LAURA LAYDEN, Multimedia Journalist - Naples Daily News's Department

About LAURA LAYDEN

Information

Biography

My love for journalism sparked in high school.

Recognizing my love for writing and telling stories, my business teacher for a co-op program that allowed students to spend half the day at work, encouraged me to apply for a job at a local newspaper, The South Dade News Leader in Homestead, on Florida’s east coast. I got a job there as a clerk/typist. I had the opportunity to write stories, here and there, and saw reporters there in action. I was hooked.

I went on to major in journalism at the University of Florida in Gainesville. “Go Gators.”

After graduation, I worked for the Hollywood Sun in Broward County as an education reporter. A few months later, I became an assistant editor at South Florida magazine in Miami, where I interned during college.

I was driven back to newspapers when given an opportunity to become a business reporter at Miami Today, covering Miami-Dade County government.

Five years later, I needed a change _ professionally and personally. Newly married, my husband, Roy, and I moved to Southwest Florida, where I became a business editor at the Bonita Banner. About a year later, I moved to the downtown Naples office to become a business reporter for the Naples Daily, covering everything from agriculture to the economy.

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family.

I have two children, Luke, a fifth grader with a big heart, and Alexis, a kindergartner with a big, bright smile. They keep me busy playing basketball, singing on Rock Band Wii, swimming and twirling.

I love movies, dancing, biking, gardening, taking photos and laughing with my husband, whose sense of humor keeps me going.

Covering business keeps me busy. There's always something new to learn.

Position History

Multimedia Journalist
Newsroom
11/20/2007 - current

RSS Feeds

Lower gas prices, improved economy boost Memorial Day travel to Collier, Lee Published 05/25/2012 at 6:30 a.m. 25 Comments
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer – and if the holiday weekend is a sign of what's to come, it should be a busier summer for the tourism industry in Southwest Florida this year.
Union plans to attend HMA shareholders meeting to protest executive pay system Published 05/21/2012 at 8 p.m. 19 Comments
Naples-based Health Management Associates Inc. has found itself a target of an aggressive health-care union, which is protesting the way the company determines the pay for its top executives.
Fewer owe Collier County property taxes in 2011 compared to 2010 Published 05/15/2012 at 5:30 a.m. 1 Comment
In another sign that the local economy is improving, more owners paid their property taxes in Collier County last year.
Profits up 174 percent at Alico Inc. Published 05/11/2012 at 7:17 p.m.
Most of the company’s revenues in the second quarter came from its citrus operations. Those revenues grew to $45.4 million, compared to $31.6 million last year.
World view: Collier tourism director expects more international visitors this summer Published 05/10/2012 at 5:30 a.m. 14 Comments
Summer looks sunny for the tourism industry in Collier County. At an industry briefing today, Jack Wert, the county's tourism director, plans to share his predictions for a bright summer, including an expected increase in group meetings.
Collier tourism 'bucket list' ads will target Florida's east coast Published 05/07/2012 at 5 p.m. 14 Comments
That sums up this year's spring/summer campaign, designed to bring more tourists to Collier County. Launched last month, it asks, "What's on your summer bucket list?" Advertisements show a champagne bucket or a sand bucket.
Antaramian to pay elections fine for '08 support of Obama, Democratic committee Published 05/05/2012 at 6 p.m. 65 Comments
Naples developer Jack Antaramian has agreed to pay a $15,000 fine to the Federal Election Commission for giving too much to President Barack Obama's election campaign in 2008 and making other prohibited and excessive contributions to the Democratic National Committee.
New Robb & Stucky showroom in downtown Naples breaks ground Updated 05/04/2012 at 5:08 p.m. 34 Comments
It will be a furniture showroom like no other. The 60,000 square foot showroom – a prototype store for the new ownership of Robb & Stucky – will be the first building to rise in the Naples downtown district since ...
Hot homes: Two Naples mansions sell for more than $40 million each Updated 05/02/2012 at 6:04 p.m. 65 Comments
Two is better than one. Naples has seen two record home sales in less than two months.
Hot spot: March tourism up 5 percent in Collier County Published 04/30/2012 at 5 p.m. 2 Comments
Tourism heated up in March. As winter slipped away, Collier County saw a record number of visitors staying in hotels and other vacation rentals in March.