Esther Frances Joins The News & Observer as Legislative Reporter

0:00This is Cory, and here's what is making news across Durham right now. The news and observer just hired Esther Francis as his new legislative and lobbying reporter. She will guide readers through the world of lawmaking, advocacy, and influence at the North Carolina General Assembly and state government. Esther will track the money trails, political strategies, and key issues like public safety and criminal justice that shape decisions by state. Before this, she covered education at the Frederick News Post in Maryland, starting last July. Her work there included K through 12 schools, higher education, and even elections in what are supposed to be nonpartisan races. She joins a strong politics team of six reporters, including Don Baumgartner von, Luciana Perez-Aribe Ganassi, Kyle Ingram, Danielle Batalia, and Jane Winick-Sartwell. The group is led by politics editor Jordan Schrader, who has covered state governments for 19 years. Readers can reach Esther with tips or questions at ester.frances at newsobserver.com.

1:02This higher strengthens the paper's long tradition of in-depth coverage on North Carolina politics. This DNN story comes to you thanks to our sponsor. It is a pillow that plays your podcast in music without earbuds. Built for listening in bed, S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com.