Lenora Selected for National Press Foundation’s 2024 Elections Journalism Fellowship
Josie Lenora, politics and government reporter for Little Rock Public Radio, is one of 34 journalists from across the country who was selected for the National Press Foundation’s 2024 Elections Journalism Fellowship.
Lenora is the only journalist from Arkansas selected for the fellowship, which is sponsored by Arnold Ventures, and is looking forward to expanding her reporting skills during the fellowship.
“I try to constantly ask myself how I can ‘maximize’ my skills, how I can be a better reporter,” Lenora said. “So, learning that I was chosen for the fellowship was exciting and a tremendous honor. I am grateful for any opportunity to broaden my skill set. It means the world to me to see my name on a list next to so many amazing government reporters from across the country. I am especially thankful to my news director Daniel Breen for recommending me for the fellowship. The newsroom would not be so successful without his leadership.”
The fellows represent journalists from nonprofit, local, and national newsrooms, including Axios, CNN, NBC News, PBS, USA Today, and Politico. Lenora and her cohort of fellow journalists will meet July 28-30 in Detroit, Michigan, to get an in-depth look at the coverage of elections, rather than horse-race politics.
The fellows will hear from speakers like Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, and Bipartisan Policy Center’s Democracy Program Executive Director Matthew Weil.
At Little Rock Public Radio, Lenora covers topics like the Little Rock City Board of Directors, the Arkansas state legislature, ballot amendments, and the administration of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
“Radio journalism is my calling, my purpose, and a dream come true,” she said. “I am so proud of the work we have done as a group to cover the stories that matter to Central Arkansas. This team is diligent and smart. The four of us take our responsibility to the public seriously.”
As the nation prepares for the upcoming pivotal election cycle, Lenora understands that the role of reliable and comprehensive media coverage will become increasingly crucial, playing a significant part in her job of informing and educating the community about critical election issues.
“America is heading into an extremely interesting and consequential election cycle,” Lenora said. “Little Rock Public Radio has exciting coverage planned about the elections in Arkansas. I hope our work educates our listeners on issues, candidates, and voting laws they must adhere to. I want to combat any election misinformation that may arise and connect with every voter I can about what matters to them.”
