Kailey Cota

Breaking news and public safety reporter at The Post and Courier, University of South Carolina Alum

columbia, south carolina, united states

Publications:

Is this you?

Claim your profile to connect with sources, showcase your work, and earn extra income just by writing great stories.

About

I'm a breaking news and public safety reporter in Charleston. I cover the criminal justice system and tell the stories of the people involved in it. Previously, I graduated from the University of South Carolina and worked at The Current, The State, The Daily Gamecock and The Carolina News and Reporter. Additionally, I was the 2021 South Carolina Collegiate Journalist of the Year and am a 2022 graduate of the Financial Times news school.

Featured Articles

Ex-SC officer's manslaughter trial begins for shooting

GEORGETOWN — A former police officer is on trial more than four years after she fatally shot an unarmed motorist in the chest at the end of a pursuit that led her miles outside of her jurisdiction. Cassandra Ann Dollard’s voluntary manslaughter trial bega... See more

postandcourier.com•Kailey Cota•Feb 19, 2026

Ex-SC officer's manslaughter trial set to begin for shooting

GEORGETOWN — A former Hemingway police officer is set to stand trial more than four years after she fatally shot an unarmed motorist in the chest following a pursuit that stretched miles outside her jurisdiction. Cassandra Ann Dollard’s voluntary manslaug... See more

postandcourier.com•Kailey Cota•Feb 16, 2026

Johns Island police shooting reflects SC trend

Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from the original breaking news article that can be found here. JOHNS ISLAND — A Feb. 11 shooting in which a Charleston County sheriff’s deputy was struck in his bulletproof vest highlighted a real-but-rare reality: most ... See more

postandcourier.com•Kailey Cota•Feb 14, 2026

SCDOT treated roads with salt ahead of snow, winter weather

It takes effort to prepare the typically sunny Palmetto State for snow and ice. State and local officials coordinated ahead of back-to-back weekends of winter weather to prep for the freezing cold. The S.C. Department of Transportation sprayed a collectiv... See more

postandcourier.com•Kailey Cota•Feb 1, 2026

Charleston SC: Sunday winter weather forecast

Editor's Note: Post and Courier journalists will bring you updates on this rapidly developing story throughout the day. If you want to share your experiences, photos or videos, email newstips@postandcourier.com. CHARLESTON — The risk of more snow has ende... See more

postandcourier.com•Kailey Cota•Feb 1, 2026

Is this you?

Claim your profile to connect with sources, showcase your work, and earn extra income just by writing great stories.

Claim your profile

Social Media

Pitching Guidelines

Keep it short (under 200 words)
Include credentials and links
Use subject lines with query title

Pitching Guidelines

Quick Stats

Followers

549

Articles5

Last Article3 days ago

Stats

Education

Journalism, Multimedia at University Of South CarolinaGraduated: 2023

Education

Contact

Kailey Cota

Is this you?

About

Featured Articles

Ex-SC officer's manslaughter trial begins for shooting

Ex-SC officer's manslaughter trial set to begin for shooting

Johns Island police shooting reflects SC trend

SCDOT treated roads with salt ahead of snow, winter weather

Charleston SC: Sunday winter weather forecast

Is this you?

Social Media

Education

Connect with journalists.

Connect with journalists.

Social Media

Education

Featured Articles

Ex-SC officer's manslaughter trial begins for shooting

Ex-SC officer's manslaughter trial set to begin for shooting

Johns Island police shooting reflects SC trend

SCDOT treated roads with salt ahead of snow, winter weather

Charleston SC: Sunday winter weather forecast