Olsen-Koziol joins Free Press news team

CHENEY – A Central Washington University graduate has been hired as a reporter by Free Press Publishing.

Jonathan Olsen-Koziol, 30, of Spokane, started work as a Cheney Free Press reporter on Tuesday, Nov. 16.

Olsen-Koziol will cover the city, local schools, sports and Eastern Washington University for the Free Press.

"Jon's passion for writing and his experience in other media will be an asset to readers," Publisher Roger Harnack said.

"Balanced and neutral reporting is the backbone of our democracy and it's easy to forget that in today's scarred media landscape," Olsen-Koziol said. "Good journalism starts in the small towns and the rural communities, and I'm thrilled to contribute to a long-standing tradition that makes our country special. "

He said he's anxious to start covering the news in a college city.

"College towns are always fun because of how the unique subsections of politics and culture blend," Olsen-Koziol said.

He got his start in journalism by covering Ellensburg City Council and how cannabis industry issues played out through the Kittitas County commissioner elections.

After graduating with his journalism degree, he continued covering the cannabis industry up and down the West Coast with "Respect My Region," a Seattle-based hip-hop and cannabis publication. There, he covered both the music and cannabis industries in Seattle and how the two intersect.

Olsen-Koziol was a part-time photographer while covering local shows at historic concert venues like Showbox Market, Neumos, the Crocodile and Columbia City Theatre. He also covered some of the state's largest music festivals, including Summer Meltdown, Bumbershoot and Capitol Hill Block Party.

Outside of traditional reporter, Olsen-Koziol said he is a comic book fanatic.

And while he's patiently waiting for the Marvel Cinematic Universe release, he writes features about Batman and other DC and Marvel Comics staples for "Comic Book Resources," one of the oldest voices in comic book journalism.

He also freelances for" Leafwell," an online medical cannabis publication that assists people all over the country in gaining access to medical cannabis by connecting them with physicians in their state and navigating local laws.

Olsen-Koziol said he is looking forward to his new reporting gig because he wants to continue to challenge himself through writing and reporting in new environs, and because he loves Washington.

Prior to college, he grew up in the agriculture communities of Othello and Moses Lake and said he understands how important and unheralded these communities are for the overall landscape of our country's success.

He lived in Seattle for more than five years and fell in love with the artistic culture. He also became obsessed with journalism's place in the creation of our country.

When Jon isn't reporting or researching,, he's gaming.

He said he's been gaming for 23 years, and he loves it as much today as the first time he picked up a Gameboy Color.

Olsen-Koziol said readers who have story ideas can contact him at [email protected], or by calling 509-235-6184.