Popkey Hire Leaves Journalism Hole

Marc Johnson/The Johnson Post contends that Congressman Raul Labrador underscored his position as Idaho’s most interesting man — and possibly most important politician — by hiring Statesman political reporter Dan Popkey (pictured). In this most-read column, Johnson also explained the blow suffered by Idaho journalism by this hire: “The other thing the Popkey hire illustrates, sadly, is the continuing and steady demise of real political journalism, and not just in Idaho. Dan’s reporting – along with the excellent work of the Spokesman-Review’s Betsy Russell – has long been required reading for anyone in the state who cares about politics and public policy. The kind of perspective, experience and knowledge of the political players that a reporter develops over 30 years can’t easily be replaced. Here’s hoping the effort continues to be made, but the trend lines are hardly encouraging.” More here.

Question: The Statesman has now lost three important journalists in the last year — Opinion Editor Kevin Richert, Outdoors writer Pete Zimowski and now political reporter Dan Popkey. What will the Statesman be like now?