Marie Waxel is an experienced broadcast journalist and news anchor at WAAY-TV 31 in Huntsville, Alabama, where she plays a key role in delivering daily news coverage to viewers across North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. With a strong foundation in both reporting and anchoring, she has developed a reputation for accuracy, clarity, and a steady on-air presence.

At WAAY-TV, Marie anchors newscasts and contributes to editorial decisions, helping shape coverage on major local and regional stories. Her work spans breaking news, severe weather coverage, investigative pieces, and human-interest features that highlight the people and issues impacting the community. She is known for her ability to communicate complex information in a way that is accessible and engaging for a broad audience.

Marie’s career in journalism includes experience in multimedia reporting, live field coverage, and in-studio anchoring. She has covered a wide range of topics, including public safety, education, local government, and community development. Her reporting often emphasizes accuracy, accountability, and storytelling that resonates with viewers.In addition to her on-air work, Marie is actively involved in the Huntsville community, participating in local events and initiatives that strengthen connections between the newsroom and the public it serves. Her approach to journalism reflects a commitment to integrity, transparency, and public trust.

Marie holds a degree in broadcast journalism (or related field), where she developed skills in writing, reporting, editing, and media production. She continues to adapt to the evolving media landscape, incorporating digital platforms and social media to expand the reach and impact of her reporting.

Her professional strengths include:News anchoring and live broadcastingBreaking news and field reportingInterviewing and storytellingEditorial judgment and newsroom collaborationCommunity engagement and public communication

Marie Waxel brings professionalism, experience, and a strong sense of purpose to her role, making her a respected voice in local journalism and a valuable contributor to the WAAY-TV news team.

For more information on Marie, visit https://waaytv.com

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapA

Watch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomH

Audio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts.

Follow us on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Bio from Sean Wiswesser's LinkedIn page:"I have spent 30 years in national security, serving with the CIA, State Department, and now in the private sector. My career has been defined by one focus: understanding foreign intelligence services and helping the U.S. and its allies stay ahead of evolving intelligence, defense, and other national security threats.

As a senior operations officer with the CIA, I led human intelligence operations worldwide — including in conflict zones and denied areas — while mentoring the next generation of intelligence professionals. I earlier served as a Foreign Service Officer with the State Department and now advise Department of Defense programs as a senior technical consultant. With professional fluency in Russian, a Top Secret/SCI clearance, and decades of interagency experience, I bring both operational depth and strategic perspective. I am published author and lecturer on Russian intelligence, espionage, and the Russian military.

My work has appeared in multiple volumes and articles, and I have a forthcoming book on Russian intelligence and espionage tradecraft (early 2026). I am a contributing writer for the CIPHER BRIEF in Washington, D.C., a leading provider of critical reporting and analysis for policymakers, defense and intelligence professionals.I frequently deliver guest lectures at universities and international forums, making complex intelligence topics accessible to students, professionals, and policymakers.

Whether helping a defense program translate operational requirements into results or discussing Russian tradecraft with a classroom, I focus on one thing — equipping people with the knowledge to anticipate threats before they become crises.If you’re seeking a speaker, writer, consultant, or advisor on issues of intelligence, espionage, or national security, I welcome the opportunity to connect"

Order your copy of his book right now: https://a.co/d/03KvHepo

Find Sean on X @Wiswesser

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomH

Audio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts.

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Christie Finley is an accomplished education leader and former Superintendent of Huntsville City Schools, one of Alabama’s most prominent and rapidly growing school systems. With a career spanning more than two decades in public education, Finley has built a reputation for strong organizational leadership, student-centered decision making, and a commitment to academic excellence in diverse and high-performing communities.

Before being named superintendent, Finley served Huntsville City Schools in several key leadership roles, including Chief Academic Officer and Deputy Superintendent. In these positions, she played an instrumental role in shaping district-wide instructional strategy, improving curriculum alignment, supporting teacher development, and expanding academic opportunities for students across elementary, middle, and high schools. Her leadership contributed to Huntsville City Schools maintaining its standing as one of the top-performing districts in Alabama, particularly noted for strong outcomes in college readiness, STEM education, and Advanced Placement participation.

As superintendent, Finley oversaw a district serving approximately 23,000 students across more than 40 schools in a city nationally recognized for its ties to engineering, defense, and space exploration. Working in a community closely connected to NASA, Redstone Arsenal, and a thriving technology sector, Finley prioritized initiatives that supported workforce readiness, STEM pathways, and partnerships with local higher education institutions and industry leaders.

During her tenure, Finley guided the district through significant challenges facing K–12 education nationwide, including pandemic-era learning disruption, staffing pressures, and evolving expectations around academic performance and school accountability. She worked closely with the Huntsville City Schools Board of Education, educators, parents, and community stakeholders to navigate complex policy decisions while maintaining focus on student achievement and operational stability.

Finley is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, emphasizing communication, transparency, and strategic planning. Her approach has been characterized by a willingness to engage stakeholders across differing perspectives while focusing on long-term outcomes for students and families. Colleagues often describe her as thoughtful, steady, and deeply committed to the mission of public education.

Throughout her career, Finley has been an advocate for continuous improvement in teaching and learning, emphasizing data-informed decision making, professional development for educators, and the importance of building strong school cultures. Her work reflects a belief that successful school systems require both academic rigor and strong relationships between educators, families, and the broader community.

Today’s conversation explores Christie Finley’s leadership journey, lessons learned from guiding a major public school district, and insights into the evolving landscape of education in a fast-growing city like Huntsville. A native of Alabama and graduate of Auburn University, Christie is married to Kirk Finley and they have two sons.

For more information on Christie Finley and Leadership Greater Huntsville, visit https://leadershiphsv.orgHost/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapAWatch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts.Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/