http://www.marconews.com/staff/laura-layden/<p><strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/llayden1">■ Friend me on Facebook</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/ndn_llayden/">■ Follow me on Twitter</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/laura-layden/12/5ba/b85">■ Look me up on LinkedIn</a></strong></p> <p>My love for journalism sparked in high school.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>I went on to major in journalism at the University of Florida in Gainesville. “Go Gators.” </p> <p>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. </p> <p>I was driven back to newspapers when given an opportunity to become a business reporter at Miami Today, covering Miami-Dade County government.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family.</p> <p>I have two children, Luke, a sixth grader with a big heart, and Alexis, a first grader with a big, bright smile. They keep me busy playing basketball, singing on Rock Band Wii, swimming and twirling.</p> <p>I love movies, dancing, biking, gardening, taking photos and laughing with my husband, whose sense of humor keeps me going. </p> Covering business keeps me busy. There's always something new to learn. en-ushttp://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365946/Double stabbings in Immokalee on Sunday, Dec. 18, led to an arrest. Alfonso Perez-Lopez, 28, of ImmMon, 19 Dec 2011 04:08:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365946/http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365945/Double stabbings in Immokalee on Sunday, Dec. 18, led to an arrest. Alfonso Perez-Lopez, 28, of ImmMon, 19 Dec 2011 04:03:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365945/http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365944/Double stabbings in Immokalee on Sunday, Dec. 18, led to an arrest. Alfonso Perez-Lopez, 28, of ImmMon, 19 Dec 2011 04:00:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365944/http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365943/Double stabbings in Immokalee on Sunday, Dec. 18, led to an arrest. Alfonso Perez-Lopez, 28, of ImmoMon, 19 Dec 2011 03:53:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365943/http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365942/Double stabbings in Immokalee on Sunday, Dec. 18, led to an arrest. Alfonso Perez-Lopez, 28, of ImmoMon, 19 Dec 2011 03:49:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365942/http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365941/Double stabbings in Immokalee on Sunday, Dec. 18, led to an arrest. Alfonso Perez-Lopez, 28, of ImmMon, 19 Dec 2011 03:44:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365941/http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365940/Double stabbings in Immokalee on Sunday, Dec. 18, led to an arrest. Alfonso Perez-Lopez, 28, of ImmMon, 19 Dec 2011 03:40:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/dec/18/365940/http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/jul/08/320875/The Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach Inc. has announced it will share listingFri, 08 Jul 2011 16:10:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/jul/08/320875/http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/jul/08/320870/The Realtor Association of Great Fort Myers and the Beach Inc. and the Naples Area Board of RealtorFri, 08 Jul 2011 16:02:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/jul/08/320870/http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/may/07/305420/A Norris Home Furnishings store will soon open at 5015 U.S. 41 North in North Naples. It will get a Sat, 07 May 2011 04:05:23 -0000http://www.marconews.com/photos/2011/may/07/305420/