About Us

Missouri News Horizon (MNH) is an independent, non-profit news organization founded in 2009 in order to serve the growing need for news coverage in the state.

With an emphasis on statehouse reporting, MNH seeks to provide the public with objective news without advancing any political message or viewpoint. Instead, MNH works to provide a thoughtful, accurate, and reliable offering of objective reportage.

At MNH we believe educating the public is crucial to holding government accountable.

The reporters for MNH will follow the Code of Ethics for the Society of Professional Journalists, which insists that journalists always act with integrity, that they should:
1) Seek the Truth and Report It
2) Minimize Harm
3) Act Independently and
4) Be Accountable

MNH also embraces the Journalist’s Creed written by Walter Williams, a founder of the Missouri School of Journalism, which holds that journalists are public servants and that “clear thinking, clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism.”

MNH is a non-profit, 501(C)(3), organization.

Mission Statement

“To provide the public with open and honest news reporting, promote greater transparency in government, and to encourage dissemination and dialogue of news and information in the state of Missouri.”

Staff

Dick Aldrich is chief state capitol correspondent for MNH. Mr Aldrich has spent more than 30 years in the field of journalism as a reporter, news manager and in governmental public relations.
For the past 12 years, Dick was a member of the communications staff of the Missouri House of Representatives. Before that, he served ten years as Assistant News Director/Assignment Editor at KRCG-TV in Jefferson City. Previous to that, Dick spent time on the staff at the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri and at KHMO Radio in Jefferson City. Dick also hosts talk shows on KWOS Radio in Jefferson City, where he is an award winning sports producer and host.
Email: daldrich@missouri-news.org

Tim Sampson is a multi-media reporter for MNH who holds a deep passion for politics. His work has appeared in The Kerrville Daily Times, The Peoria Journal Star, Politics Magazine and The BG News. In 2007, he received a Mark of Excellence award from the Society of Professional Journalists. In addition, he won an award from The West Texas Press Association for his local coverage. Sampson studied at Bowling Green State University and Georgetown University.

Email: tsampson@missouri-news.org

Jason Hannasch is president of MNH. Mr. Hannasch moved to Saint Louis in 1989. Since then, he has become an influential advocate for non-partisan reform in the city. He served as the executive director of Citizens for Home Rule and Empower Saint Louis from 2000 to 2004. In 2002, he managed the statewide campaign for a constitutional amendment granting home rule to Saint Louis, which was approved by nearly 70 percent of Missouri voters. In 2005 he became the founding staffer for the Show-Me Institute, a Missouri based think tank.

Jason is currently on the board of Tennessee Report, a non-profit news service organization and Headspring Group, a non-profit business services organization.  He has also served on the board of directors of Metropolis–Saint Louis, a group devoted to revitalizing St. Louis city. He holds a bachelors of science in business administration from the University of Missouri–Saint Louis.

Email: jhannasch@missouri-news.org

Sarah McIntosh is vice president of MNH. Ms. McIntosh received her bachelors in Political Science from Wichita State University in Kansas and her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

Ms. McIntosh is lecturer in constitutional law and American politics at Wichita State University and a regular contributor to the Heartland Institute’s School Reform News, Health Care Reform News, Budget and Tax News, and Environmental News.

She has prior experience managing and writing for think tanks across the country.

Ms. McIntosh volunteers with the Ronald McDonald Houses in Wichita, Kansas, serves as a member of Wichita State University’s volunteer Wu Crew, and dedicates time to serving the homeless at the Lord’s Diner in Wichita.

She lives in Kansas with her two dogs, Franny and Zooey.

Email: smcintosh@missouri-news.org

Board

Jeff Allen severs on the Board of MNH. Mr. Allen is Program Director for Emmis Radio-St. Louis. He oversees day to day operations of FM NewsTalk 97.1 (KFTK) and assists with three other radio stations including K-SHE-95, K-Hits 96.3 and 105.7 The Point. Jeff has been programming for Emmis radio in St. Louis for 14 years.

Before Emmis, Mr. Allen served as Program Director or air personality for various other St. Louis stations including WKKX, KIHT, KRJY, KSTZ and WCBW. He also has held positions in Kirksville, Mo. and Columbia, Mo.

Mr. Allen is involved in many charities including St. Louis Children’s Hospital, March of Dimes, the USO and various other veterans based charities. He also has been the recipient of many professional awards and acknowledgments including several Missouri Broadcasters awards, St. Louis AIR awards, Habitat for Humanity awards and special recognition from organizations like the USO, US Coast Guard and numerous civic organizations.

Mr. Allen is a proud native of St. Louis and lives in O’Fallon, Mo. with his wife Teresa. They have two boys.

Mike Cheles serves on the Board of MNH. Mr. Cheles has spent close to three decades in information technology and supply chain management roles primarily in the manufacturing and service sectors.  In the past ten years he served as the Chief Information Officer for both MEMC and Hussmann Corporation and as a Director of Information Technology, United Healthcare.  Prior to that he was the Director of Information Technology for all non US IT operations with Bausch & Lomb, a Consulting Manager with Accenture Consulting and a Master Scheduler with C. H. Dexter.

Mr. Cheles has a broad range of experience gained from working in the aerospace, semi conductor, consumer goods, healthcare, pharmaceutical, commercial refrigeration and paper making industries.  He has managed operations in twenty countries across 4 continents.

He has a bachelor’s degree in operations management from Michigan State University and a MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Currently, Mr. Cheles is working as an independent consultant.

Jason Hannasch is Chairperson of the Board for MNH.  Mr. Hannasch moved to Saint Louis in 1989. Since then, he has become an influential advocate for non-partisan reform in the city. He served as the executive director of Citizens for Home Rule and Empower Saint Louis from 2000 to 2004. In 2002, he managed the statewide campaign for a constitutional amendment granting home rule to Saint Louis, which was approved by nearly 70 percent of Missouri voters.

Jason is currently on the board of Tennessee Report, a non-profit news service organization and Headspring Group, a non-profit business services organization.  He has also served on the board of directors of Metropolis–Saint Louis, a group devoted to revitalizing St. Louis city. He holds a B.S. in business administration from the University of Missouri–Saint Louis.

Don J. Hicks is Treasurer of the Board for MNH. Mr. Hicks began his broadcasting career in 1970.  He assumed his present duties as President/CEO of the Missouri Broadcasters Association in 1994.  He is responsible for the day-to-day operation and developmental strategy of the organization.  As a part of this mission, he conceives and designs training programs and legal/regulatory resources for the radio and television member stations.  In addition, he works to ensure that the best interests of Missouri’s broadcasters are represented in both federal and state government and regulatory agencies. Under his leadership the MBA has achieved an impressive record of legislative success especially in the area of sales and property tax relief for Missouri’s broadcasters.  He is recognized as an innovator and leader in the development of new Internet based services including on-line training and Broadcast1Source, a system to assist broadcasters with the compliance, record keeping, and reporting requirements of the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission.

Prior to his present position, Mr. Hicks was a General Manager and Sales Manager of television stations in Texas and Missouri.  He is a graduate of Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.

He and his wife, Cathy, reside in Columbia, Missouri.

Sarah McIntosh is Vice-Chairperson and Secretary of the Board for MNH. Ms. McIntosh received her bachelors in Political Science from Wichita State University in Kansas and her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

Ms. McIntosh is lecturer in constitutional law and American politics at Wichita State University and a regular contributor to the Heartland Institute’s School Reform News, Health Care Reform News, and Budget and Tax News.

She has prior experience managing and writing for think tanks across the country.

Ms. McIntosh volunteers with the Ronald McDonald Houses in Wichita, Kansas, serves as a member of Wichita State University’s volunteer Wu Crew, and dedicates time to serving the homeless at the Lord’s Diner in Wichita.

She lives in Kansas with her two dogs, Franny and Zooey.

Dalton Wright serves on the Board for MNH. Mr. Wright has had a career in radio and newspaper publishing spans more than three decades. He has founded more than a dozen news organizations as well as building up local organizations serving community interests.

Currently Mr. Wright is president and owner of Ozark Media, a holding company that includes seven newspapers, as well as thirteen niche publications, KFLW radio station, and an Internet service provider company that serves more than a dozen communities.

Mr. Wright’s has been elected to various leadership positions in newspaper and community associations. He has served on the board of directors and several committees of the National Newspaper association, and is a past president of the organization.

He is also past president of the Missouri Press Association, the Missouri Associated Dailies, the Ozark Press Association, the Central Press Association and the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Wright is a retired colonel and recently served as a volunteer consultant to Pact’s program in Mongolia, serves as a Civilian Aide to Secretary of the Army, is on the Missouri State Government Review Commission, and St. John’s Lebanon Missouri hospital board.

He is a graduate of the University of Missouri.