I've spent the better part of the last decade chasing stories that matter- the kind that stick with you long after the camera stops rolling. I'm Shay McAlister, and journalism isn't just what I do; it's who I am.

My career started at KOMU-TV in Columbia, Missouri, where I cut my teeth as a reporter and anchor from 2012 to 2015. I earned my Bachelor of Journalism in Broadcast News from the Missouri School of Journalism- a program that taught me the fundamentals of ethical, impactful journalism. From there, I moved to WHAS11-TV in Louisville, Kentucky, where I spent a decade as an investigative reporter and anchor until 2025.

Finding my purpose

For years, I covered it all as a general assignment reporter- local government, schools, crime, health. You name it, I reported on it. But somewhere along the way, I found my calling: victim-centric investigative journalism. I gravitated toward the stories where someone couldn't fight for themselves- cold case investigations, child abuse, animal abuse. These are the stories that demand more than just reporting; they require empathy, persistence, and a willingness to stand in the gap for those who've been silenced.

Stories that changed things

Some stories you report and move on from. Others change you- and hopefully, change the world around you just a little bit.

In 2016, I investigated a murder-suicide in Madison, Indiana, that revealed a local judge had refused to sign an arrest warrant for an estranged husband violating an emergency protective order. That judicial failure cost a woman her life and led to the proposal of "Laura's Law" in the Indiana legislature.

A year later, my investigation into a homeless camp clean-out in Louisville prompted significant policy changes and the adoption of new city ordinances- proof that shining a light on how we treat our most vulnerable citizens can actually move the needle.

In 2018, I saw an opportunity to make my reporting more than pages on paper- I saw I could be a part of something that would make a difference for years to come. When Rose Smith, who lost her son to gun violence in 2014, told me she wanted to turn the abandoned property where he was killed into a community center, I got to work. We applied for grants, recruited volunteers, and officially cut the ribbon on the ACE Place in May of 2019.

In 2019, I launched the podcast "Bardstown," which flew to the top of Apple Podcast's true crime charts. Just months later, the FBI took the lead on the cases we'd been covering. Three men were eventually arrested and convicted in connection with a murder that had sat cold for eight years. Seeing justice served after so long- that's the kind of moment that reminds you why this work matters.

My 2020 investigation into Wildlife in Need, a so-called animal sanctuary, prompted intervention from the USDA and the Indiana Attorney General. They saved the animals and shut down the non-profit. That reporting was later featured in Netflix's "Tiger King" docu-series in 2021, bringing national attention to the abuse that had been hiding in plain sight.

Most recently, in 2025, Dateline featured my reporting on the Crystal Rogers case-a story I've been following for years and one that continues to haunt me and the community affected by it.

Recognition and growth

Over the years, I've been fortunate to receive recognition for this work- six Regional Emmy Awards, two Edward R. Murrow Awards, and numerous local honors, including AP's Best TV Reporter in 2019. In 2023, I received a Special Congressional Recognition and was named to Louisville's '40 under 40.'

But the awards that matter most to me are the ones that don't come with plaques: the policy changes, the arrests, the moments when a family member tells me they finally feel heard.

I've invested in becoming better at this craft. I've attended conferences with the Kentucky News Photographers Association in 2017 and 2018, and the Investigative Reporters and Editors conference in 2019. By 2022, IRE invited me back- this time as a speaker. In 2023, I both attended and spoke at the Sound of Life Storytelling Workshop, sharing what I've learned about telling stories that honor victims rather than exploit them.

I've also been honored to have been invited as a keynote speaker to several events over the years- including the UofL Health Behavior Health Summit, Bowling Green Women's Leadership Summit, and the Bowling Green Public Library Speaker series.

A little about me

I'm from a little bit of a lot of places. Growing up, my family moved often- Texas, Florida, Germany, Colorado, Missouri- before I eventually landed in Louisville, a city I've grown to love deeply.

I met my husband Jimi here in 2020, we got married on New Year's Eve 2023, and welcomed our daughter into the world in September 2024. These days, our favorite things involve travel, trying local restaurants, and soaking up family time- because at the end of the day, that's what matters most.

Why I do this

Every story I've told has taught me something about resilience, justice, and the power of giving voice to those who've been silenced. Whether it's a cold case that's been forgotten, an animal suffering behind closed doors, or a family waiting for answers, I believe deeply in the responsibility we have as journalists to fight for truth.

This isn't always easy work. It's emotionally exhausting, and some days it feels impossible. But when I think about the families I've met, the lives that have been changed, and the small victories we've won together- I know it's worth it.

That's who I am, and that's why I do what I do.