Kayla Brooks
Augusta County Bureau Reporter
Augusta County, VA
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Kayla Brooks joined the WHSV team in June 2021. She is from Middle Tennessee and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a major in broadcast journalism and a minor in political science.
Throughout high school, Kayla competed in National Speech and Debate Association competitions. At UT Martin, she worked for the campus radio station, WUTM 90.3 The Hawk, contributed to UTM-TV and interned at WPSD Local 6 in Paducah, Kentucky.
In her free time, Kayla likes to read a good book, work out, spend time with her family (which includes her two dogs and cat). Kayla is a dedicated storyteller who wants to get to the bottom of issues that matter to you.
Education
Awards
Updated: Jun. 24, 2022 at 5:24 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
The Supreme Court announced their decision to overrule Roe v. Wade Friday, June 24 at around 10 a.m.
Updated: Jun. 24, 2022 at 5:21 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Augusta County leaders, after speaking with school and safety officials, have cleared the way for additional funding for school safety measures.
Updated: Jun. 23, 2022 at 5:28 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Augusta County voters will decide where they want their courthouse to stand in November.
Updated: Jun. 23, 2022 at 5:22 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Leaders in Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro met today to discuss the Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center (SVASC) for their monthly Owners’ Meeting.
Updated: Jun. 23, 2022 at 12:38 AM EDT
|By Cayley Urenko and Kayla Brooks
Discussions on the cameras continue as some community members urge county leaders to include the expense in the county’s next budget.
Updated: Jun. 22, 2022 at 5:48 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
A Valley family is mourning the loss of two-year-old Averianna May.
Updated: Jun. 22, 2022 at 5:32 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
The Town of Elkton is seeing a number of changes to its day-to-day operations.
Updated: Jun. 21, 2022 at 4:40 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Tuesday, June 21 is the last day to register to run for Staunton City Council and Staunton School board.
Updated: Jun. 21, 2022 at 4:00 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
July 4th weekend is a big travel weekend, and despite high gas prices, AAA predicts air and car travel will likely break records.
Updated: Jun. 20, 2022 at 6:06 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Photos and videos of the thousands of dead cattle gained traction online, and some believe there’s a bigger story.
Updated: Jun. 20, 2022 at 5:21 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
A recent study found Americans are worse tippers than before the start of the pandemic.
Updated: Jun. 16, 2022 at 5:50 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Men die by suicide about four times more often than women, according to Mental Health America. June is recognized as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month to address specific challenges and barriers men face.
Updated: Jun. 16, 2022 at 5:46 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
When COVID-19 lockdowns kept everyone home, people needed a way to have fun and stay cool at their place, so the pool industry was swimming in orders.
Updated: Jun. 15, 2022 at 7:52 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Waynesboro city leaders are looking at an ordinance restricting some animals within city limits.
Updated: Jun. 15, 2022 at 5:06 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Three weeks ago, the Augusta County Board of Supervisors decided to start an account to allow the public to contribute to body and dash cameras for the sheriff’s office.
Updated: Jun. 14, 2022 at 5:35 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Agriculture producers have until June 30 to sign up for the 2022 Census of Agriculture.
Updated: Jun. 14, 2022 at 4:01 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Sentara is hosting a virtual panel discussion to talk about LGBTQ experiences in health care.
Updated: Jun. 9, 2022 at 5:59 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Since the recent deadly shooting in an Oklahoma hospital, medical professionals across the country are taking a look at how they can improve security.
Updated: Jun. 9, 2022 at 5:36 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Drug overdose deaths increased in Virginia in 2016, and that’s when fentanyl came into play.
Updated: Jun. 8, 2022 at 10:42 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
The Augusta County Board of Supervisors had a busy night Wednesday, discussing body cameras and the courthouse.
Updated: Jun. 8, 2022 at 10:41 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
A Waynesboro woman charged in the death of a Valley toddler has a trial set for next year.
Updated: Jun. 7, 2022 at 5:03 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
30 years ago, a random killing turned strangers into enemies. As time went on, the pair became friends.
Updated: Jun. 6, 2022 at 4:45 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
A study from American Psychological Association found one-third of adults say fear of mass shootings prevents them from going some places.
Updated: Jun. 6, 2022 at 4:32 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Later this year, downtown Staunton will transform into the world of Harry Potter when Queen City Mischief and Magic (QCMM) returns.
Updated: Jun. 3, 2022 at 5:50 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
6th District Congressman Ben Cline (R) just got back from a trip at the southern border.
Updated: Jun. 3, 2022 at 5:22 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Now that most Valley students are out of school for break, summer meal programs are up and running.
Updated: Jun. 2, 2022 at 5:03 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
A group of students met up Thursday morning with local environmentalists to clean up the Staunton area, and they’ll do it Friday and Saturday as well.
Updated: Jun. 2, 2022 at 4:49 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
The family of a Woodstock woman who died Monday has started a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral costs.
Updated: Jun. 1, 2022 at 6:11 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
A petition is circulating around Augusta County, calling for the Board of Supervisors to fund body and dash cameras for the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office.
Updated: Jun. 1, 2022 at 5:07 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
With temperatures in the 90s this week, it’s important to take note of how you’re feeling when you’re spending time outside.
Updated: Jun. 1, 2022 at 4:38 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
The Friendly City will welcome runners in October for a half marathon.
Updated: May. 31, 2022 at 5:11 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
When the Staunton Mall closed about a year and a half ago, tenants were given 30 days to pack up.
Updated: May. 31, 2022 at 4:19 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Staunton was awarded a $300,000 EPA Brownfields Grant about a year ago, and that work is beginning with contractors.
Updated: May. 27, 2022 at 8:37 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
The Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center has a new executive director.
Updated: May. 27, 2022 at 10:35 AM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Staunton City Council addressed lighting, elections and the Equity and Diversity Commission in Thursday night’s council work session and council meeting.
Updated: May. 25, 2022 at 5:40 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Cleanup efforts after Kentucky’s December tornadoes continue, and Valley farmers are still reaching out to help.
Updated: May. 25, 2022 at 5:35 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Staunton’s West End has been a popular topic of discussion for the city as they figure out how best to revitalize the area.
Updated: May. 23, 2022 at 8:39 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Staunton City Council will meet in a closed session Monday, May 23 at 5 p.m. in Council Chambers in City Hall to discuss and consider prospective candidates to be appointed to the Equity and Diversity Commission.
Updated: May. 20, 2022 at 9:09 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Now that breakfast and lunch won’t be available to Valley children, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (BRAFB) is gearing up to bridge that gap.
Updated: May. 20, 2022 at 8:20 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
The Book Dragon in Staunton hosted a conversation with award-winning author Alma Katsu.
Updated: May. 19, 2022 at 5:40 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Waynesboro’s School Board is wrapping up their budgeting process and preparing for next fall.
Updated: May. 19, 2022 at 5:36 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Route 340 runs from Greenville, VA, to Frederick, MD, and is the site of increasing crashes in the last two years.
Updated: May. 18, 2022 at 5:23 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
No matter where you travel, get ready to put health and safety measures to use.
Updated: May. 18, 2022 at 5:11 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
The Virginia Employment Commission said they’re almost caught up on the March 2020 unemployment claim backlog.
Updated: May. 17, 2022 at 5:20 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Candi Royer appeared in court by video Tuesday, May 17 at 3:30 p.m. in Augusta County.
Updated: May. 16, 2022 at 5:16 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Inflation, the prominence of natural disasters and a population shift toward the coast leave many without the insurance coverage they need.
Updated: May. 16, 2022 at 3:37 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Some medical professionals are struggling to get their hands on contrast dye used to test for things like strokes, blood clots and cancer.
Updated: May. 12, 2022 at 6:04 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Starting Saturday, seven digits won’t be enough to connect a call. You’ll need to dial 10 digits, including the area code.
Updated: May. 12, 2022 at 4:59 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
Waynesboro’s Ridgeview Park is supposed to be a serene place for walking, picnicking and playing. Recently, it’s become the subject for recent vandalisms.
Updated: May. 11, 2022 at 6:27 PM EDT
|By Kayla Brooks
A Staunton wrestling coach won a national championship in Las Vegas, and he said it was all about becoming a better coach.