Michelle CharlesProfile Photo

Michelle Charles

Studio Stillwater Co-creator & producer/Stillwater News Press – City Editor

May 24, 2022

In the Newsroom: 'We are champions at podcast'

After an extended hiatus, the newsroom returns to the studio – due to a honeymoon and staff vacations – with a national storytelling award. They also share the stories they wrote in the new Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine publi…
April 5, 2022

In the Newsroom: Responsibility in reporting; weighing public harm vs public good

Local News: Bird Flu in Payne County, not an April fools joke. It’s election day in Stillwater, will voters approve a $9 million bond for a new fire station? Going deep : Beau and the newsroom discuss how local news can ofte…
March 29, 2022

Grassroots: Fire Station Bond proposal with Terry Essary and Becky Taylor

On April 5th, Stillwater voters will decide on a bond proposal to relocate fire station #2 and build a modern facility for $9 million. Michelle and Chris sit down with Stillwater Fire Chief, Terry Essary, and City of Stillwa…
March 22, 2022

In the Newsroom: Howdy from The Mid South; Spongebob, bikes and schoolhouse rock

In this week’s episode, the newsroom discusses how Ashlynd has main character syndrome. SpongeBob Squarepants throw the team in a time loop for Michelle to save them so Chris’ family can share their experience at The Mid Sou…
March 8, 2022

In the Newsroom: Local events making a big comeback

After almost a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Stillwater events are making their way back on the calendar. Chris shares details about this year's Mid South gravel bike race and expo. Michelle and beau share their favor…
March 1, 2022

In the Newsroom: Localizing global events; Sorting fact from fiction

In this week's episode, the newsroom debates appropriate and inappropriate uses of exclamation points, periods, and thumbs-up emojis! 👍. Michelle begins to dive into a story on local employment and challenges the City of Sti…
Feb. 22, 2022

In the Newsroom: Certified recycling baddies

Certified baddies – except Chris – return to the studio to discuss the recent municipal election, the upcoming bond vote for a new fire station and recycling woes in Stillwater. Ashlynd also shares her story on Stillwater’s …
Feb. 4, 2022

Grassroots: Visitor Tax proposal with Cristy Morrison and Chris Norris

Stillwater, home of Oklahoma State University, is inherently a destination town. Every year visitors make a significant impact on the city’s economy. Cristy Morrison and Chris Norris of Visit Stillwater join Chris and Michel…
Feb. 2, 2022

Grassroots: Transportation Sales Tax proposal with Becky and Norman

Everyone in Stillwater agrees, many of our streets and roads are terrible. On Feb. 8 voters will have a proposition on their ballot to increase the dedicated transportation sales tax from a half-cent to a whole cent. To get …
Feb. 1, 2022

Grassroots: faith and civics with Marc Trotter and Will Joyce

In this episode, Chris and Michelle sit down with Stillwater mayoral candidates Marc Trotter and Will Joyce. We learn what music they have recently listened to, how their faith impacts their call to public service and decisi…
Jan. 29, 2022

Grassroots: Mayoral candidate Will Joyce – Part Three

Recorded Jan. 10 In part three of our conversation with Will, we get into the details of how Stillwater’s Council/City manager form of government works, the challenges of state law on the local level and why he wants to be r…
Jan. 29, 2022

Grassroots: Mayoral candidate Marc Trotter – Part Three

Recorded Jan. 7, 2022 In part three of our conversation with Marc Trotter, we learn about his foundational principles that form his view on the proper role of government. His belief is that we are “a country of kings.” Marc …
Jan. 26, 2022

Grassroots: Mayoral candidate Will Joyce – Part Two

Recorded Jan. 10, 2022 ***Spoiler alert*** Multiple films and books are discussed in this episode. From Jack Reacher to Frozen, to STILLWATER. In part two Michelle and Chris learn what books Will enjoys reading and how his s…
Jan. 26, 2022

Grassroots: Mayoral candidate Marc Trotter – Part Two

Recorded Jan. 7, 2022 In part two Chris and Michelle learn about Marc’s career as a lighting designer, the insight he has received from personality tests and his experience running a campaign to recall Stillwater’s City Coun…
Jan. 24, 2022

Grassroots: Mayoral candidate Will Joyce – Part One

Recorded Jan. 10, 2022 This episode is part one of a three-part interview with Will Joyce. He is running for re-election as the Mayor of Stillwater, Oklahoma. In this first segment hosts, Michelle Charles and Chris Peters ge…
Jan. 24, 2022

Grassroots: Mayoral candidate Marc Trotter – Part One

Recorded Jan. 7, 2022 ***Spoiler Alert*** If you haven’t seen BEE Movie we discuss the overall plot and story of the animated film starring Jerry Seinfield. This episode is part one of a three-part interview with Marc Trotte…
Jan. 11, 2022

In the Newsroom: Respecting cultural differences – Afghan resettlement in Stillwater, Part two

In part two of the series, we hear the rest of Michelle’s interview with Salman Rafique, an OSU student from Pakistan. Salman is a volunteer helping Afghan refugees resettle in Stillwater. Salman and Michelle discuss cultura…
Dec. 31, 2021

In the Newsroom: Welcoming our Allies – Afghan resettlement in Stillwater, Part one

In this special series, the Newsroom listens to Michelle’s interview with Salman Rafique, an OSU student from Pakistan. He has been volunteering with the resettlement of our allies from Afghanistan. Hearing Salman’s own expe…
Dec. 30, 2021

In the Newsroom: Stickers, Workiversarys, post COVID, Slurpees and Boyd

Want a free Studio Stillwater sticker? Join our gift exchange: https://www.subscribepage.com/studiostillwatersticker In the final episode of 2021, the Newsroom discusses workiversaries, post COVID times, 7-Eleven coming to t…
Dec. 14, 2021

In the Newsroom: Decoding reporter speak

Back in the studio after a short hiatus, the newsroom chats about the big news on Block 34 development, law enforcement purposely getting people drunk and the upcoming local election season. You’ll also get to hear an exampl…
Nov. 23, 2021

In the Newsroom: A thankful newsroom

In this week’s episode, the newsroom discusses the topics of the week and ends the show sharing what they are most thankful for this year. Articles discussed on the show: Candlelight vigil held for National Runaway Preventio…
Nov. 16, 2021

In the Newsroom: Statues, memes, hashtags and outrage

In this episode, Beau returns to the helm of the podcast and learns Ashlynd's meme knowledge causes her to think of a Senator from Vermont instead of the OSU's legendary running back. Ashlynd and Michelle get to ride in the …
Nov. 9, 2021

Talking OSU men's basketball with Hallie Hart

News Press sports journalist Hallie Hart joins the newsroom to talk about the NCAA’s postseason ban on the OSU men’s basketball team. Michelle sits on the moderator spot as Beau takes a vacation. Chris and Ashlynd share stor…
Oct. 29, 2021

Social media’s impact on our youth with Destinee Adams

In this special episode, the Newsroom welcomes former News Press intern Destinee Adams to the studio. Destinee recently co-authored an article for TIME with Zamaan Qureshi titled, 'Instagram is doing grave harm to our genera…
Oct. 6, 2021

In the Newsroom: Evolving with Rob McClendon

In this week’s episode, we welcome new Publisher, Rob McClendon to the podcast. Rob shares how he got to Stillwater and what’s kept him here over the years. With a few digressions, the newsroom discusses the future of the St…
Sept. 17, 2021

In the Newsroom: 'About as heavy as you can get'

***Please Read*** This week the Newsroom discusses the heavy and sensitive topic of child sexual abuse. Ashlynd reveals her investigative project that dives into the reality of these crimes that can be hidden in plain sight.…
Sept. 6, 2021

In the Newsroom: Going meta in the newsroom

In this week’s episode, we officially welcome Chris Peters to the newsroom team and discuss his new role while getting the nerdy details of what it takes to put out a paper. Ashlynd shares solid interview advice while Michel…
Aug. 27, 2021

In the Newsroom: Things are getting weird again

Pandemic discussion returns to the Newsroom as Michelle updates us on Oklahoma State University faculty's difficulties with masking requests to students. Ashlynd and Beau discuss fake vaccination cards and what criminal char…
Aug. 13, 2021

In the Newsroom: Central Park, that ain't country: An interview with Kenny Baker

In Part two of this STILLWATER film podcast series, Michelle and Beau listen to Kenny Baker. The real-life Oklahoma roughneck who advised Matt Damon and Tom McCarthy. Hear what his experience with the filmmakers was like and…
Aug. 9, 2021

In the Newsroom: Not a prank! An interview with Tom McCarthy

In part one of this special episode Michelle and Beau discuss the new STILLWATER film and Michelle’s interview with Tom McCarthy. Learn why and how Tom chose Stillwater and what he learned during his time in Oklahoma. Oh, an…
July 29, 2021

In the Newsroom: STILLWATER a slow burn mystery?

In this week's episode, we hear the newsroom's initial reactions to their special screening of the new Focus Feature film, STILLWATER. Starring Matt Damon, Abigail Breslin, and Camille Cottin. Michelle talks about her interv…
July 19, 2021

In the Newsroom: Movie Stars & Justice Reporting

In this week's episode, News Press journalists discuss the shift to justice reporting from crime reporting and the right to be forgotten concept. Michelle might get a chance to interview actors and producers of the soon-to-…
July 16, 2021

Studio Update!

We wanted to give you a quick Studio update and share some of the new podcasts we have in development. We are also excited to announce we now have a website! studiostillwater.net is our new home. This site will help us attra…
July 12, 2021

In the Newsroom: Going off beat & COVID fatigue

Intern Sam returns to the podcast and shares what it’s like going off beat to write non-sports stories. Michelle gives an update on Oklahoma’s pandemic response, tl:dr please, please, please, get vaccinated. Beau has a sugge…
July 6, 2021

In the Newsroom: to someone, you are the guy

This week we meet Sam Hutchens, a summer intern at the News Press. Listen in as Sam drops some wisdom bombs on the crew and how Ashlynd loves a PDF form. Michelle shares how her family enjoys making innocent sparklers danger…
June 7, 2021

In the Newsroom: The interns are here

Articles mentioned on the show: Biden visits Tulsa to commemorate massacre, does not address reparations McMansion Hell Return flight: American Airlines brings mid-day flight back to Stillwater Cushing's Dunkin Theatre recei…
May 31, 2021

In the Newsroom: Journalist wept

Newspaper journalists make mistakes. Michelle, Beau, and Kevin tackle the various ways they try to correct the record, whether that’s a misspelled name or sharing the wrong photo. The crew also comments on the 100th annivers…
May 24, 2021

In the Newsroom: coldbrew & boozy slushies

This week's episode is guaranteed to make you thirsty. The Governor reveals a sauce shortage, but no worries, Beau has a DIY solution for you in the new Stillwater Style magazine. What labor shortage looks like for our local…
May 18, 2021

In the Newsroom: #SonicCulture

In this week's extended edition, the editorial staff is joined by Kevin Shields, the new Publisher at the Stillwater News Press. Learn about Kevin's experience with local newspapers around the country and why Vermont didn't …
April 23, 2021

Grassroots: Growing Civic Engagement with Joanne Murer & Bryan Langford-Loftis

Chris and Michelle are joined by Stillwater League of Women Voters, Forum Chair, Joanne Murer, and Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, Government Affairs Chair, Bryan Langford-Loftis. They discuss the behind-the-scenes work requ…