Get to know Hope Karnopp, trending politics reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's trending politics reporter, Hope Karnopp is often trying to help people understand what's going on in government and elections through stories and social media video.
But in a story about the history of Wisconsin's first capital, in Belmont, she explains how state government got started — and got to where it is.
It's all part of the job for Karnopp, who joined the Journal Sentinel in late 2023 after covering politics in Madison as a Journal Sentinel intern. The Green Bay native graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and, since joining the Milwaukee newsroom, has covered presidential campaigns, both national conventions and legislation in the state Capitol.
Here, you can get to know her a little more:
Question: You recently did a story on Belmont, which was the capital of Wisconsin before Madison. What's your favorite detail from that story?
Answer: My favorite detail by far was Historical Society staff getting calls from people who think they're contacting the First Capitol salvage yard. Apparently, they keep the correct phone number handy on a Post-it note. Sometimes during an interview, I'll hear a perfect quote or anecdote, and it's like a lightbulb goes on in my brain. That was one of them.
It seems like there was a lot of corruption in the story of relocating the capital. Is there a sliding-door scenario where Belmont is still the capital today?
The decision came down to only a few votes, so it's certainly possible. I was surprised Mineral Point wasn't selected, because that was really the booming city at the time. It's amazing that one person, James Doty, is responsible for how Madison looks today. It's hard to picture it as anything else now.
Do you find that your role lends itself to documenting the history of Wisconsin's political landscape, or was this an outlier? What is the central mission of the trending politics reporter?
This might be the only history-centric story I've taken on at the Journal Sentinel, but I find myself looking back in time quite a bit. When I wrote about Wisconsin's referendum process, for example, I dug into the Blue Book and found some fascinating historical details that shaped the story.
That's one part of my trending role — analyzing what's changed or stayed the same throughout Wisconsin politics, like rules for returning absentee ballots. My job is a new addition to our newsroom and means a lot of different things, including fact-checking claims that go viral online.
Often, I'm explaining what's going on behind our traditional politics headlines. When I voted in my first election at 18, I had no idea who or what would be on the ballot. I aim to provide that essential information to readers.
You get to write about a lot of fun stuff on the politics beat, like a or lawmakers wanting to make the . Do you find it difficult to thread the needle of finding engaging stories while still recognizing how big a role politics can have on the lives of everyday citizens?
My philosophy behind these fun stories is to explain something serious about politics that readers didn't know before. A panda ad is bound to draw attention, but it also shows how candidates have to reach voters differently in the digital age. Or, why lawmakers worry about upsetting the beer or cheese lobby when they pick a new state symbol.
Even my stories about specialized license plates go deeper. How do citizens interact with bureaucracy through state DMVs? Where does the money come from to improve the roads we drive on every day?
I try to find stories with wide appeal, even to non-political junkies, and share how state government works in the process.
What was your path to journalism?
I loved creative writing as a kid and filled many notebooks with the first chapters of books I never finished. I thought about being a teacher like my mom. I enjoyed my social studies classes in high school, where we connected current events to history.
Journalism seemed like a combination of all those things. I went into college not knowing exactly what it would entail, but I wandered over to the state news desk at the Daily Cardinal student newspaper, and the rest was history.
You're from Green Bay, went to school in Madison and now live and work in Milwaukee. So, which of the state's three biggest cities is really the best? Bonus points for saying something nice about the Big Appleton.
Don't make me choose! I love the pride Green Bay has in our Packers. Madison is the quintessential college town and the Terrace is one of my favorite places, but I love the upgrade to Lake Michigan. Milwaukee's restaurant scene has absolutely blown me away. The people encouraging you to move to Milwaukee are correct.
Appleton is underrated. Great mall, College Avenue rocks, beautiful riverfront. That's three things.
Politics right now: Complicated! To say the least! Is this stressful? Dismaying? What do you tell people who want to know what the job is like?
It was a whirlwind in 2024. I covered both conventions and countless rallies. Election seasons are stressful, but I find it important to provide useful information when votes matter so much in Wisconsin. That responsibility can feel like a lot, but our amazing, supportive politics team sticks together.
Something I tell people is that politics is — for the most part — civil and cooperative at the state level. Rep. Todd Novak got that point across in the First Capitol story. I try to highlight examples of bipartisanship, which I think most voters want but seldom see in headlines.
Name three things important to you that have nothing to do with work.
A cup of freshly brewed, medium-roast coffee in the morning, framed posters from indie rock concerts I've been to and visiting Door County with my family.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Get to know Journal Sentinel trending politics reporter Hope Karnopp
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