States Newsroom launches Nebraska Examiner

On Tuesday, States Newsroom, the nation’s leading network of state-based nonprofit news outlets, announced the launch of the Nebraska Examiner to provide free, high-quality, non-partisan reporting on the crucial issues affecting the Cornhusker State. With the creation of the organization’s 26th outlet, States Newsroom now provides state news coverage to over half the nation.

Led by Omaha Press Club Hall of Famer Cate Folsom, the Nebraska Examiner will focus on covering state government and politics for Nebraska’s residents.

Folsom brings more than 40 years of experience as a reporter and editor, having spent the bulk of those years at the Omaha World-Herald. Her previous reporting efforts led to the resignations of state officials and reforms in state law.

“We intend to provide a hard-hitting flow of daily news, scoops, and reports that will keep Nebraskans informed and help them to better understand their state and communities,” said Folsom, the Examiner’s Editor-in-Chief. “Our staff of four has worked in Nebraska journalism for a combined 137 years. Our deep experience and strong skills will benefit our readers moving forward.”

Other seasoned journalists joining the Nebraska Examiner’s staff, include:

• Paul Hammel, senior reporter, who has decades of experience covering the Nebraska Legislature and Nebraska state government. A Ralson, Nebraska, native who began his journalism career as editor of the Papillion Times in 1982, Hammel joined the Omaha World-Herald in 1990 and worked himself up from legislative reporter to Lincoln bureau chief.
• Cindy Gonzalez, senior reporter, brings more than 35 years of experience to the Nebraska Examiner. Her coverage areas have included business and real estate development; regional reporting; immigration; and City Hall and local politics. She also currently chairs the board that oversees the local university’s student newspaper.
• Aaron Sanderford, political reporter, joins the staff having tackled various news roles in his 20-plus year career at the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal-Star. From 2005 to 2007, he served as communications director for then-Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman. A North Carolina native, Sanderford most recently was the lead investigative reporter for KMTV 3 in Omaha, focusing on holding public officials accountable.

“We’re happy to add another highly experienced team to our network,” said Chris Fitzsimon, director and publisher of States Newsroom. “The Nebraska Examiner will provide unbiased and thorough coverage on the state’s government and the issues that matter most to Nebraskans.”

The launch of the Nebraska Examiner comes shortly after States Newsroom announced major plans to expand its footprint to have independent newsrooms in roughly 40 states. Last month, States Newsroom launched News from the States, a comprehensive source for statehouse news across the country. States Newsroom is set to continue to expand across the country this year.

State Newsroom, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is funded exclusively by the generous contributions of readers and philanthropists. States Newsroom is committed to supporting fact-based, non-partisan news to the public at no cost and ad-free.

Other States Newsroom affiliates and partners are:

Arizona Mirror – https://www.azmirror.com/
Colorado Newsline – https://coloradonewsline.com/
Florida Phoenix – https://www.floridaphoenix.com/
Georgia Recorder – https://georgiarecorder.com/
Idaho Capital Sun – https://idahocapitalsun.com/
Iowa Capital Dispatch – https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/
Kansas Reflector – https://kansasreflector.com/
Louisiana Illuminator – https://lailluminator.com/
Maine Beacon – http://mainebeacon.com/
Maryland Matters – https://www.marylandmatters.org/
Michigan Advance – https://www.michiganadvance.com/
Minnesota Reformer – https://minnesotareformer.com/
Missouri Independent – https://missouriindependent.com/
Daily Montanan – https://dailymontanan.com/
Nevada Current – https://www.nevadacurrent.com/
New Hampshire Bulletin – https://newhampshirebulletin.com/
New Jersey Monitor – https://newjerseymonitor.com/
Source New Mexico – https://sourcenm.com/
NC Policy Watch – http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/
Ohio Capital Journal – https://www.ohiocapitaljournal.com/
Oregon Capital Chronicle – https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/
Pennsylvania Capital-Star – https://www.penncapital-star.com/
Tennessee Lookout – https://www.tennesseelookout.com/
Virginia Mercury – https://www.virginiamercury.com/
Wisconsin Examiner – https://wisconsinexaminer.com/