@nghertel

Journalist. Founder @mntheoptimist. Fellow @ifoundmn & @InnovationRJI. Former @GoogleNewsInit boot camper & @mit_esi journalism fellow. Super fan @soljourno.

 St Cloud, MN
join.theoptimist.mn/
Joined September 2009
  • Tweets5.7K
  • Following2K
  • Followers1.3K
688Media
Hi Friends! I'm so excited to share a preview of The Optimist, a media org focused on solutions, media lit and community journalism in greater Minnesota. Follow our progress here! join.theoptimist.mn
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👋If you're in Minneapolis for this event on local news in Minnesota, please make sure to say hello to @nghertel of @MnTheoptimist. She'll be on a panel about partnerships in Greater Minnesota. cc @Report4America donate.thegroundtruthproject…
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🚨Stop what you're doing, and read this inspiring and vulnerable piece from TNC member @nghertel of @MnTheoptimist about what it's like to be a news entrepreneur. Thanks to @RJI for providing a platform for Nora to share her story. rjionline.org/news/local-jou…

Local journalism is hard work. Help us carry the load

Through my first decade in the field, Nora Hertel could see that local audiences did not feel well served as the media grew more polarized, nationalized and negative. So, she left in 2021 and...

rjionline.org
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I've tracked #COVID19 stats in Minnesota since March 2020, first at MPR, and then as an open-source project. It doesn't take much effort any more — I basically click a button once a week & let my code run. But it's time: I'll be sunsetting maintenance of this project on Dec. 31.
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Nora G. Hertel retweeted
RJI@RJI25 May 2023
.@nghertel: When professional opportunities arise, I have learned to ask myself: — Do I have time? — Will it help @MnTheoptimist develop revenue streams or audience or advance our mission? rjionline.org/news/the-highs…

The highs and lows of launching multiple products in a news startup

Project Optimist launched with a single product and now works on multiple fronts.

rjionline.org
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Hey @Meta-Can I get some real help? I have been locked out of my personal and professional FB pages for weeks. My primary cell phone stopped working and all other modes of 2-factor authentication have failed to grant access. I will stop paying for boosted posts if I can't get in!
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Hi friends! At Project Optimist we're collecting insights from news consumers between 59-77 years young, and our researchers would love to hear from you. Please take a moment for this survey and feel free to share! missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/f…
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"Learning to set boundaries while I launch a news organization — amid a pandemic — is as important as learning to market and fundraise" - @nghertel Founder of @MnTheoptimist rjionline.org/news/how-being…

How being a solopreneur has forced me to reckon with my limitations

Learning to set boundaries while I launch a news organization — amid a pandemic — is as important as learning to market and fundraise.

rjionline.org
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This is in line with your vexillological interests, yes @robertmentzer ? startribune.com/minnesota-le…

Lawmakers aim to redesign 'outdated' Minnesota flag

The state's flag offends many and violates modern design principles.

startribune.com
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Congratulations to our 2021 Journalism Fellow Nora Hertel @nghertel for her first place award in @MN_Newspapers's Better Newspaper Contest! Her winning "solutions in the soil" series, which she developed for her Fellowship, documented #NaturalClimateSolutions in Minnesota.
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Congrats to the new @mit_esi fellows!!! This program was huge for my career! Excited to see the work that comes out of the program this year! environmentalsolutions.mit.e…
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the last reporter at the st cloud times is leaving in february -- meaning a metro area of around 200,000 people has a shell of a newspaper. @CathyWurzer talked with @nghertel about what that means for the region. mprnews.org/episode/2023/01/…

The future of journalism in St. Cloud post-Times

The last reporter at the St. Cloud Times is leaving in February.

mprnews.org
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Just got in an argument with my 3yo about whether bats are just Halloween creatures or real animals that live in Minnesota. 3yo: I'm right. You're wrong. Me: That's not a very nice thing to say. 3yo: You're wrong. I'm right.
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Interesting insights from @heidiroop here about the election and where a lot of voters stand on global warming. mprnews.org/episode/2022/11/…

Climate change concerns fueling many Minnesota voters this year

It may not be apparent from recent polling but climate change is a big concern for many Minnesota voters ahead of next week’s election.

mprnews.org
Nora G. Hertel retweeted
Paul Graham
@paulg20 Oct 2022
According to a new study by David Rozado, there has been a big increase in news headlines suggesting fear, anger, disgust, and sadness since 2000, and especially since about 2010. Journalists are pushing your buttons.
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Civility had been on a lot of ppl's minds lately, mine included. Lots of potential solutions and helpers out there too! Improving civility in America begins with better behavior by leaders, panelists say - South Dakota News Watch sdnewswatch.org/stories/impr…

Improving civility in America begins with better behavior by leaders, panelists say - South Dakota...

Holding elected leaders accountable for boorish or coarse behavior is one strategy to help restore civility to American politics, according to a panel of South Dakota experts in public discourse. In...

sdnewswatch.org
There are 4 steps in 2 suicide intervention models -- VA SAVE and safeTALK - check 'em out! Identify signs the person is in crisis & ask directly if they're thinking about suicide. Then listen & validate feelings. Help the person get help & expedite treatment. Call 988 for help!
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Thank you all for responding quick to help our Spanish speaking community!
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Happy fall friends! We love this apple guide from @GrownInMN and @MNagriculture
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Nora G. Hertel retweeted
Austin Vida@AustinVida27 Sep 2022
Do you want to support local journalism that amplifies, informs, and celebrates Austin's Latinidad? Become an Austin Vida member before our fall fundraiser ends Wednesday! You can also support with a one-time, tax-deductible donation of any amount. austinvida.com/donate?utm_me…
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We've got a comic to show the steps in a suicide intervention by illustrating artist @NikkiWolg. This is the culmination of a month-long project on veteran suicide prevention that aligns with #SuicidePrevention Awareness Month. Here's the video version. Please share!!
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