Local government decisions directly shape public transit, housing affordability, school budgets, and property taxes — yet city halls and county boards are increasingly underreported. This session helps journalists with the tools, investigative techniques, and legal knowledge required to cover local boards, analyze decisions, and hold officials accountable.
Speaker:
Sarah Leach is the executive editor of the Ottawa News Network based in West Michigan. A 2002 graduate of Central Michigan University (journalism) and a 2013 graduate of Baker College (graphic design), she has more than 20 years of experience as a reporter, copy editor, designer, and editor. She was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2024 for her work covering local government, which drew national attention.