Press "Enter" to skip to content

The Missouri Times hires Jost as new reporter

Staff Reports

Jefferson City, Mo. — Truman State University junior Ashley Jost was hired as a new reporter for The Missouri Times last week.Ashley

Jost, a communication major, enjoys political journalism and strives to bring accuracy and fairness to the field.

“I think she’s got a lot of potential and look forward to seeing what she brings to the paper,” said Scott Faughn, Publisher of The Missouri Times. “I’ve followed her past work and can see she has talent in reporting, but what’s most important is that she loves it.”

Faughn said he plans to have Jost covering committee meetings and legislative events at the Capitol one day a week this semester, then broadening the commitment during the coming summer.

“She fits in down here,” Faughn said. “She’s not afraid to ask tough questions and she’s excited to get to know the people and the processes down here a little bit better.”

Jost plans to pursue journalism post-graduation next year, and currently works as the News Editor of the Truman Index.

“Politics has always been a strong interest of mine, and then obviously journalism is my ultimate passion,” Jost said. “Any excuse to combine the two sounds like a perfect opportunity.”

Jost grew up in North St. Louis County and attended Hazelwood West High School, where she said she learned to love journalism. She said her first political story she ever wrote was a feature for her high school paper about Clint Zweifel, a Hazelwood West alumnus, shortly after he was elected to his first term.

Rep. Nate Walker, R-3, said he’s been interviewed by Jost many times for the Index and Kirksville Daily Express and has always appreciated her fair and professional approach to reporting and writing.

“She’s very competent,” Walker said. “It’s exciting to see a Truman student excelling, and for her I’m sure this is just one more step into the national [journalism] business.”

“During high school I was still convinced I was going to pursue public office after college,” she said. “Political science was actually my first major — I’ve had about five now — my freshman year.”

Faughn said he and The Missouri Times staff are excited to be able to offer Jost this opportunity and are ready to put her to work, “Ashley will be a key addition to our reporting team. We are still looking add another full time journalist and when we are fully staffed we hope to bring our readers some of most in-depth coverage of state government possible.

Jost’s full biography is available at https://themissouritimes.com/about-us .