A team of University of South Florida student journalists with Z News will produce a special live election show on Tuesday, Nov. 3, bringing election-night reporting and updates to viewers across the Tampa Bay region.
The production will involve nearly 60 students from the Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications, six faculty members and two staff members working across multiple platforms to deliver election results. Student reporters will be stationed at candidate watch parties to capture reactions and provide updates from the field, while the newsroom will coordinate coverage and deliver timely election information on the Z News website and social media channels.
Through the newsroom experience, students develop news judgment, critical-thinking skills and the ability to report accurately and work collaboratively under deadline.
“This production has been in the works for more than six months,” Stephanie Elder, associate professor of instruction and news director, said. “This livestream is planned by the students in the Z News class, but it brings together students from all majors within the Z School. The election-night production will allow students to apply the training they receive in the classroom in a live coverage environment, coordinating field reports and newsroom updates as election results and developments unfold.”
Grace Dola, a senior mass communications major, was selected as the news producer for the live election show because of her outstanding work in the Z News course, Elder said. She, along with assistant producer Sarah Diamond, has coordinated all aspects of coverage from pre-produced content to creating the show rundown and scripts.
“I am honored to have been selected to produce the live election show,” Dola said. “Not only does it hold a great responsibility, but a great achievement as well. I am filled with gratitude to be part of a dedicated team to create this year’s 2026 midterm election live show.”
The live show will begin at 8 p.m. and stream on the Z News YouTube channel. Viewers can find the channel at youtube.com/@ZNewsUSF.
Z News is an award-winning student-run news operation at USF’s Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications. Its newsbreak airs on WEDQ, a PBS station serving the Tampa Bay area, and its journalism is distributed online and through social media.
The program gives students hands-on experience in television and digital journalism, including reporting, anchoring, writing, editing, producing, graphic design, studio operations, field production and social media. Through the newsroom experience, students develop news judgment, critical-thinking skills and the ability to report accurately and work collaboratively under deadline.
“Z News is giving students real-world experience that we would not be able to achieve in traditional classrooms and courses,” Dola said.
Z News was named the 2026 Signature Station of the Year by the Broadcast Education Association.