Shelia O'Connor

Reporter

Shelia joined the WAFF 48 team in May of 2017 and has a deep passion for storytelling. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, she is super excited to experience all that the “Rocket City” has to offer.

Shelia graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, so needless to say she is a HUGE Alabama fan!

Shelia started her career as a student reporter/fill-in anchor for the local television station WVUA 23 News in Tuscaloosa, Alabama while she was in school. She covered a variety of topics from the passing of a prominent public figure to fun activities in the Tuscaloosa area. She also learned all the necessary aspects of being a multimedia journalist while also creating life-long connections at the university.

When she’s not cheering on the Tide, Shelia loves exploring the city, trying new food places, and spending a little time on the ice figure skating.

Recent Articles by Shelia

Madison County judge to consider bond for one suspect charged in Madison murder case

Thursday morning, Madison County Judge Alison Austin heard testimony from Hunter Moore’s family in the request that she set a bond.

Shelia O'Connor

Published June 13, 2019 at 8:51 PM

Madison County sheriff asks judge to dismiss subpoena request in capital murder case

Defense attorney’s for Israel Palomino filed a subpoena asking Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner to hand over specific jail records regarding Palomino. Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner has filed a motion asking a judge to dismiss the subpoena

Shelia O'Connor

Published June 13, 2019 at 8:52 AM

‘I love it too much to quit’: Future of SoulStock festival up in the air

The future of SoulStock is in question. Phillip Presley says each year they rely on the day of the event to determine whether or not they’ll be able to host it the next year.

Shelia O'Connor

Published June 11, 2019 at 5:29 PM

Inside look at one of Madison County’s first Scouts BSA all-girls troops

For more than 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America Organization only had one qualification to join the Boy Scouts Program. You had to be a boy. In 2017, the organization announced major changes to two of its iconic programs.

Shelia O'Connor

Published June 6, 2019 at 10:37 PM

Better Business Bureau warns of Summer Moving Scams

Summer is here and many people across the Tennessee Valley may have plans to move. Whether you’re moving across the country, across the state, or even across the city, the Better Business Bureau wants to warn you of potential scammers in the moving industry.

Shelia O'Connor

Published May 29, 2019 at 11:05 AM

While the pay gap between men and women is slowly closing, women are still having to deal with the issue of being paid less than their male coworkers.

Shelia O'Connor

Published May 9, 2019 at 10:27 PM

Local instructor explains the health benefits of doing yoga

Brito says that yoga is about trying to find balance in your life, especially if you have multiple activities you’re having to juggle. She adds that it’s a good way to relax and get good energy flowing through your body.

Shelia O'Connor

Published May 5, 2019 at 8:30 AM

Attorney: Evidence proves capital murder suspect is innocent

Attorney’s for Demorris Lauderdale say they have evidence to prove Lauderdale was not responsible for the shooting death of 19-year-old Austin Rich.

Shelia O'Connor

Published April 25, 2019 at 11:19 AM

“I don’t trust any of the crews.” Parent shares frustration with New Market School construction crew

Eight Madison County Schools are currently undergoing major renovations in order to improve school safety. New Market School is one of those schools. Construction started last year. The plan is to build a new walk-way that connects two buildings, preventing students from having to walk outside in th

Shelia O'Connor

Published April 11, 2019 at 12:51 PM

Madison City Schools looking to hire bus drivers

The school system bought 8 new buses they hope to use by the start of the next school year.

Shelia O'Connor

Published April 8, 2019 at 11:49 AM

Introducing young girls to the STEM field

Friday morning, workers at the Toyota Manufacturing plant in Huntsville hosted 175 6th-8th grade girls from Morris P8, McNair, and the Academy for Academics and Arts for the second annual All Girls Auto Know event.

Shelia O'Connor

Published April 5, 2019 at 9:34 PM

Moe’s BBQ closing in Jones Valley, moving downtown

After 10 years, the owners of Moe’s BBQ in Jones Valley made that tough decision.

Shelia O'Connor and WAFF 48 Digital Staff

Published April 2, 2019 at 8:20 AM

Decatur family searches for answers one month after loved one is killed

One month after 30-year-old Michael Irvin Jr. was shot and killed in his Decatur home, the family are still searching for answers as to who killed Irvin.

Shelia O'Connor

Published March 29, 2019 at 10:45 PM

North Alabama lawmaker proposes bill to legalize medical marijuana

As the 2019 Alabama legislative session resumes, Madison Representative Mike Ball has filed a bill that would legalize medical marijuana. Ball is the same representative that sponsored two bills nearly 5 years ago that became Carly’s Law and Leni’s Law.

Shelia O'Connor

Published March 22, 2019 at 2:46 PM

Madison County schools switch to online registration

The Madison County School system are getting ready to make registering your kids for school a lot easier. The school system will switch to online registration beginning Monday, March 11th.

Shelia O'Connor

Published March 11, 2019 at 7:43 AM

Huntsville’s transportation department to implement service changes after transportation study

After conducting a transportation study, Huntsville’s Parking and Transportation Department will implement several different changes to the bus services.

Shelia O'Connor

Published March 8, 2019 at 8:39 AM

Grant Street Church in Decatur helping Lee County Tornado Victims

Members of Grant Street Church in Decatur are working to collect various different items to take to the tornado victims.

Shelia O'Connor

Published March 5, 2019 at 11:31 AM

Developers say Town Madison construction still on schedule despite historic rain

The historic rain event that left much of the Tennessee Valley under water, hasn’t effected many construction projects in the area. One major one in the works is Town Madison off Zierdt Road.

Shelia O'Connor

Published February 28, 2019 at 12:42 PM

“We don’t want it approved.” Madison residents against proposed housing development on Kyser Boulevard

Developers want to build town homes that would attract seniors and millenials to the City of Madison on Kyser Boulevard. Homeowners who live on the street are in an uproar over the proposed development.

Shelia O'Connor

Published February 15, 2019 at 8:43 AM

Two new housing developments coming to Madison

The council approved two new housing developments at the January 28th city council meeting. This has concerned some members of the Madison City School Board.

Shelia O'Connor

Published February 11, 2019 at 7:27 PM

Alabama Senator Richard Shelby updates Huntsville city leaders on what’s going on in Washington

Alabama Senator Richard Shelby provided an update to Huntsville city leaders on what’s currently going on in Washington. He addressed city leaders at a breakfast held at the Von Braun Center North Hall Monday morning.

Shelia O'Connor

Published February 4, 2019 at 11:34 AM

Will the jury buy the insanity defense in Madison Co. death penalty trial?

Doctors say Marc Stone suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and told them that he needed to save his wife and son by killing them due to delusional beliefs at the time of the time of their murders.

Shelia O'Connor and Lindsey Connell

Published February 1, 2019 at 6:48 PM

The number of cars having their odometers tampered with are rising in Alabama. Odometer fraud is when someone rolls the number back on the odometer to show less mile than what is actually on the car.