Casey Phillips has worked as a features reporter in the Life department since May 2007. He writes about entertainment, consumer technology, animals and news of the weird. Casey hails from Knoxville and earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism and a bachelor of arts in German from Middle Tennessee State University, where he worked as the features editor for the student newspaper, Sidelines. Casey's writing has earned numerous accolades, including first and second place awards for technology reporting from the regional Green Eyeshade Awards (in 2012 and 2013), the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists Award of Excellence for Reviewing/Criticism (in 2007 and 2011) and frequent recognition from the Tennessee Press Association. In his spare time, he is an Irish musician, video game fanatic, movie junkie, avid reader and all-around geek extraordinaire. He also enjoys exercising, cooking and puppies, but not at the same time.