Hi, I’m Scott

I’m a veteran journalist and editor who works at The New York Times. In my current role as director of news for the National desk, I oversee coverage of breaking stories across America (and sometimes beyond).

That means that during major news events, like mass shootings, deadly disasters, a high-profile manhunt and the search for the doomed Titanic tourist sub, I direct the efforts of dozens of journalists to produce visceral, visual real-time reporting.

In between, I edit articles on intriguing topics like a disappearing Spanish dialect, local climate impacts and the evolution of American Sign Language. I have also appeared on the paper’s Headlines podcast to discuss news coverage.
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I joined The Times in 2018 after roles across newspapers, magazines and digital media, where I held beats like night cops and state government; edited science and climate coverage; and won awards for investigative, sports, business, breaking news and public service reporting. Here’s some of my work.

I have also taught at Columbia Journalism School and mentored young journalists through Report for America and The Daily Collegian, Penn State’s student newspaper, where I got my start.