Oct. 12, 2020 —  Northern Kentucky University students are partnering with local news outlet Northern Kentucky Tribune to produce detailed coverage for the upcoming election. 

The Northerner, NKU’s independent student-run news organization, is collaborating with Northern Kentucky Tribune on a special online section on regional and state races in the Nov. 3 election. Students have contacted about 130 candidates in the contested city council races in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. The Tribune staff is covering state and congressional candidates.

Northerner Editor-in-Chief Natalie Hamren and Managing Editor Josh Kelly are leading the reporting for the project, which will be published at NKyTribune.com.

“Local journalism is vital, and I’m thrilled I get to contribute to informing Northern Kentuckians of the issues that matter to them,” Hamren said. “This upcoming election, it’s essential that everyone votes, so I’m hoping our collaboration helps encourage that.”

Michele Day, co-director of NKU’s journalism program and student media advisor, sees the joint project as a valuable education experience. “While The Northerner provides real-world learning opportunities for students reporting on the campus community, this project introduces new audiences and new skills,” said Day. “The students are experimenting with different approaches and different ways of thinking to make sure they produce the most relevant and useful information for these new readers in a different kind of publication. Every decision and choice they make will lead to rich learning possibilities.”

The Northern Kentucky Tribune launched in 2015 by founders Judy Clabes and the late Gene Clabes and Michael Farrell, as a nonprofit public service publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism. With its mission to serve northern Kentucky, partnering with The Northerner presents a unique opportunity to inform the region. 

“Getting ready to vote is not merely deciding who the president will be,” said Judy Clabes, Northern Kentucky Tribune editor and publisher. “Downballot races go onto impact the livelihood of our neighborhoods day in and day out. This collaborative effort ensures that voters can easily access information on candidates running for office and make educated decisions. In the process, we are happy to offer a terrific learning opportunity to the young journalists of The Northerner.”

The online election guide featuring local government elections has been published on Northern Kentucky Tribune’s website, in advance of the start of Early Voting on Oct. 13. In addition to the Tribune project, The Northerner staff have produced a special print edition of focusing on the NKU community’s involvement in the election and resources for student voters. Visit NKU’s website for more information on its journalism program. The Northerner is available at thenortherner.com.