Photographer documents disappearing local newsrooms

• Asia Tabb
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
  She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
  
  Previously she was an anchor in Shreveport, Louisiana at KTAL/KMSS. Asia also worked as a Multi-Media Journalist at WHP-TV here in Harrisburg, PA.
  
  Asia got her break into news at KTVO in Ottumwa, Ia. While the 2020 caucuses were gearing up. Asia followed many candidates through their campaign trail from Senator Cory Booker, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
  
  Asia was born and raised in Norfolk, Va. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2018 with a major in Communications.
  
  Asia is extremely friendly so don’t be afraid to say hi if you see her out and about.

photo courtesy of Ann Hermes

aired; May 20, 2026

Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation. 

As local newspapers continue to shrink or close across the country, photojournalist Ann Hermes is working to preserve the spaces and people behind community journalism before they disappear.

Hermes’ ongoing photo project captures local newsrooms during a period of major change for the industry, documenting the routines, environments, and institutions that have long shaped public life and local democracy. Her work highlights both the nostalgia and the uncertainty surrounding the future of local news.

On The Spark, Hermes discusses the inspiration behind the project, what she has seen while photographing newsrooms across the country, and why the decline of local journalism carries consequences far beyond the newsroom itself.