Meet the Herald-Leader’s newest journalists — covering politics, Lexington & EKY

The Herald-Leader enters the new year with a fresh investment in its journalism to help cover Lexington and greater Kentucky: new reporters dedicated to state politics, Fayette County and rural Appalachia.

Three new journalists have joined the staff in recent months to bolster on-the-ground coverage in key beats: Eastern Kentucky and environmental reporter Austin R. Ramsey, Lexington city hall reporter Adrian Paul Bryant and statehouse reporter Hannah Pinski.

Ramsey will pick up coverage of the state’s Appalachian region following the June retirement of Herald-Leader journalist of 40 years Bill Estep, Bryant will fill the city hall role in concert with reporter Beth Musgrave, who will focus on the actions of the federal government on Kentucky, and Pinski joins the political team’s Capitol bureau ahead of a busy and promising 2026.

“We are thrilled to announce the hiring of these three excellent reporters,” said Alex Valentine, interim executive editor at the Herald-Leader. “Austin, Adrian and Hannah will ensure we continue providing news that is so urgent, thorough and essential that it’s worth the price of a subscription every day. They each bring to the table unique skill sets and expertise that help us better serve you — our readers.”

Eastern Kentucky & environment

As part of the Herald-Leader’s commitment to covering the commonwealth, Ramsey joined the staff in November and is based outside Pikeville. He will sweep Appalachia, covering a wide variety of breaking, political and business news, along with the people of Kentucky’s coal region. Additionally, he will focus on investigative and daily environmental journalism statewide.

“I’m honored to be entrusted with telling the story of Eastern Kentucky and its deep-rooted Appalachian traditions surrounded by the stunning natural beauty and a remarkably strong sense of community,” Ramsey said. “I am committed to reporting on Eastern Kentucky in Eastern Kentucky, because I believe living here is the only way I can fairly and accurately describe the resilience and environmental richness that makes Central Appalachia unique. My family and I have been welcomed with open arms.”

Since getting started in the fall, Ramsey has already delved into high power bills, uncovered the latest details in a delayed high-profile criminal case and poked the financial and community future of a historic theater.

Ramsey joins Kentucky.com from Bloomberg Industry Group, where he covered federal employee benefits and pensions. He has had previous stints in Owensboro, Calhoun and Murray, and considers Kentucky home. He holds a master’s degree in investigative journalism from American University.

Ramsey will work as part of the statewide team under central service editor Jackie Starkey.

Lexington city hall

Most recently an information specialist with CivicLex, Bryant joined the Herald-Leader in late November to cover city hall. Well-connected with the issues and players, he will cover Lexington’s government and its wide reach across Fayette County and beyond.

“I am truly honored to join a team of reporters whose work I have long read and admired,” Bryant said. “I’ve spent several years diving deep into how Lexington’s government work, what issues affect residents on a day-to-day basis and giving locals the tools they need to be civically engaged. Bringing my knowledge to the Herald-Leader will be a lot of fun for me, and I hope to make the city hall beat one that readers are always excited to follow.”

Prior to holding several roles at CivicLex, Bryant earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Eastern Kentucky University.

Bryant has already jumped into covering Fayette County government, poking questions on the city’s contract to forgive medical debt, the flood of development downtown and controversy over a new Lexington park.

“On top of keeping readers apprised of the daily working of city hall and local elections, my hope is to tell community-focused stories through which Lexingtonians see themselves and the city they know — its bright spots and achievement, as well as its disappointments and failures — reflected accurately, honestly and compassionately.”

He will report as part of the metro team under Starkey.

“The addition of Austin and Adrian to our staff underscores the Herald-Leader’s desire to deliver quality, dogged journalism for Central and Eastern Kentucky and the people who live here,” Starkey said. “Both bring a passion to their respective beats that will enhance our coverage of issues that matter most to our readers. An accountability focus on city hall, along with more digging into environmental issues statewide, will resonate across Kentucky. We are glad to have such excellent journalists join our newsroom.”

Kentucky statehouse

The Herald-Leader’s most recent hire, Pinski has joined staff just in ahead of a promising year in politics for the Bluegrass State.

“I’m excited to join the Herald-Leader during an exciting time in Kentucky politics. As I’ve covered the state’s political scene for two years, I have admired the paper’s dedication to its robust political coverage, and I am eager to contribute to the team.”

Pinski comes to the Herald-Leader from the Louisville Courier-Journal, where she also covered state politics.

Her work for the Herald-Leader will include daily coverage of the legislative session and key players Kentucky politics, including a potential presidential run from Gov. Andy Beshear.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Iowa.

Pinski will report as part of the Bluegrass Politics team under politics and public affairs editor Tessa Duvall.

“With two legislative sessions under her belt, Hannah knows her way around Frankfort, the key players at the Capitol and what’s going on in Kentucky politics,” Duvall said. “The Herald-Leader already does the best political and government accountability journalism in the commonwealth. Adding Hannah to our team makes us even stronger.”

The other Bluegrass Politics team members covering the 2026 General Assembly are John Cheves, Piper Hansen, Austin Horn and Alex Acquisto.