Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism

Exciting news in Madison and the state of Wisconsin today as Andy Hall, a journalist at the Wisconsin State Journal, announced the formation of the nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.

The center "will examine government integrity and quality of life issues in the state." Hall, the center's executive director and for now its only employee, said "Mainstream journalism is in economic trouble, but the needs of our democracy are greater than ever."

Hall, who has been with the State Journal for 18 years, will leave the paper this Friday.

The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism is partnering "with Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Television and the UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication to provide free content about government ethics, neighborhood safety, water quality and other issues to news media in the state," Hall said.

Hall's goals for the center include the eventual employment of "five journalists, including one based in Washington, D.C."

On a personal note, I had the pleasure of working with Andy at the Wisconsin State Journal and The Capital Times. He's a top notch investigative journalist who always appreciated the value of having librarians in the newsroom. I wish there were more like him and I wish him all the best in his new venture.