States Newsroom launches Kentucky nonprofit news outlet

States Newsroom has launched The Kentucky Lantern, an independent, nonprofit news service, which will bring “Kentuckians a new source of nonpartisan information about policy and politics.”

Jamie Lucke, who was recently editorial page editor of McClatchy-owned newspaper the Lexington Herald-Leader, will serve as editor in chief of the new outlet. Lucke brings more than 40 years of experience to the newsroom.

Lucke will helm three full-time reporters, who will work from an office within walking distance of the Capitol. They include:

“McKenna Horsley, most recently a reporter at The Herald-Dispatch in Huntington, W.Va., where she covered local government. Before that she reported on education and government for The State Journal in Frankfort. Press associations in both states have honored her work.

“Sarah Ladd, previously a reporter at the Courier Journal in Louisville, where she reported on racial justice protests, the COVID-19 pandemic and the abortion debate. Her journalism has won many awards, and she was part of a CJ team that was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize.

“Liam Niemeyer, who got to know Western Kentucky during his almost four years reporting for WKMS Public Radio in Murray. His storytelling earned two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and two first place awards from the Kentucky Broadcasters Association.”

The Lantern will also publish “news stories, commentary, and photographs by Kentucky-based freelancers and by States Newsroom journalists in other states, as well as reporting by States Newsroom’s Washington bureau.” You can also sign up for its morning newsletter here.