Simone McKenny
Daybreak New This Morning Reporter
Harrisonburg, VA
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/gray/721e849c-5ee1-400a-bb53-b6a48a34006b.jpg)
Simone McKenny grew up in West Philadelphia and attended Central High School (275!). She attended George Washington University. She graduated with a degree in journalism and mass communication.
Simone is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. During her senior year of college, she attended the 2020 CBC UNC Diversity Fellowship, covering a local nonprofit's work to provide healthy food options and education to some of North Carolina's food-insecure communities.
Simone moved to the Shenandoah Valley in August of 2020. She covers Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro communities. In her spare time, she enjoys trying out new recipes and watching Lifetime movies. She is a passionate storyteller and is determined to uplift the stories that are often overlooked.
Updated: 5 hours ago
|By Simone McKenny
This bill would support the CDC’s research on maternal deaths, work with the Health Resources and Services Administration State Maternal Health Innovation Program to share best practices on maternal health with providers and patients and much more.
Updated: Mar. 24, 2023 at 12:24 PM EDT
|By Simone McKenny
“'Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812' is based on a little 70-page snippet from Tolstoy’s War and Peace. It is a very exciting and arousing show. It is fully immersive in a café style so there are no barriers between the audience and the actors, which is really exciting,” Justin Poole explained.
Updated: Mar. 23, 2023 at 2:24 PM EDT
|By Simone McKenny
“They are in a professional art gallery and their work was chosen by their teacher to be shown here. It is exciting,” Burden said.
Updated: Mar. 15, 2023 at 2:01 PM EDT
|By Simone McKenny
If it is not the air pressure and your tires are still giving you trouble, there are a few ways to know if it is time for a replacement.
Updated: Mar. 14, 2023 at 3:05 PM EDT
|By Simone McKenny
“Our body has our own circadian clock and we are designed to sleep in a certain time period. For most of us, it is between nine at night to five or six in the morning. If you go against your own body clock, it creates more problems with sleep disruptions, awakenings and not restful sleep,” Dr. Siddiqui explained.
Updated: Mar. 13, 2023 at 9:18 AM EDT
|By Simone McKenny
One show currently hitting the stage is “As You Like It.”
Updated: Mar. 9, 2023 at 11:38 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
The Red Cross reports that every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood.
Updated: Mar. 8, 2023 at 11:40 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“I am actually from a firefighter family,” Kellie Sacksteder explained. “My grandpa was a firefighter, my dad in his steps, my brother after him, so I sort of grew up in the environment but at that time there weren’t really females in that space.”
Updated: Mar. 7, 2023 at 10:11 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Everyone’s NOAA Radio may not make a sound or alarm but experts say to turn on your radio to listen to the broadcast no later than 9:40 a.m. If you do not have a NOAA Weather Radio, officials say to to start your drill and enact your safety plan at 9:45 a.m.
Updated: Mar. 3, 2023 at 3:05 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
The Better Business Bureau has a few tips to keep in mind as you plan that next getaway.
Updated: Mar. 2, 2023 at 12:24 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“FREE is the Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment and Endowment and we collect durable medical equipment (DME) from the community,” Robin Ramsey, executive director of FREE, explained.
Updated: Mar. 1, 2023 at 1:25 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Scheduled for March 11, the event will showcase women-owned businesses in Staunton as well as pop-up shops and performances.
Updated: Feb. 28, 2023 at 5:04 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Diving into the history of organizing within Black communities, you will find numerous groups that supported several needs and causes.
Updated: Feb. 24, 2023 at 1:19 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“This is a great way for businesses to showcase what they do to get students interested and get students through that pipeline. The more involvement we have, the better we are shaping our future economy,” Velma Bryant explained.
Updated: Feb. 23, 2023 at 2:54 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Heather Denman says The ARC’s programs help participants become more independent, build positive social behavior and gain access to employment opportunities.
Updated: Feb. 22, 2023 at 9:56 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
They have a goal of $5,000 and there are numerous ways to give.
Updated: Feb. 22, 2023 at 9:05 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Dr. Sternberg says venous disease involves the veins that bring blood back to the heart.
Updated: Feb. 21, 2023 at 6:14 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“Visions of Progress: Portraits of Dignity, Style and Racial Uplift” is an exhibition at the University of Virginia that showcases portraits of African American people photographed by Holsinger Studio in the early 1900s.
Updated: Feb. 17, 2023 at 9:54 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Local artists transform doors through art to represent diversity in the community.
Updated: Feb. 16, 2023 at 2:33 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“This was a really unique opportunity for us to really help our residents, to lift them up and help them bridge that gap in regard to access and becoming more self-sufficient,” Michael Wong, the executive director of the Harrisonburg Housing and Redevelopment Authority, said.
Updated: Feb. 15, 2023 at 3:30 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Experts say the exact causes of high blood pressure are unknown but they do know that things like smoking, drinking too much, age and family history can play a role.
Updated: Feb. 14, 2023 at 1:49 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Just One Sister Circle is an organization aiming to support Black women in our region.
Updated: Feb. 9, 2023 at 4:07 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Susan Adamson is a family nurse practitioner and has worked with the clinic since it opened a few years ago. She said in order for them to give quality care they must work against the social determinants of health.
Updated: Feb. 7, 2023 at 6:37 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
The American Heart Association reports in the United States, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests happen away from a hospital each year.
Updated: Feb. 7, 2023 at 3:43 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Churches have shown to be a vital role in many Black communities for many years. We chat with historians and local church members to learn more.
Updated: Feb. 2, 2023 at 2:51 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
AVA Care of Harrisonburg has been supporting women’s health since 1984.
Updated: Feb. 1, 2023 at 6:55 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“It’s a very simple study,” Polly Cason with Augusta Health explained. “The patient has some sedation so they are comfortable through the procedure and it is very low risk.”
Updated: Jan. 30, 2023 at 12:53 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“Specifically cat food and cat litter because that is the big population," Julie Walthall explained.
Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 6:11 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
"I’m just excited about the future to make sure most people know there is a pathway through Blue Ridge Community College to wherever they want to go," the president of Blue Ridge Community College explained.
Updated: Jan. 19, 2023 at 6:22 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“To some extent, the sky is the limit, right now there is so much opportunity and community support. I am so incredibly thankful we have over 75 volunteers who work in this space,” Hyacinth Bellerose, director of the FCSS, explained.
Updated: Jan. 12, 2023 at 4:48 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
More than 2,000 children have enrolled within Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
Updated: Jan. 5, 2023 at 9:03 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Adagio House was founded in 2018, since then they have provided support through counseling, education , advocacy and much more for 400 individuals facing a disability or caring for a disabled loved one.
Updated: Jan. 3, 2023 at 12:36 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
"To see the hope in the families, to see the people we work with, some of them having been in housing-restricted situations before. The emotion that they feel but then you pay that forward and we have built the house,” David Wenger explained.
Updated: Dec. 23, 2022 at 9:04 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“Whether they need food, hot meals showers, groceries to go home internet access job applications, and in recent years, we have tried to focus on trying to provide longer-term support for folks,” Sam Nickels explained. Nickels is the executive director for Our Community Place.
Updated: Dec. 15, 2022 at 3:00 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Bridge of Hope is a housing-first program that lasts about 12-24 months to provide housing for families through rental assistance that decreases over time of participation.
Updated: Dec. 6, 2022 at 1:40 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Organizers say this show is a great holiday tradition.
Updated: Dec. 5, 2022 at 2:00 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
The American Red Cross reports that someone in the United States is in need of blood or platelets every two seconds.
Updated: Nov. 30, 2022 at 12:25 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
"Having that community and having a place to fill in the gap is so important. It really does take a village,” Leyna Campbell said.
Updated: Nov. 30, 2022 at 9:08 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Lt. Snyder says Augusta County has not had any reports as of Monday but she does anticipate that will change as the holiday season progresses.
Updated: Nov. 24, 2022 at 9:52 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“We’re together, we are a package deal. If I’m somewhere he is with me. If he is somewhere, I’m with him. Very rarely are we not together,” Kristy Mackenzie said.
Updated: Nov. 22, 2022 at 1:42 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“All of their shows involve learning and literary themes, they are so great for families,” Zachary Elder the library director for MRL explained.
Updated: Nov. 17, 2022 at 11:26 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
Each day of Crash Responder Safety Week represents a different theme. For Friday, the theme is driver education.
Updated: Nov. 16, 2022 at 12:14 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“Walmart, Target and Amazon started offering deals in October. We’re seeing that there are websites out there such as Toms Guide that will track the Black Friday deals. Even if you go to your browser and just search best Black Friday deals you can find websites that are coming up and tracking that for you,” Dr. Janna Parker explained.
Updated: Nov. 15, 2022 at 12:29 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
The organization is also recognizing Transgender Awareness Week.
Updated: Nov. 14, 2022 at 9:08 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
The goal for 2022 is $200,000.
Updated: Nov. 11, 2022 at 11:35 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
The event will also bring together student musicians and international artist Balla Kouyaté.
Updated: Nov. 11, 2022 at 5:27 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny and WHSV Newsroom
If you need to report a non-emergency call 540-434-2117.
Updated: Nov. 10, 2022 at 10:01 AM EST
|By Simone McKenny
ASC leaders say “The Tempest” is show of political, exile, revenge and magic.
Updated: Nov. 9, 2022 at 12:08 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
The Great Community Give for 2022 raised more than $1.7 million.
Updated: Nov. 8, 2022 at 3:14 PM EST
|By Simone McKenny
“It is so easy to spoof phone numbers and hack voicemails or people’s phone systems that you have to be super careful when you are communicating with them,” Julie Wheeler with the BBB said.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5JYK4ZQ3EBDN3KJMNVFYLDRHQI.JPG)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/H4V4JC3ZZRHSVHBCIOGGJ3QTU4.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WDSQF3ZGNFG7TLQSDC2PXF3B2M.PNG)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/I3XXQWXWB5G4BCGR5Q3XU7ZQQ4.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/KJVY3V26DFHTBCR4AX2Q6GVVV4.PNG)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UP3XKE3AXRHS3LWDNSAX2FIF2E.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/U5XMBPB2EFHM3LC7VR7NKFOEZ4.JPG)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LZX4LWLWPBERNNOK2EZIEAPPDI.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TPINHAQGIBG6RBTOS7RSBNH5DY.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/IM7W34TJ55ESVCYYVJIMM2NXAA.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/3MURDM4DWFH4FGMWR2B437QKUA.png)