Nashville, Tennessee --- The Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) announced today that former WSMV reporter, Laura McPherson, has joined the agency as Public Information Officer. In this role, McPherson will serve as one of two spokespersons for the department along with Mike Browning, who was recently promoted to director of public affairs.

“Laura is a hard-working dedicated professional journalist who will serve the department, the media and the state well and I look forward to working with her,” said Browning.

McPherson came to Nashville in 2002 to work as a general assignment reporter for WSMV-TV, Channel 4, with coverage of breaking news and law enforcement among her many assignments. McPherson has more than 11 years of experience in television news and radio. She started her career as a producer for WJTV, Channel 12, in Jackson, Mississippi, where she also worked several years as a weekend anchor. In Jackson, the Associated Press recognized McPherson with a number of awards, including best investigative and spot news.

A Texas native, McPherson left the south to attend the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in New York, where she graduated with honors in Broadcast Journalism.

Effective immediately, news media seeking information from the Department of Safety may contact either Mike Browning or Laura McPherson by calling the TDOS Medialine at 615-251-5131. During non-business hours, news media should generally call Laura McPherson for crash reports at 615-969-2094 and Mike Browning at 615-969-2136 for other Department of Safety matters.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.