Like the journalist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel policy, Hope Karnopp Often trying to help people understand what is going on in government and the elections through social media stories and videos.
But in a history on the history of the first capital of Wisconsin, in Belmont, she explains how the government of the state began – and arrived there.
All of this is part of the work for Karnopp, who joined the Sentinel newspaper at the end of 2023 after having covered politics to Madison as a Sentinel newspaper. The native of Green Bay has graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and, since he joined the editorial hall of Milwaukee, has covered presidential campaigns, national conventions and legislation in the State Capitol.
Here you can know it a little more:
Question: You recently made a story on Belmont, which was the capital of Wisconsin before Madison. What is your favorite detail in this story?
Answer: My favorite detail was by far the staff of the Historical Company receiving calls from people who think they are contacting the Capitol’s first rescue court. Apparently, they keep the right phone number at your fingertips on a post-it note. Sometimes, during an interview, I will hear a perfect quote or anecdote, and it is as if a bulb was taking place in my brain. It was one of them.
It seems that there has been a lot of corruption in the history of the capital’s move. Is there a sliding door scenario where Belmont is still the capital today?
The decision was only summed up a few votes, so it is certainly possible. I was surprised that Mineral Point was not selected, because it was really the growing city at the time. It is incredible that a person, James Doty, is responsible for the appearance of Madison today. It is difficult to imagine it as something else now.
Do you find that your role is ready to document the history of the Wisconsin political landscape, or was it an aberrant value? What is the central mission of the journalist for trendy policy?
It may be the only story focused on the story I made in the Sentinel newspaper, but I find myself looking back in time a little. When I wrote on Wisconsin’s referendum processFor example, I dug the blue book and found fascinating historical details that have shaped the story.
It is a part of my role of trend – analyze what has changed or remained the same throughout Wisconsin policy, as Rules to return the ballots by absent. My work is a new addition to our editorial room and means a lot of different things, including verification of the facts says that become viral online.
Often, I explain what is happening behind our traditional political titles. When I voted during my first election at 18, I did not know who or what would be the ballot. I aim to provide this essential information to readers.
You can write about a lot of funny things about political rhythm, like a AD of campaign with a panda costume or legislators wishing to do Brandy old -fashioned of the state cocktail. Do you find it difficult to put on the needle to find engaging stories while recognizing the size of a role that politics can have on the lives of everyday citizens?
My philosophy behind these fun stories is to explain something serious in politics that readers did not know before. A Panda announcement is required to draw attention, but it also shows how candidates must reach voters differently in the digital age. Or why legislators are concerned about upsetting the beer or cheese hall when they choose a new state symbol.
Even my stories on Specialized license plates Go further. How do citizens interact with bureaucracy via state DMVs? Where does money come from to improve the roads on which we drive every day?
I try to find stories with a large attraction, even non -political drug addicts, and to share the functioning of the government of the state in the process.
What was your way to journalism?
I loved creative writing when I was a child and I filled many notebooks with the first chapters of books that I have never finished. I thought I was a teacher like my mother. I appreciated my social studies courses in high school, where we connected current events to history.
Journalism seemed to be a combination of all these things. I went to college without knowing exactly what it would imply, but I walked to the Daily Cardinal Student Journal News Desk, and the rest was in history.
You come from Green Bay, you went to school in Madison and live now and work in Milwaukee. So which of the three largest cities in the state is really the best? Bonus points for having said something nice about Big Appleton.
Don’t make me choose! I love the pride of Green Bay in our packers. Madison is the collegial city par excellence and the terrace is one of my favorite places, but I love the upgrade of Lake Michigan. The Milwaukee restaurant scene absolutely breathtaking me. People encouraging you to move to Milwaukee are right.
Appleton is underestimated. Great Mall, College Avenue Rocks, Beautiful Riverfront. It’s three things.
Politics right now: complicated! To say the least! Is it stressful? Appalling? What do you say to people who want to know what work looks like?
It was a whirlwind in 2024. I covered conventions and the countless rallies. The electoral seasons are stressful, but I find it important to provide useful information when votes count so much in Wisconsin. This responsibility may seem a lot, but our surprising and united policy team sticks together.
Something I say to people is that politics is – for the most part – civil and cooperative at the level of the state. The representative Todd Novak obtained this point in the first history of the Capitol. I try to highlight examples of biparismWhat I think most of the voters want but who rarely see the headlines.
Name three important things for you that have nothing to do with work.
A cup of freshly brewed and roasted coffee in the morning, framed by independent rock concert posters that I went and visiting Door County with my family.