Meet the Herald-Leader’s new business and economic development reporter
The Herald-Leader has a new reporter covering business and economic development in Lexington and Central Kentucky.
Piper Hansen joins the Herald-Leader from Louisville Business First, where she covered residential real estate, economic development in Southern Indiana and professional services including finance.
Hansen is a Louisville native and graduate of duPont Manual High School. She graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
“The Herald-Leader has always been an impressive news outlet,” Hansen said.
“The people who report, write and edit here care about the impact their work has on the community and work tirelessly to find answers to the most pressing questions. It’s an exciting time to be a reporter right now, and I’m looking forward to continuing to do this job surrounded by like-minded people.”
While in college, Hansen was the digital editor-in-chief of the Arizona State Press, the student newspaper at ASU, and covered the state legislature for several news outlets, including the Arizona Republic, the Arizona Capitol Times and Arizona PBS.
“My favorite thing about covering business and economic development is exploring the ways it intersects with other things the Herald-Leader is already great at doing, including watchdog public service projects and coverage of education, local politics, sports and more,” Hansen said.
Hansen’s arrival comes at a time when the economy of Lexington and the rest of Kentucky is undergoing significant change, said Richard Green, the Herald-Leader’s executive editor.
“A great community news organization must cover the economic forces that are play, be that around the state or in Lexington’s neighborhoods,” he said. “We’ve been inconsistent in our coverage of the local business scene beyond bourbon, and Piper will play a key role in filling that gap with thoughtful, analytical stories. It’s a continuation of our goal to be the best newsroom of our size in the country.”
Green added: “Piper is a fireball of energy and ideas, and she’ll devote close attention to the economic topics that affect so many of us: Companies relocating to the commonwealth, the changes confronting local consumers, our uncertain real estate market and small businesses, which are the backbone of Central Kentucky’s economy.
“Kentucky’s economy is changing and facing new challenges. Piper will track those trends and offer unparalleled local coverage of them. I’m excited to see her shine in this new role.”
When she’s not reporting, Hansen enjoys running, swimming and hiking. She can be reached at phansen@herald-leader.com, 502-648-6715 and @piperjhansen on X.