Legislative Exchange Experience
Reporter - Ashlyn O’Hara
The Peninsula Clarion
2024 Legislative Session
From mid-February to mid-March this year, I was extremely fortunate to participate in the Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism's Legislative Reporter Exchange.
As a participant of this program, I traveled to Juneau and wrote articles about the Kenai Peninsula's legislative delegation for my home newspaper, the Peninsula Clarion, and for our sister publication, the Juneau Empire. This work included writing more than two dozen stories ranging from quick-turn articles, in-depth features and longer stories about issues affecting the Kenai Peninsula.
Working in the Capitol gave me virtually unfettered access to lawmakers I sometimes have trouble reaching remotely, allowed me to see up close the behind-the-scenes work that goes into crafting policy in Alaska and gave me a new perspective on how decisions in Juneau affect the lives of peninsula residents.
I was extremely fortunate and humbled to work alongside some of Alaska's top political reporters and under the guidance of longtime Alaska journalism titan Larry Persily, whose clear and instructive editing style was informed by the breadth of expertise he has from decades of living and working in Alaska. His familiarity with how the Capitol works and his willingness to share that familiarity was crucial to my success in this program.
Without ACEJ's program, which included covering costs associated with travel to and from Juneau and housing arrangements, I would not have otherwise had such a robust opportunity for personal and professional growth. Since being back in Kenai, I've continued to cover legislative issues with a better understanding and familiarity with how to navigate the Alaska Legislature. This undoubtedly serves our readers across the peninsula.
Thank you very much to ACEJ and Larry, and to Jan Caulfield and Tom Paul for opening their beautiful home to me while I participated in this program.
