Faces Profile : Natalie Neumann

By Kayla Matzke

Senior Natalie Neumann will soon be spending 90 days in Helena covering the state legislature session for J-School credit.

A broadcast major, Neumann is participating in the Legislative News Service – a program presented by the Montana Broadcasters Association – along with fellow student Holly Baker. Neumann said she heard about the opportunity from her advisor Ray Ekness, chair of the radio-television department. Broadcast students from the J-School have participated in the program in previous years, Neumann said.

Starting January 5, each workday Neumann will attend the legislative sessions and produce a one-minute top story of the day. She will also report on a larger in-depth story with sound bites and put out a preview for the next day. Neumann said that her stories will be broadcasted throughout Montana.

“They will be aired at a variety of local and small-town stations,” she said.

On December 12, Neumann will take part in a media workshop to become acquainted with the capital and her workspace.

Along with her broadcast journalism major, Neumann is also majoring in political science. Neumann said she chose to study political science to be the best reporter she could be.

“It’s hard to convey to listeners what’s going on, if you don’t know,” she said.

Neumann is currently a co-anchor for KUFM, which she said has become an “invaluable experience.” Through her position at the station Neumann has had the opportunity to interview both Montana senators.

Her time in Helena reporting on Montana’s politics will help her become a better journalist, Neumann said.

“Politics bleeds into every story, I think.”