I’m Louie Tran, a reporter for KIRO 7 with a passion for investigative and solution-based journalism. Join me on KIRO 7 News Monday through Friday at 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m. 7 Questions With Louie: 1. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Tacoma, near Federal Way! 2. Why did you become a journalist? After working in consulting in Los Angeles for about five years, I found my passion in journalism. I strongly believe life is about service and helping others, and believe people genuinely want to feel seen, heard and understood. Journalism allows me to share people’s voices and raise awareness about key overlooked issues, hoping it can lead to positive changes while bringing people together. 3. What cities have you worked in during your journalism career? I started my journalism career at WPTA in Fort Wayne, Indiana and later transitioned to WXII in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After working half a decade in both markets, I moved back home to Seattle to work with the amazing KIRO 7 News team! 4. What’s the most memorable story you’ve ever covered? There are so many impactful stories to choose from, but there are a couple that personally stood out to me. During my time in Fort Wayne, I covered an overlooked food desert where there were significantly fewer grocery stores and healthy food options in the area compared to other communities -- which affected thousands of families. The report raised awareness on the issue, which led to discussions with the city government on its plans to address the issue. I also investigated a severe EMS worker shortage in Winston-Salem that was leading to longer response times for emergency calls, putting the lives of families at risk. The county government held formal discussions, including increasing workers’ pay and benefits, to recruit more workers. 5. What are you most proud of in your career in news? I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built. Many people, who shared their stories with me during a vulnerable moment of their lives, trusted me -- a stranger at the time -- to share their voice in a responsible and accurate way. Those moments I do not take lightly or for granted. 6. What’s something people don’t know about you? I love traveling. My study-abroad trip in South Africa sparked my passion to explore the world and learn about different cultures. I’ve backpacked across several countries, including Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. I also love the outdoors and hiking. I drove across the country by myself visiting 13 states, including Utah, where I explored Zion National Park and hiked nearly 1,500 feet high on Angels Landing. 7. What do you like to do when you’re not working? When I am not working, I love spending time with family and friends. I also love reading, exploring the outdoors, discovering new coffee shops and brunch restaurants, and listening to podcasts. Staying active and healthy is very important to me so I am often at the gym working out and meditating.