Influencer: Shiina LoSciuto

How this former resident of Hawaii is making waves as a reporter for WPRI, using her voice for good, and sampling coffee around Rhode Island

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You have lived and worked in Hawaii and Alaska. What brought you to Little Rhody?

I’m a proud military brat, so I’ve actually lived in quite a few places. My dad was stationed in Alaska in 2006; we fell in love with it, so my family’s still there today. My father is originally from Massachusetts, so it’s been a goal of mine to get a job over here. As for the Hawaii thing, when you live in Alaska, it only makes sense to go to college on a tropical island! 

 

Since living in Rhode Island, what has been your favorite story that you’ve covered? 

This is a difficult question to answer, as each story is so different. My favorite stories are ones where people overcome challenges or find the light in a dark situation. Recently, we did a story on a pianist that plays out of the back of his pickup truck at Chez Pascal. Both the musician and restaurant owner were so excited to find a creative way to bring music to customers during this unprecedented time. That will be a tough one to beat, although the resiliency in Rhode Islanders continues to inspire me. 

 

We noticed on Twitter that you posted about joining the Asian American Journalism Association. As an Asian American journalist, do you have specific goals for telling AAPI stories? 

I think it’s really important to approach every story while keeping diversity and culture in mind. Our nation, and even community, is made up of so many different backgrounds. It’s critical to keep this in mind when both reporting and consuming news. My mission has always been to report fair and accurately; I believe the new support of AAJA can help me do that even better. 

 

Where are some of your favorite spots around the East Bay? 

My boyfriend and I love trying a new coffee place wherever we go! In Newport, it’s Drift Cafe on Thames, and in Tiverton, Coastal Roasters.

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