Meet ProPublicas 2025 Class of Emerging Reporters
3 minute readPublished: Friday, October 24, 2025 at 9:00 am
ProPublica Announces 2025-2026 Emerging Reporters Program Class
ProPublica, a non-profit news organization dedicated to investigative journalism, has announced the selection of its 2025-2026 class for the Emerging Reporters Program. This program provides financial and mentorship support to college students pursuing careers in investigative journalism. The selected students will receive a $9,000 stipend, a trip to the annual NICAR investigative journalism conference, and training sessions. They will also be paired with ProPublica journalists for one-on-one guidance.
The program aims to cultivate the next generation of journalists committed to uncovering abuses of power and producing impactful stories. The selection process prioritizes students who demonstrate a strong commitment to journalism through internships, work at local news outlets, or involvement in campus publications.
The 2025-2026 class comprises students from universities in California, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Georgia. The students have experience in various areas, including campus news, local reporting, and investigative projects. They have worked with publications such as The Student Life, The Daily Collegian, and The Emory Wheel. Some have interned at media outlets like Honolulu Magazine, WUSF-FM, and CNN International. Their interests span a range of topics, including political activism, criminal justice, climate change, data journalism, and local government.
The selected students are: Annabelle Ink from Pomona College, Gabriel Velasquez Neira and Lee Ann Anderson from the University of Florida, Kahlie Wray from Pennsylvania State University, and Safa Wahidi from Emory University.
BNN's Perspective:
The ProPublica Emerging Reporters Program is a commendable initiative. Investing in the next generation of investigative journalists is crucial for maintaining a free and informed society. The program's focus on providing financial support and mentorship is particularly important, as it helps to level the playing field and ensure that talented individuals from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue careers in journalism.
Keywords: ProPublica, Emerging Reporters Program, investigative journalism, journalism, college students, mentorship, stipend, NICAR, training, Annabelle Ink, Gabriel Velasquez Neira, Kahlie Wray, Lee Ann Anderson, Safa Wahidi, local news, campus publications, abuses of power.