SPJ Madison Pro event Feb. 3

A Capitol Press Corps Baker’s Dozen Thirteen tips for covering the state budget, agencies and the new administration of Gov. Scott Walker

MADISON  — The Madison professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists invites all area journalists to a Feb. 3 training session on covering state government: “A Capitol Press Corps Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen tips for covering the state budget, agencies and the new administration of Gov. Scott Walker.” The event is aimed at helping journalists who don’t regularly cover the Capitol develop story ideas and sources in state government. The event will take place two days after Gov. Scott Walker gives his first State of the State address.

The training features Steven Walters, former Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Capitol bureau chief who is now a senior producer with WisconsinEye; Scott Bauer, Capitol bureau chief for the Associated Press; and Jessica Arp, political reporter for WISC-TV Channel 3. Walters is a veteran journalist who has covered several Wisconsin gubernatorial transitions. Bauer has covered state government in Wisconsin and Nebraska. Arp, a frequent social media user, is reporting from the Capitol early in her career. Walters, Bauer and Arp will offer tips, discuss their work and answer questions. The session will take place Thursday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m., at Frida’s Mexican Grill, 117 State Street (upper level, front of restaurant overlooking State St.). There will be a cash bar; SPJ will provide appetizers.

Immediately preceding the training, at 6 p.m. in the same location, the Madison SPJ chapter will hold a business meeting. All journalists are invited to attend the meeting, but only SPJ members may vote on chapter business. An agenda will be announced later.

SPJ is a national membership organization that promotes high standards and ethics among journalists, fosters First Amendment principles and advocates that journalism is a key element in representative democracy. The local chapter recently reformed under new leadership. The Feb. 3 training is the first in a series of events for journalists and the public the local chapter plans to offer in 2011.

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