Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Nick has a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast News from Grand Valley State University. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.
He's also traveled the country to cover one of the most impactful stories in that area: whether or not the Sacramento Kings would relocate. And yes, if you're wondering, he was there when the San Francisco Giants swept the Tigers for the World Series in 2012 (sorry!).
Prior to Sacramento, Nick was a reporter at WZZM 13 in Grand Rapids.
"After less than an hour in the Local 4 Newsroom, I knew I made the right choice to come home," he said. "The producers, reporters, photojournalists and the rest of the newsroom staff have a unique passion for this city. Many people here got here and never left. It's the kind of place I wanted to be."
Monacelli's career in television began at an early age, when he helped produce a teenage talk show at Shelby TV, the local municipal station in Shelby Township. The show didn't last long, but his love for TV did.
Less than a year later, Nick started reporting there, learning the journalism ropes from broadcasting legend Philip Nye.
He would later earn a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast News from Grand Valley State University. After graduation, he stayed in Grand Rapids and taught an undergraduate news workshop course at GVSU while reporting at WZZM. In 2009, the company convinced him to move across the country to California.
So, why move from sunny California, to Michigan … in February? Family.
Nick and his wife, Jennifer, have two children and decided it was time to get closer to those they missed most. Plus, free babysitters!
He says he couldn't ask for a better career, despite the misconceptions.
"When asked about my job, everyone wants to know if it's anything like 'Anchorman'. I usually say, 'Well, there aren't any newsroom fights (at least not physical ones), we don't high-five each other (unless no one else is looking), and we don't purposely sabotage a co-worker's career (I would hope not). The competitive edge is definitely similar, as is the lackadaisical attitude on set. Plus, you can always hear someone laughing or singing from their desk'."
While some are eager to resume in-person work as things return to normal, many people have found that they prefer working remotely and want to keep it that way.
