Introducing Tessa Duvall & Aaron Mudd

We want you, our readers, to know who it is that’s bringing you the news you’re reading here at the Lexington Herald-Leader. You’ve likely seen the names that accompany a story, but that’s still a bit impersonal.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll introduce you to the reporters, editors, producers and other staffers who work here at the Herald-Leader — the folks who work hard to bring you the news you’ve come to rely on and trust over the years.

To kick off this ongoing series, here is our first batch of reporters we’re happy to introduce.

Tessa Duvall

Hey, y’all! I’m Tessa Duvall, the Herald-Leader’s Frankfort Bureau Chief. As a kid, I remember visiting the Capitol for my 4th grade Kentucky history class; now, it’s my office.

My first year in this role has been a whirlwind — a special legislative session, a U.S. Senate race, a regular legislative session, a 12-way Republican primary and now the most hotly contested governor’s race in the nation — but it’s never been lost of me that I’m a Kentucky girl who gets to cover her beloved commonwealth.

Our Bluegrass Politics team has done incredible work this year, offering up fact-checks and accountability reporting on Kentucky’s elected leaders, and keeping a close eye on the gubernatorial contest between Gov. Andy Beshear and Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

There will be plenty of national reporters who write about that election as we head toward Nov. 7. But personally, I couldn’t be more proud to be on this team of local journalists as we provide our readers with the most comprehensive and timely news and analysis they need before casting their vote.

Feel free to reach and say hi at tduvall@herald-leader.com.

Read some of Tessa’s latest work:

• Five key moments in the first Kentucky governor’s debate between Andy Beshear and Daniel Cameron

• Abortion at forefront of KY governor’s race as Beshear again hits Cameron on exemptions

• Kentucky mistakenly sent thousands in donated money to people unaffected by 2021 tornadoes

Aaron Mudd

It’s only been a year and some change since I signed on to cover service journalism for the Herald-Leader and McClatchy. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to dive into topics I never imagined exploring.

As a service journalist, my job is to enhance your everyday life. I help you understand the news and how it affects you. That could range from unpacking Kentucky’s new medical marijuana law, explaining a years-long unsolved murder case or just helping you figure out your mysterious bug bites.

Looking back on this year, some of the stories I’m most proud of involved a deep dive into climate change and its impact on Kentucky, plus a look at how drag queens are responding to anti-LGBTQ legislation.

As a member of McClatchy’s Service Journalism team, whose members represent newsrooms across the country, I can tell you we want to hear your questions and get you answers.

Your feedback fuels us, and we’re open to your inquiries whether they’re silly or serious, large or small. You can learn more about our work at Know Your Kentucky, where you can also submit questions to us. You can also email us at ask@herald-leader.com.

Read some of Aaron’s latest work:

• Where do KY’s copperheads, other snakes go in the winter? You’ll want to clean your yard

• Who qualifies for a medical marijuana card under Kentucky’s new law? What we know

• Is it illegal to pass a horse and buggy while driving in Kentucky? What state law says

Thank you for being a reader, and hopefully a subscriber as well, although if you’re not the former we do encourage you to remedy that. We’ll see you back here next week with more smiling faces to introduce.

Click here to subscribe to the Herald-Leader’s assortment of newsletters. Follow the Herald-Leader on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Download our mobile app too.

Check out today’s eEdition, and support local journalists with a subscription.

This story was originally published October 20, 2023 at 11:16 AM.