Ryan Hayes-Owens is a multimedia journalist for Spectrum News 1 North Carolina.

Before joining the North Carolina team, Ryan worked as a multimedia journalist with Spectrum News 1 in our northern Kentucky Bureau.

A proud Chicago native, Ryan's journey to journalism began as a Posse Scholar at Agnes Scott College in Georgia, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology and Anthropology. She would later go on to receive her master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, specializing in video and broadcast journalism.

While at Medill, Ryan worked as a multimedia journalist, anchor, and field producer for Chicago This Week on CAN-TV, the city’s public television station. The show was nominated for Best College Student Production by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Chicago/Midwest Chapter. She also served as an Editorial and Publishing Fellow with Medill Reports, working closely with other student journalists providing editing support for publication on the platform.

In the Summer of 2023, Ryan worked behind the scenes at ABC 7 Chicago, the city’s number one station as a promotions and publicity intern. During her time there she worked on the Windy City Weekend show and produced internal company content.

Her journalism has taken her as far as Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she reported in Spanish and produced a mini documentary about a young burn survivor who received mural tattoos by international artist Diego Staropoli, transforming her scars.

When she is not reporting, Ryan enjoys exploring new neighborhoods, trying local restaurants, and building community. You can reach her via email at ryan.hayes-owens@charter.com or follow her on Instagram and X.