Ron Turner talks with Heather Bowlan, Documenters Program Manager with the Committee of Seventy, serving Philadelphia, providing a citizen-powered reporting program that trains and pays residents to cover public government meetings and improve access to local information. Bowlan discusses Philadelphia Documenters, including training, paid assignments, editorial support, and publication of meeting notes for public use. She also shares how the program promotes civic engagement, government transparency, and collaboration with City Bureau and Temple University. Future goals include expanding participation and increasing coverage of public meetings. A compelling result from a similar program in Detroit saw public comment at city council meetings double after residents gained better access to information. (www.seventy.org)
Original airdate: 10/11/2026
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Ron joined K-LOVE in 2023 and he covers Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, portions of NE and NJ, including major markets Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
