Fort Atkinson Independent Reporter Officially Welcomed by Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce

A new local news service covering civic and business affairs - The Fort Atkinson Independent Reporter (FAIR) – was formally welcomed by the Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

Officially launched on February 5, 2025, FAIR’s news coverage includes – but is not limited to – local current issues generally, events of City Council with its boards, commissions, and committees; the Fort Atkinson School District, Jefferson County government; and developments regarding local business and commerce.

According to Managing Editor John Donohue, FAIR’s news coverage is primarily for the community of Fort Atkinson. “We have been lacking strong, objective, local news coverage on the larger issues of public importance for some time, and we’re stepping forward to fill that need,” Donohue stated.

Donohue stressed that FAIR is and will be strictly nonpartisan in its news coverage, meaning that no political candidates, political parties, or partisan causes will be supported or affirmed. FAIR’s Editorial Policy is to uphold the highest standards of journalistic integrity, fact-based objectivity, and nonpartisan reporting. FAIR maintains contact with credible information sources to help readers more clearly understand the goings-on in and around the community, county, region, and state where relevant.

“Another important aspect of our news reporting obligation centers on Fort Atkinson being midpoint along the vitally important Milwaukee-Madison corridor. This represents a very significant information gathering and reporting responsibility to the public, requiring FAIR’s special attention,” according to Donohue. “This corridor embraces all the major issues of a local economy - population growth, employment, housing, business development, finance and capital formation, agricultural preservation, environmental protection, and recreation, just to name a few. It’s all relevant to our community and thus relevant to FAIR.”

Donohue stated that his journalistic viewpoint recognizes the maxim once voiced by Thomas “Tip” O’Neill that “all news is local,” where events at any level of government and business inevitably have consequences right here at home. In this light, FAIR is in a continuous news gathering and reporting progression.

So that readers may participate more fully in the community, FAIR will be posting reminders of upcoming events and meetings. Citizen news reporting is encouraged. Readers should feel free to submit news tips, ideas and suggestions via FortAtkinsonReporter@gmail.com. All such submissions are subject to FAIR’s regular editorial policy. Letters to the Editor are also welcome, and may be forwarded to: Editor, FortAtkinsonReporter@gmail.com, or via regular mail via Editor, Fort Atkinson Independent Reporter, Post Office Box 632, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538.

In terms of advertising and marketing, Donohue stated, “It is vital that FAIR work toward building a strong portfolio of local advertisers which will build local commerce. We see FAIR as a very special marketing opportunity for local businesses, and we are prepared to help in any way in rebuilding our community retail trade.”

Donohue’s journalistic background took root while he attended Fort Atkinson Senior High School. “I worked an all-night shift at WFAW during my senior year, then after graduation, I moved into full-time news reporting and eventually became News Director. I was a news reporter for the Janesville Gazette radio stations - WCLO and WJVL. I also had the unique opportunity to perform an internship with CBS News in Milwaukee, and then ultimately worked for Westinghouse

Broadcasting in Chicago. I then stepped back to pursue other opportunities.”

Donohue subsequently entered the military, completing a 27-year career with the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp. He holds master’s degrees in Applied Economics, Social Work, and Public Administration, and completed the first Fort Atkinson Local Government Academy via the University of Wisconsin Extension in 2023. “Life comes full circle, returning to local news reporting - such is the need at the moment,” Donohue stated.

FAIR officially launched on February 5, 2025 as an initiative of Citizen Leadership Forum (CLF), Fort Atkinson, for “advancing an informed electorate.” CLF hosted the first Fort Atkinson City Council Candidate Forum in March of this year, which was held at the high school Performing Arts Center. “We plan more of these events for the future,” according to Donohue.

Donohue concluded, “Very special credit and my personal gratitude for FAIR’s technical development go to Digital Marketing Strategist Hollie Lindemann, of Lindemann Creative Services, De Pere, Wisconsin. The countless technicalities of this project would not be achieved without her expertise; and most of all, to my chief of public relations, my advisor and partner, Kelly Lindl, for her immeasurable love and support.”

Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce membership plaque presentation. L-R: Whitney Townsend, Chamber Ambassador; Erika Ewelt, Chamber President; John Donohue, FAIR; and Chamber Ambassador Mark Kay Weston.