young age, and Wright helped set her up for success in the broadcasting field.
Throughout her time at Point Park, Adams received an insider’s look at behind-the-scenes television magic. Among the many essential skills needed to run a successful newscast, Adams learned how to run an audio board and became familiar with the machinations of a professional television camera. She even hosted her own radio show.
“If you want to pursue a career in broadcasting, Point Park University is a great school to attend because most of the professors have worked in the media at some point or are currently working in the media,” says Adams.
Following her graduation in 2015, the fledgling newswoman laid the groundwork for her future by working in several organizations in the Greene County area over the next four years. She began with a position at West Virginia Radio Corporation until 2016, followed by jobs at the Greene County Tourist Promotion Agency and Veterans Affairs until 2018.
Always a go-getter, Adams took a leap of faith and waded her way towards a warmer climate. “I decided that I was done with the cold weather, so I moved down to Myrtle Beach in 2018 and worked there until 2022,” says Adams.
Her first big break was as a producer at WFXB FOX TV in Myrtle Beach. The opportunity gave Adams the chance to get on camera and gain experience working in a professional newsroom. “We covered the Alex Murdaugh trials extensively. That is one of my most memorable stories that we have done,” said Adams. She used her experience at Point Park to help her excel in the new setting.
In September 2022, Adams began her current role as News Producer at ABC Columbia, a bigger station and market than her previous position. The transition meant going from reporting in the studio to having reporters go out on the scene to cover stories.
She also experienced working in front of the camera by hosting a monthly cooking segment called “Cut the Gluten” where she shows people how to make gluten-free dishes.
It is these opportunities that have made the biggest impact in her career as she continues to grow. When asked what advice she would give other Greene County students looking to pursue a career in broadcasting, her answer applied to all fields. Adams says finding your passion and continuing to grow everyday will be key to your success.
“Follow your dreams and never stop learning,” Adams says. “It doesn’t matter what career you have, just always learn from your mentors and the people who are behind you.”