Complete Story
08/28/2018
Daily Jeffersonian mentioned in the U.S. Senate as an example of the importance of local journalism
It’s not often that a local reporter becomes a factor in a dialogue on the United States’ Senate floor, but Austin Erickson of The Daily Jeffersonian staff became a "player on the stage" for Sen. Sherrod Brown in a discussion about the importance of local journalism.
"It’s like a letter from the president, but a little less cool," said Erickson.
"My day typically doesn’t start with an email from a U.S. Senator," Erickson said. "I generally come into the office, say my hello’s, and sift through my notes. Then I pick which stories to focus on, and get to work. There’s almost never any exchanges with D.C. politicians.
"But last Tuesday, Senator Sherrod Brown’s office sent me a link to his speech on the Senate Floor. I was as surprised as anyone when he mentioned my name in regards to an article I wrote on the Caldwell Fire Festival."
A selection of the speech given by Senator Brown reads as follows—
"Last week, The Daily Jeffersonian ran a story on the upcoming Fireman’s Festival, in Caldwell, Ohio, reported by local reporter Austin Erickson. It’s the local fire department’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and they rely on the proceeds to fund daily maintenance, testing, and safety gear.
"Mr. Erickson talked to the festival’s chairman, who pointed to the fire department and told the reporter, ‘If it’s in those four walls, it’s from the festival.’
"Through its work, The Daily Jeffersonian and local reporters like Mr. Erickson are informing their community about ways to support the local first responders who keep them safe."
