About Us

Jessica Walsh is an assistant professor of journalism in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she teaches reporting, writing and editing and researches local and rural journalism. Jessica's research has been published in journals including Newspaper Research Journal, Journalism Practice and Mass Communication and Society, Digital Journalism and Educational Psychology Review. Her journalism work has appeared in publications including the Boston Herald, The Patriot Ledger, The Associated Press and the Omaha World-Herald. Jessica grew up in rural South Dakota and in the southwestern Nebraska town of McCook. 

Daniel Wheaton is the data reporter for the Midwest Newsroom, a collaboration of public radio stations in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. Prior to joining Nebraska Public Media, Daniel was a graphics and data reporter at The San Diego Union-Tribune and host of the paper's daily news podcast. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Carleigh McFarlane is a junior journalism, advertising and public Relations, and sports media communications major with a minor in English. She was responsible for gathering information about newspapers across Nebraska through extensive research, digital correspondence and phone calls. She also interviewed publishers, editors and journalists from multiple papers to write about the struggles and successes surrounding talent acquisition and retention for local newspapers. This project exposed Carleigh to the intricacies of small-town print media and its importance to the community it serves.

Sarah Lawlor graduated in May 2024 with a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications. She collected data and reported about the Nebraska journalism landscape while working on the news map. Through her research and storytelling, Sarah has learned the importance of local journalism, especially in rural areas where a strong local paper helps keep communities vibrant. After graduation, she worked as a news intern at Nebraska Public Media and previously interned at the Journal Star.

Alex Kopf graduated in May 2024 with degrees in journalism and sports media and communication. Alex collected and helped organize data about news organizations and newspapers across the state. Alex learned about depth storytelling and news collection throughout this project.

Nandini Rainikindi is a senior broadcasting and advertising and public relations double major. Nandini laid the groundwork for the website and learned how to better build a website for a client. She has a passion for helping people with their marketing and communications needs.

Buoy is a student group within the College of Journalism and Mass Communications that provides advertising, branding and public relations expertise to non-profit organizations and other purpose-driven community partners. Buoy students in fall 2024 created a public relations and social media plan for the Nebraska News Map and worked with partner student group Production House to create content to promote the Nebraska News Map and highlight and humanize the work of Nebraska local journalists. Buoy students are advised by professor Dave Remund.

Production House is a student group within the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Production House students under the guidance of professor Kristian Anderson produce video, photo and digital media content for real-world clients. In the fall of 2024, Production House students interviewed several local journalists as part of a campaign to highlight and humanize the important public service Nebraska journalists provide to their communities. 

Quentin Lueninghoener and Ben Vankat of Hanscom Park Studio created the news map and the scrolling text you see on the site's home page.  They provided valuable input on the usability and design of the map. They both hold journalism degrees and still use their storytelling skills as web designers and creatives to help organizations with their online presence.