Wisconsin now has a fresh set of eyes and ears covering Wisconsin state government with the launch of WisconsinReporter.com. Wisconsin Reporter is a group of seasoned and talented journalists covering issues of importance to Wisconsin. Wisconsin Reporter is a product of the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, a national nonprofit journalism organization.
“The launch of WisconsinReporter.com is a direct response to the recent cutbacks by cash-strapped news organizations and the gaping hole in investigative and capitol news coverage. Wisconsin Reporter will fill the news void and cover the issues that matter to the residents of Wisconsin,” said Franklin Center President Jason Stverak. “With the decreasing media presence at state capitols fewer media watchdogs are working to keep our elected officials and bureaucrats accountable. Wisconsin Reporter will be a trusted, comprehensive news site that holds government officials accountable for their actions and teaches people about the widespread impact of politics.”
WisconsinReporter.com‘s staff includes investigative reporter Kirsten Adshead, statehouse news reporter Kevin Lee, and journalism fellows Laurel Patrick and Jackie Clews.
Kirsten Adshead, investigative reporter, recently returned to Wisconsin after 10 years living and working around the United States and England, Kirsten is happy to be back home in Wisconsin. A native of Clintonville, she graduated from the University of Wisconsiin-Eau Claire with a degree in journalism in 1999 and later earned her master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Kevin Lee, statehouse reporter, recently was awarded a national first place for in-depth online reporting by Capitolbeat, the national association of statehouse reporters. He holds a masters degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois and bachelors degree in sociology from the University of California. He covered the 2009 Illinois legislative session for a chain of mid-size Illinois newspapers and joined the Franklin Center’s Illinois Statehouse News later that year where he conducted a major investigation of the corrupt legislative scholarship program. He covered the 2010 legislative session for Illinois Statehouse News, which serves nearly 50 daily newspapers, 14 television stations and more than 100 radio stations. He is proficient in reporting in audio, video and text formats.
WisconsinReporter.com operates under a “steal our stuff” model. They supply robust, far reaching coverage of the state house and government news, and encourage broadcasters, media organizations and citizen journalists to utilize their content. Wisconsin Reporter will share its reports in audio, video and text formats through the internet, new media and traditional mediums such as newspapers and radio.
WisconsinReporter.com is an initiative of the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. Founded in January of 2009, The Franklin Center is a nonpartisan organization that believes that new technology can advance the cause of transparency in government. The Franklin Center aims to educate, to advise and to train individuals and organizations from all backgrounds to become thorough, unbiased and responsible reporters well versed in new media techniques and journalistic integrity. For more information on the Franklin Center please visit www.FranklinCenterHQ.org.
For more information, please visit FranklinCenterHQ.org
