About

Local journalism for the
communities that need it

FollowNews covers Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio with dedicated reporters who live in and understand the states they cover. In English and Spanish.

4
States covered
22
Cities tracked
10
Journalists
2
Languages

Our Mission

FollowNews is a digital local news publication delivering timely, accurate reporting on the communities that matter most to you. We cover Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio with dedicated journalists who live in and understand the states they cover.

In an era of shrinking newsrooms and growing news deserts, FollowNews was founded to fill the gap. We believe every community deserves quality local journalism — reporting on the city council votes that affect your taxes, the crime trends in your neighborhood, the weather events that disrupt your commute, and the business openings that shape your local economy.

What We Cover

  • Crime & Emergencies — Public safety, law enforcement, court proceedings, emergency response
  • Politics & Government — State legislature, city councils, elections, policy analysis
  • Weather & Environment — Severe weather alerts, forecasts, environmental policy
  • Real Estate & Development — Housing market, construction, zoning, urban development
  • Business & Economy — Local economy, job market, business openings and closings
  • Community & Events — Local events, education, nonprofits, cultural happenings

Our Team

FollowNews employs experienced journalists with deep roots in the communities they cover. Our reporters bring decades of combined experience from respected outlets including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Raleigh News & Observer, The Tennessean, The Columbus Dispatch, Charlotte Business Journal, Memphis Commercial Appeal, and many others.

Our bilingual reporters deliver news in Spanish, serving the growing Hispanic communities across all four states.

Our Standards

Every story published on FollowNews adheres to our Editorial Policy. We are committed to:

  • Accuracy — Every claim is sourced and verified. We cite official records, press releases, and named sources.
  • Transparency — We clearly attribute all information and link to original sources.
  • Independence — Our editorial decisions are independent of advertisers, sponsors, and political interests.
  • Fairness — We present multiple perspectives and give subjects the opportunity to respond.
  • Accountability — We promptly correct errors and note corrections transparently.

Bilingual Coverage

FollowNews publishes in both English and Spanish. Our Spanish-language coverage at follownews.com/es/ is culturally adapted for US Hispanic communities by bilingual journalists who understand the nuances of reporting for diverse Spanish-speaking audiences.

Contact Us

  • News tips: tips@follownews.com
  • Corrections: corrections@follownews.com
  • General inquiries: contact@follownews.com

FollowNews is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with contributors across all four states we cover.

Our Team

Meet the reporters

Experienced journalists from respected outlets, with decades of combined reporting experience.

Marcus Thompson
Marcus Thompson
Georgia Politics

12 years at Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Peabody Award nominee.

Denise Calloway
Denise Calloway
Georgia Crime & Courts

8 years at WSB-TV. Two Georgia AP Awards.

Rafael Mendoza
Rafael Mendoza
Georgia Community (EN/ES)

Emory University. Former Mundo Hispanico, Telemundo Atlanta.

Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen
NC Politics & Education

Duke MA Journalism. Decade at Raleigh News & Observer.

James Whitfield
James Whitfield
NC Business & Real Estate

UNC Chapel Hill. Former Charlotte Business Journal editor.

Adriana Vasquez
Adriana Vasquez
NC Community (EN/ES)

NC State. Former La Noticia, Univision Raleigh.

Michael Reeves
Michael Reeves
Tennessee Politics

Vanderbilt. 15 years TN journalism. Past TN Press Assoc president.

Tamika Washington
Tamika Washington
Tennessee Crime & Community

University of Memphis. 9 years at Commercial Appeal.

David Kowalski
David Kowalski
Ohio Politics

Ohio State. 11 years at Columbus Dispatch. Two OH AP Awards.

Elena Rodriguez
Elena Rodriguez
Ohio Business (EN/ES)

Xavier University. Former Cincinnati Enquirer. PBS NewsHour featured.

Coverage

Where we report

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