89.3 WFPL News has made two new hires in its newsroom.
Jonese Franklin will join the newsroom as Digital Editor, where she will oversee WFPL’s digital news and social media operations. Franklin, a Versailles native, will also appear on air. She comes to WFPL from WEKU in Richmond, Ky., where she is currently news content manager. Franklin has also worked at WUKY in Lexington and WMKY in Morehead, Ky.
“Louisville Public Media is highly respected throughout the community, and for good reason,” she said. “LPM is not only a leader in public radio journalism, they are also undeniably committed to telling stories across all platforms and growing their digital presence. I’m absolutely ecstatic to be joining the team.”
WFPL has also hired Roxanne L. Scott as Economy Reporter, a new area of focus for the newsroom. As a freelance reporter, Scott has covered everything from art in the South Bronx to poaching in Africa. In 2015 she was an International Women’s Media Foundation fellow, where she reported on democracy and governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her stories have been published in mainstream outlets such as NPR, BBC and Public Radio International, as well as on sites such as Okayafrica, Voices of NY and Africa Times. In her past life, Scott worked in social work and education. She’s from Queens, New York, and is a graduate of the CUNY School of Journalism.
“I’m excited to cover labor, business and other issues that concern people and their money in Kentucky and beyond,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to work in a newsroom, and coming to WFPL News allows me to collaborate with other reporters and their beats to tell the best possible stories.”
Louisville Public Media Executive Editor Stephen George said the additions would help build on WFPL’s momentum as it expands its coverage of the community.
“Jonese brings a set of skills and experience that will help us continue to grow our digital presence, be innovative and find new ways to serve our listeners and readers,” he said. “Roxanne is an outstanding storyteller who will provide humanity and richness to subjects that can often lead to dry reporting. I’m thrilled to welcome both of them to our newsroom.”
Franklin starts April 18, and Scott starts May 2.
