Boise State Public Radio announces today it will be working with Report for America to place a reporter in the radio network's eastern region. This new reporter is Rachel Cohen and she will be based in South-Central Idaho, helping to expand Boise State Public Radio's editorial coverage area, as part of a group of service-minded journalists spanning the country.
Report for America recruits and trains young journalists and deploys them into news organizations across the country, helping to bolster reporting in often overlook regions. The organization added a special focus this year on news establishments in the intermountain West.
"We have a significant investment in this broadcast area," said Tom Michael, general manager of Boise State Public Radio. "We have a half-dozen radio transmission sites across the Magic Valley and Wood River Valley. We are deepening our committment to our audience in both Twin Falls and Ketchum. This is great time to be adding a news bureau."
With the creation of this new position, Boise State Public Radio will welcome Rachel Cohen to the news team in June to report from the Magic Valley and the Wood River Valley.
Cohen, who graduated with honors from Middlebury College, held internships at NPR in Washington D.C and at New Hampshire Public Radio.
"I am very much looking forward to joining Boise State Public Radio as a reporter in Twin Falls," said Cohen. "Report for America aims to strengthen local reporting, and to fufill that mission, I will strive to immerse myself in these communities. I am excited to get to know my colleagues and the people of the state of Idaho."
Cohen is one of 61 reporters, referred to as "corps members," chosen to be placed in 50 news organizations across 28 states and Puerto Rico.
Corps members will attend Report for America's intensive training in Houston, Texas in June, followed by a conference held by the Investigative Reporters & Editors. Then, they will join their newsrooms to begin their service.
Boise State Public Radio will also be working along with the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, where Cohen will be based and participate in a service project for improving student media.
Funding support for this news expansion comes in part from Report For America, which has backing from the LOR Foundation, Solutions Jouranlism Network and other sponsors. There is also key support from individual donors, with a lead gift by Paul and Laurie Ahern.
Additional information:
Improving our coverage of the Magic Valley and Wood River Valley is critical in our effort to expand daily news coverage and our commitment to statewide affairs. We need your help.
Between now and June 17, Boise State Public Radio Community Advisory Board Chair, Laurie Ahern, and her husband, Paul Ahern, will match every donation up to $30,000. All gifts up to $30,000 will be doubled.
Please consider making a contribution to Rachel Reports for America and get to know Rachel a little better by visiting RachelReportsforAmerica.org.
