Local television news producer in Raleigh, Charlotte and Greenville, NC, since 2008.

Mental Health America: Media Award & H. Keith Brunnemer Jr. Award

As the 5 On Your Side producer, I want to help as many people as we can, provide viewers with information they can use and hopefully create some change for good.

I’ve been married to my wife, Joy, since 2017, we have one daughter.

<h4>Likes Best About North Carolina:</h4>

I’ve lived all over the state, I’ve loved each stop and met some really incredible people along the way.

In Charlotte, I was part of a team that put together a special program on mental health. We explored important topics and discussed the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Hundreds of people called in to speak with professionals for free. The response to that event was amazing, and we were able to provide some help and hope to people who might not have gotten it otherwise.

Pritchard Strong

Cleaning needed! WRAL's 5 On Your Side shows where health inspectors found restaurants in need of a deep kitchen cleaning. 

NONPROFIT. IT SERVES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE STUDENTS. A COUPLE LOCAL RESTAURANTS NEED A DEEP CLEANING 5 ON YOUR SIDE'S KEELY. ARTHUR SHOWS US THE VIOLATIONS IN THIS WEEK'S RESTAURANT RATINGS REPORT. >> FIRST OF ANY CAP OF TALLIES ON FAYETTEVILLE STREET IN RALEIGH, TOM'S PUT AWAY AS CLEAN, HAD BUILD UPON THEM. MULTIPLE FOODS AND INGREDIENTS WERE BEING KEPT COLD ENOUGH AND THE INSPECTOR NOTED DEEPLY WAS NEED THE DRUG. THE FACILITY TALLIES IN RALEIGH GOTTEN BE DOWN FROM A 90.5 AND A 93.5 OVER TO BOJANGLES ON SOUTH RAYFORD ROAD IN FAYETTEVILLE CASES WERE SOILED AND WERE SENT BACK TO BE REWATCHED. SEVERAL FLIES WERE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY AND TENDERS AND WINGS WERE BEING KEPT HOT ENOUGH AND HAD TO BE THROWN OUT INGLES ON SOUTH LAKE ROAD IN FAYETTEVILLE, GOT AN 86, A B. THAT'S DOWN FROM A 96. AND THE 94.5. AND FINALLY TO JAMAICA, JAMAICA ON HIGHWAY 55 IN DURHAM, TIMING WAS NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE KITCHEN. A LARGE POT OF SHRIMP SAUCE WAS MISSING A DAY. MARK. >> AND THE RESTAURANT WASN'T USING PROPER COOLING METHODS AND SOME FOOD HAD TO BE THROWN OUT. THEY'VE GOT TO MAKE GUY AND IRAN THAT AN 87.5 BE DOWN

Keely Arthur

Sydney Ross

Restaurant Ratings: Benny Capitale's, Bojangles, Jamaica Jamaica

Free money from Zelle or Cash App--just for filling out a government form? That's what some TikTok videos claim.


ALL MORNING LONG. ONE, A 1.5 HT  >> FREE MONEY FROM ZELLE OR CASH APP JUST FOR FILLING OUT A GOVERNMENT FORM WILL LOTS WITH SOME TIKTOK INFLUENCERS ARE CLAIMING 5 ON YOUR SIDE'S. ASHLEY WROTE A PLANES AT SIMPLY NOT TRUE. VICTIMS OF SCAMS ON PEER TO PEER PAYMENT PLATFORMS LIKE ZELLE OR CASH APP. >> MAY TRY ANYTHING TO GET THEIR MONEY BACK. ENTER DAIRY LABONTE AND GILBERT GRAHAM JUNIOR TO SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS WHO HAVE RACKED UP MILLIONS OF VIEWS INCORRECTLY CLAIMING THAT FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU WILL GET YOU A PAYOUT FROM THESE COMPANIES. EVEN CLAIMING YOU CAN BE COMPENSATED EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A SCAM VICTIM, WHETHER IT HAPPENED, YOU AND THAT WILL PUT IN A CLAIM BECAUSE THEY MIGHT HAVE TO RUN YOU TO CHECK. >> THEY MAKE IT SOUND EASY. EVEN OFFERING COMPLAINT TEMPLATE FOR $77 AND THINGS LIKE A CREDIT REPAIR GUIDE FOR 24 99. SO IT TO SEE IF WE'D BE LOSING FUNDING. THERE'S JUST NOT MUCH OVERSIGHT RIGHT NOW. AND THESE INFLUENCES ARE JUMPING ON THAT. THEY'RE REALLY GOING AFTER PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY. GRAHAM DID NOT RESPOND TO SEE ARES REQUEST FOR COMMENT. DANTE SAYS CASH HAPPENS OR UNFAIRLY TARGETING HIM TO DIVERT ATTENTION AWAY FROM THEIR OWN SHORTCOMINGS IN COMBATING ONLINE FRAUD AND SCAMS. >> CONSUMER REPORTS SAYS IF YOU DID BUY INTO ONE OF THESE INFLUENCERS FINANCIAL PRODUCTS OR FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE, CONSIDER FILING COMPLAINTS WITH THE CFPB. THE FTC AND THE NORTH

Ashley Rowe

Jessica Patrick

Influencers make incorrect claims about free money from payment platforms

Photo by Andres Perez on Unsplash

Viewers told 5 On Your Side about hazards involving in-ground utility boxes near their homes. Our team started getting these emails after a recent story. 

CONTRIBUTION. THEY SAY BY 34%. >> IF YOU ARE TELLING 5 ON YOUR SIDE ABOUT SOME HAZARDS INVOLVING IN-GROUND UTILITY BOXES NEAR THEIR HOMES. OUR TEAM STARTED GETTING THESE EMAILS AFTER A RECENT STORY. KEELY ARTHUR SHOWS US NOW THE PROBLEM THAT NEIGHBORS SAY THEY CAN'T GET FIXED. >> ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, WE TOLD YOU ABOUT AN APEX RESIDENT NAMED MATTHEW PRINT. IT WHO ACCIDENTALLY STEPPED ON AN IN-GROUND UTILITY BOX VERY MUCH LIKE THIS ONE. HE WENT THROUGH IT AND AS A RESULT, NEARLY LOST HIS FOOT. SINCE THEN WE'VE BEEN GETTING E-MAILS FROM YOU SHOWING BROKEN UTILITY BOXES, ALSO KNOWN AS HAND HOLES IN YARDS AND ALONG ROADS. >> IN THESE 2 CASES, NEIGHBORS TOLD US OFF CAMERA THEY CONTACTED THE UTILITY WHO OWNS THE BOX, TOLD THE OWNER IT WAS DANGEROUS AND NEEDED TO BE FIXED. BUT THOSE REQUESTS NEVER WENT ANYWHERE. OTHER NEIGHBORS TOLD US THESE BOXES CAN'T BE LEFT IN THIS CONDITION. THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR STUFF. THERE COULD BE A HAZARD. WE WANTED TO HELP OUT THESE NEIGHBORS AND ALSO FIND OUT WHY THEIR REQUESTS FOR REPAIRS. WE'RE BEING ANSWERED. COMING UP TONIGHT ON WRAL NEWS AT 6, WE'RE GOING TO TELL YOU. >> WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WE TRIED TO REQUEST A REPAIR OF ONE OF THESE UTILITY BOXES AND THE ROADBLOCKS WE RAN INTO KEELY

Ryan Bisesi

Keith Baker

5 On Your Side helps viewers get broken utility boxes repaired

Broken in-ground utility box

Finding a ride that's both reliable and affordable can feel like a gamble. Consumer Reports is here to help with expert advice and exclusive data that empowers you to shop smarter and choose a car that fits your needs and budget.


THOUGH, TO THE SCENE ON THE RADIO. 1, 1.5, HT 3. >> KEN, THANKS. THE AVERAGE PRICE OF THE NEW CAR IS NEARLY $50,000. IF THAT'S GOT YOU THINKING ABOUT GOING USED FOR YOUR NEXT VEHICLE, 5 ON YOUR SIDE'S ASHLEY ROSE. HELPING YOU FIND A RIDE THAT'S BOTH RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE. >> FIRST, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE RELIABILITY PART OF THIS. GET A VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT ON ANY USED CAR. YOU'RE CONSIDERING BUYING AND LOOK AT THE MODELS, RELIABILITY RATINGS GET AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO CHECK THAT OUT AND TAKE IT FOR A THOROUGH TEST DRIVE DOING THIS UP FRONT CAN SAVE YOU A LOT OF MONEY AND HEADACHES LATER ON ON THE COST SIDE OF THINGS, YOU CAN LOSE A LOT IN THE FINE PRINT. CONSUMER REPORTS IS HITTING COSTS LIKE RECONDITIONING LICENSING ARE PRICEY, EXTENDED WARRANTIES CAN PILE UP QUICKLY. DON'T BE AFRAID TO SAY NO. AND ALWAYS ASK ABOUT ANYTHING THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE ON YOUR BILL WHEN IT COMES TO PAYING FOR THE CAR. KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW THE AVERAGE INTEREST RATE ON A USED CAR LOAN ACCORDING TO EXPERIAN IS AROUND 12%. >> EVEN SMALL DIFFERENCES IN INTEREST RATES CAN ADD UP OVER TIME. SO BEFORE YOU GO TO THE DEALERSHIP, CHECK YOUR CREDIT SCORE. GET PREAPPROVED FOR A LOAN FOOT DOWN AS MUCH MONEY AS YOU CAN AND AVOID THOSE LONG-TERM LOANS. >> ACCORDING TO CONSUMER REPORTS, SOME OF THE BEST USED CARS TO TARGET INCLUDE THE 2019 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE 2018 MAZDA CX 5 AND THE 2019 TOYOTA CAMRY

5 On Your Side: Finding the best used car

Toyota Corolla stock photo

If credit card debt has you feeling like you'll never get back ahead of it, know that there are ways to take back control. 5 On Your Side breaks down the steps you can take to start making a dent in your debt. 

<p>OUT THE DOOR TO THIS IN ON THE RADIO. 1, 1.5, HT 3. &gt;&gt; IF CREDIT CARD DEBT, HAS YOU FEELING LIKE YOU'LL NEVER GET BACK AHEAD OF IT KNOW THAT THERE ARE WAYS TO TAKE BACK CONTROL 5 ON YOUR SIDE'S KEELY. ARTHUR BREAKS DOWN THE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO START MAKING A DENT IN YOUR DEBT. &gt;&gt; IF YOU'VE GOT DEBT, YOU'RE FAR FROM ALONE. AMERICANS OWE A COMBINED 1.1, 8 TRILLION DOLLARS IN CREDIT CARD DEBT AND THE AVERAGE BALANCE PER HOUSEHOLD IS AROUND $6,000 LOOKING FOR WAYS TO CUT BACK ON SPENDING AND USING CREDIT CARDS AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE IS ALWAYS THE FIRST OPTION WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO GET OUT OF DEBT. IF YOUR CREDIT SCORE IS IN GOOD SHAPE, YOU COULD MOVE YOUR HIGH INTEREST BALANCE TO A CARD THAT OFFERS 0% INTEREST FOR THE FIRST YEAR. SO JUST TRY TO PAY IT OFF BEFORE THAT PERIOD ENDS. AND THE USUAL HIGH INTEREST KICKS BACK IN ADJUSTING YOUR PAYMENT DATES TO LINE UP WITH YOUR PAYDAY CAN MAKE STAYING ON TOP OF BILLS EASIER. BUT IF YOUR DEBT IS BECOMING TOO MUCH, PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY AND EXPLAIN YOUR SITUATION. ASK FOR A LOWER INTEREST RATE. AND IF THEY OFFER A HARDSHIP PLAN. &gt;&gt; THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY MAY TEMPORARILY LOWER YOUR INTEREST RATE, REDUCE YOUR MINIMUM PAYMENT OR EVEN WAIVE CERTAIN FEES. USUALLY FOR A FEW MONTHS OR EVEN UP TO A YEAR, YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT A REPUTABLE, NON-PROFIT CREDIT COUNSELING AGENCY. THEY MAY BE ABLE TO LOWER YOUR INTEREST RATES AND CONSOLIDATE YOUR DEBT INTO ONE MANAGEABLE MONTHLY PAYMENT.</p>

Mark Bergin

5 On Your Side: Digging out of credit card debt

Credit card on laptop

Get ready for a warmer winter as La Niña makes a comeback, bringing below-normal snowfall to our area. 

La Niña returns: Expect warmer winter with below-normal snowfall for Triangle in 25-26

Pledge right now to provide warm winter wear to children in the Triangle and eastern NC.

Pritchard Strong

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Recent Work

Watch · 1:20Restaurant Ratings: Benny Capitale's, Bojangles, Jamaica Jamaica

Watch · 1:26Influencers make incorrect claims about free money from payment platforms

Watch · 1:305 On Your Side helps viewers get broken utility boxes repaired

Watch · 1:265 On Your Side: Finding the best used car

Watch · 1:555 On Your Side: Digging out of credit card debt