Andrew V. Pestano

While in college, I had the advantage of working inside WUFT’s newsroom during a pivotal transition toward digital journalism. I was part of the early effort that evolved into the University of Florida’s Innovation News Center, where I received real newsroom experience alongside my coursework.

Apart from reporting and publishing news on WUFT.org, I explored other roles, including anchoring television and radio news segments, which helped me grow comfortable behind the scenes and on air. Drawn to challenge, I also took advanced reporting coursework.

📰 My first print byline+

My first job after college proved to be both demanding and formative. I joined United Press International as part of a small, fast-moving team, working under tight deadlines and article-based pay (initially $10 per article, later $12 after a promotion). It was a grind, but it forced consistency, speed and discipline.

To get paid, I had to write. I worked under a fantastic, no-nonsense editor who pushed for accuracy and efficiency. The pace was relentless, beginning with 6 a.m. shifts covering the day’s top news before transitioning into deeper reporting. Over time, the experience sharpened every aspect of my journalism, from reporting and writing to editing and news judgment.

While at UPI, I wrote more than 4,000 articles and became known for my resourcefulness, which led to my promotion to weekend editor. As I gained experience, I focused increasingly on my specialization, primarily Latin America and global conflict, building beat expertise alongside the speed required in a wire newsroom.

📰 Death scare prompts demand to visit jailed Venezuelan leader+

After a death scare, the family of Leopoldo López is demanding to see the imprisoned Venezuelan opposition leader.

To read more, click here.

📰 Islamic State destroys Mosul’s Great Mosque of al-Nuri+

The U.S.-led coalition said ISIS destroyed Mosul’s al-Hadba minaret and the 845-year-old Great Mosque of al-Nuri, where leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the “caliphate.”

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While my time at UPI sharpened my writing and digital reporting, NBC 6 / Telemundo 51 expanded my experience across nearly every aspect of modern journalism. Based in South Florida, I worked in what was then the market’s only fully bilingual newsroom and served as the sole bilingual editor, managing content for both NBC 6 and Telemundo 51 and balancing two audiences and workflows simultaneously.

My role spanned digital publishing and broadcast collaboration. I managed social media and YouTube, coordinated live streams with the TV newsroom, produced digital-only segments with anchors, edited video and covered major breaking news events, including hurricanes. It was a fast, demanding environment that strengthened my ability to operate across platforms with precision and composure. As a bonus, I also made wonderful lifelong friends.

📰 NBC 6 — ‘Unjustified’: Scott Israel Vows to Fight Suspension From Post as Sheriff+

Scott Israel, suspended on Friday from his post as Broward County’s sheriff, said the move by Florida’s new governor was politically motivated.

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📰 Telemundo 51 — Le hallaron $22 millones en cubos y llega a un acuerdo+

El hombre que ocultó $22 millones de presuntos fondos del tráfico de marihuana mantendrá $4 millones, su casa y su tienda de jardinería.

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Based in New York City, I worked on NBC News’ national desk, covering U.S. and international news for more than a dozen local broadcast markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and Chicago.

I managed national news pages, wrote breaking stories and responded to urgent requests from local stations, often under significant deadline pressure. During the coronavirus pandemic, the pace and stakes intensified, requiring sharp editorial judgment, cross-market coordination and precise reporting.

Beyond daily coverage, I contributed to national initiatives, including social media campaigns and coordinated programming around major events such as the Olympics and NBC’s Clear the Shelters campaign, helping ensure consistent messaging across markets. The role strengthened my ability to operate calmly and effectively in high-pressure, national news environments.

📰 Since George Floyd’s murder, killings by police have continued+

Despite efforts to stop the bloodshed through reforms, names continue to be added to the list of those killed by law enforcement.

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📰 Political polarization is a dating love-block and may be worse in Trump’s second term+

Political polarization has reached a point where dating deal-breakers increased and are split along partisan lines.

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At Hedgehog, I stepped into the tech startup world to help build and launch a new social media platform. It was a shift from the newsroom to a product environment, and it forced me to think about communication as something that had to be designed, not just published. Word choice, moderation policies and even small UX decisions like button placement had a real impact on how people interacted.

I worked closely with engineers and designers while also talking directly with users, which meant I often found myself in tough conversations with people skeptical of journalism. Those exchanges weren’t always pleasant, but they reinforced the principles of listening first, staying calm and responding with facts instead of defensiveness.

I worked as Playboy’s Sex & Relationships writer during a period when the brand was redefining its digital voice. I covered dating, culture and modern relationships through an inclusive, sex-positive lens, writing about consent, sexual health, emotional maturity and diversity for readers who were often figuring these issues out in real time.

The job required both strong editorial judgment and an understanding of what would actually reach people online. I wrote SEO-optimized pieces that connected with Playboy’s largely young male audience while working closely with editors to refine tone and shape the broader content strategy. Within a few months, weekly page views grew from under 10,000 to nearly 150,000.

The experience was fast-paced, creative and anything but boring. The links below are safe for work!

📰 First Date Jitters? Try Playboy’s 5 Top Tips for the Big Night+

Securing a first date is half the battle. Now, as you’re likely full of hope and uncertainty, you must get ready to go out with a stranger.

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📰 What Is Polyamory? A Guide to Open Relationships+

In our globalized world, people constantly learn more about alternative lifestyles. While monogamy is perfectly good for many, one size does not fit all.

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