Joan von Kampen named editor-in-chief of Nebraska Examiner

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – States Newsroom on Monday announced the hiring of veteran Nebraska editor Joan von Kampen as editor-in-chief of the Nebraska Examiner, the state’s leading government-focused nonprofit news outlet.

Von Kampen started at the Examiner on Monday.

“We’re fortunate to have Joan, an editor with such deep knowledge of Nebraska government and politics who also is known as a terrific mentor to up and coming journalists,” said Andrea Shaw, chief content officer of States Newsroom. “I know the Examiner staff, under her leadership, will thrive.’’

Von Kampen began her career at the Des Moines Register in Iowa, before returning home to Nebraska where she has worked in newsrooms of all sizes, from her hometown of Scottsbluff to Omaha. Since 2022, von Kampen has been the western Nebraska regional editor for Lee Enterprises, based at the North Platte Telegraph.

The western Nebraska newsrooms von Kampen oversaw during her most recent role won countless awards, including 38 from the Nebraska Press Association in the 2025 Better Newspapers Contest. Under her leadership, the North Platte Telegraph also won the NPA Community Service Award six years in a row.

“Nebraska’s newspapers rely on Examiner stories, as do readers who appreciate no-paywall access to thorough, unbiased reporting on statewide issues,” von Kampen said. “I’m proud to dedicate myself to that mission.”

Von Kampen, who will split her time between Lincoln and North Platte, is the third person to serve as editor of the Examiner. She was preceded by founding editor Cate Folsom, who launched the outlet in January 2022 and retired in December 2024, and Aaron Sanderford, who was editor from December 2024 until June of this year.

The Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, with reporters in all 50 capitals plus Washington, D.C. States Newsroom’s headquarters are in Chapel Hill, N.C., and Washington, D.C.