Fink Fellows strengthen local democracy with city council coverage

The Cox Institute’s Fink Fellows enhance their writing, visual storytelling and editing skills via partnerships with local journalism outlets across Georgia.

The 10 University of Georgia students have the unique opportunity to step in and provide editorial and cultural coverage, gaining hands-on reporting experience and clips as media staffs have shrunk.

Keep reading to learn more about the three Fink Fellows covering county government meetings during the 2025-2026 academic year for The Jackson Herald and The Oconee Enterprise.

Margaret Pope, Pendergrass City Council

Margaret Pope, a fourth-year journalism and political science double major, is reporting on the Pendergrass City Council, located about 45 minutes outside of Athens. This is Pope’s second year serving as a Fink Fellow, as she previously covered the Bishop City Council during the 2024-25 academic year.

She has covered the council’s 2026 fiscal year budget, a council member’s ethical concerns about the city clerk and city contractors, the city’s effort to revamp its purchasing policy and the use of debit cards in the general fund. Pope also reported on a shouting match between a police officer and a council member.

“Being a Fink Fellow has really brought me a lot of exposure and experience within covering local city council meetings,” Pope said. “It’s also taught me the importance of keeping local citizens informed on what’s going on within their city and their council.”

Her stories are published in The Jackson Herald.

Betsy Allen, Nicholson City Council

Betsy Allen, a third-year journalism and English double major, is reporting on the Nicholson City Council, located about 25 minutes outside of Athens.

Allen has covered the council’s finances and budget, bid approvals and updates on city projects. She has appreciated the opportunity for personal growth in learning how to cover a county meeting in an accurate and timely manner.

“Fink Fellows has taught me so much about how to write in AP Style,” Allen said. “I’ve loved working under the mentorship of Professor Lori Johnston.”

Her stories are published in The Jackson Herald.

Maia Capuano, Bishop City Council

Maia Capuano, a second-year journalism major, is reporting on the Bishop City Council, located about 15 minutes outside of Athens. Previously this semester, Capuano followed Bogart City Council, writing on its deliberation to add public comment onto its agenda.

She has reported on the disqualification of a formal council member due to a lack of strict city limits in Bishop. Capuano shared how these council meetings have further grown her ability to balance timeliness with attention to detail, ensuring factually correct reporting.

“Through Fink Fellows, I’ve learned about the importance of deadlines and getting your work quickly so the general public can be informed on matters that are important to them,” Capuano said.

Her stories are published in The Oconee Enterprise.

For more about the Fink Fellows program and past year’s reports, visit https://grady.uga.edu/cox-institute-for-journalism-innovation-management-leadership/#journalism-writing-lab

Author: Alexis Derickson