Catharine Richert

1002 1st St. SE ! Rochester, MN 55904 ! (202)-286-6866 ! Catharine.Richert@gmail.com

https://catharinerichert.journoportfolio.com/
Professional Profile
Award-winning journalist with a decade of experience covering national and Minnesota politics, political
fact-checking, health care, and public policy. Clear and persuasive communicator with a talent for
explaining complicated ideas to a general audience. Masters degree in Public Policy from the University
of Minnesota, coupled with a deep understanding of Minnesota politics and culture.

Experience
Reporter, Minnesota Public Radio News, June 2010 July 2015
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Pioneered PoliGraph, a political fact-checking feature that appeared online and on the air. Reported
and wrote two fact-checks a week that scrutinized statements made by Minnesota politicians and
political groups. Wrote scripts for a weekly PoliGraph debrief on MPRs Friday broadcast of All Things
Considered.
Led coverage of Minnesotas rollout of MNsure, including an investigation into how the new agency and
website ended up in disarray. Coverage led to first place awards from the Northwest Broadcast News
Association and the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists, as well as a Best in Show award from
the Minnesota Associated Press Broadcasters.
Wrote and produced radio and web stories, spots and blog posts focusing on the Minnesota Legislature,
Gov. Mark Daytons administration, elections, campaign finance, interest groups and party politics.
Worked across web and social media platforms, including live-blogging major political events,
moderating online candidate forums, and writing MPRs morning political newsletter.
Appeared on MPRs flagship radio shows such as The Daily Circuit with Kerri Miller; represented MPR at
public politics forums; and made numerous appearances on local television stations during the 2011
government shutdown and during the 2014 election.

Reporter, PolitiFact, May 2009 - May 2010

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Fact-checked political claims made by members of the Obama administration, Congress and interest
groups.
Specialized in reporting on climate change, the environment and the Affordable Care Act.
Contributed to PolitiFacts Obameter, a database of promises kept and broken by President Barack
Obama.

Reporter, Congressional Quarterly, March 2006 March 2009

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Covered all aspects of the U.S. Senate, including debate over the 2008 economic bailout and President
Barack Obamas stimulus package. Day-to-day responsibilities included covering Senate leadership and
press conferences, late-night votes, and the influence of the 2008 presidential election on the chambers
dynamics.

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Covered the 2007 rewrite of the farm bill, with a focus on the interest groups and political players that
influenced agricultural policy. Named 2008 Agricultural Journalist of the Year by the North American
Agricultural Journalists.

Reporter, Inside Washington Publishers, March 2005 March 2006

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Covered the Food and Drug Administration and congressional activity related to the agency.

Research Analyst, Energy Policy Practice, ICF Consulting, October 2003 February 2005
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Implemented the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys ENERGY STAR for Homes program.
Trained realtors, builders and developers seeking to use the ENERGY STAR for Homes brand in sales
material and in construction practices.

Additional Recognition
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Winner of the 2008-2009 Milena Jesenska Fellowship for North American Journalists and the 2007-2008
National Press Foundation Paul Miller Fellowship.
Nominated by Minnesota Public Radio News for the 2012 Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists
Young Journalist of the Year Award.
Recognized in 2013 by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists for Chairmans spending
decisions on insiders helped lead to GOP debt, an investigation into how the Republican Party of
Minnesota ended up owing millions to vendors and contractors.

Education
University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN: Master of Public Policy, May 2011.
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Research Assistant to Professor Lawrence Jacobs, June 2010 May 2011. Created and launched
PoliGraph for Minnesota Public Radio News, initially a partnership with with Humphrey School of
Public Affairs.

Oberlin College Oberlin, OH: Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and History, May 2003

Additional Skills
Proficient in Dalet, OneCut, Pro Tools, Audacity, Microsoft Office, including using Xcel to organize large data
sets.