Herald-Leader Expands Kentucky Coverage with Three New Reporters
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Key takeaways
- The Herald-Leader added three journalists to strengthen coverage of state politics, Lexington city hall, and Eastern Kentucky’s rural region.
- Austin R. Ramsey will cover Eastern Kentucky and environmental journalism statewide, with an investigative focus.
- Adrian Paul Bryant will report on Lexington city hall and Fayette County government, bringing civics-focused storytelling.
- Hannah Pinski joins the Bluegrass Politics team to cover the statehouse and major political developments.
- The hires emphasize accountability reporting and expanded local coverage in a busy political year.
Table of contents
Eastern Kentucky & environment
Three new reporters are expanding the Herald-Leader’s footprint in Central and Eastern Kentucky. Austin R. Ramsey joined in November and is based outside Pikeville, charged with sweeping Appalachia, covering breaking, political and business news, and the state’s coal region, with a focus on investigative and daily environmental journalism statewide. Ramsey previously worked at Bloomberg Industry Group, covering federal employee benefits and pensions, and has stints in Owensboro, Calhoun and Murray. He holds a master’s degree in investigative journalism from American University. “I’m honored to be entrusted with telling the story of Eastern Kentucky in Eastern Kentucky, because I believe living here is the only way I can fairly and accurately describe the resilience and environmental richness that makes Central Appalachia unique,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey’s early work includes analyzing high power bills, detailing delays in a high-profile criminal case, and examining the financial and community fate of a historic theater. He will operate under central service editor Jackie Starkey.
Lexington city hall
Adrian Paul Bryant joined Herald-Leader in late November to cover Lexington’s city hall and Fayette County government, leveraging his experience as an information specialist with CivicLex. He is well-connected with local issues and players, aiming to keep residents informed on daily government work and to empower civic engagement. I am truly honored to join a team of reporters whose work I have long read and admired,
Bryant said. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from Eastern Kentucky University. He will report as part of the metro team under Starkey and has already started covering contract decisions, downtown development, and the city’s park controversy.
Starkey remarked that “the addition of Austin and Adrian to our staff underscores the Herald-Leader’s desire to deliver quality, dogged journalism for Central and Eastern Kentucky.”
Kentucky statehouse
Hannah Pinski joined the Herald-Leader in late December as a statehouse reporter with the Bluegrass Politics team. She will provide daily coverage of the legislative session and key players Kentucky politics, including a potential presidential run by the governor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa. “I’m excited to join the Herald-Leader during an exciting time in Kentucky politics,” Pinski said. The Bluegrass Politics team also includes John Cheves, Piper Hansen, Austin Horn and Alex Acquisto. Pinski will report to politics and public affairs editor Tessa Duvall.
“With two legislative sessions under her belt, Hannah knows her way around Frankfort, the key players at the Capitol and what’s going on in Kentucky politics,” Duvall said. The Herald-Leader emphasizes accountability reporting as a core strength.
Source: https://www.kentucky.com/news/state/kentucky/article314126737.html
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