Leslie Klosterman on Muck Rack

Leslie Klosterman

Verified
(She/Her)
Richmond
As seen in: Homes.com, U.S. News and World Report, MYSA, Times Union (Albany), Tulsa World, Bryan-College Station Eagle, Dothan Eagle, The Journal Gazette, Ball State Daily, The Messenger (Madisonville, KY), The Daily Standard
Covers:  Health, government, schools, agriculture, business, faith and religion, breaking news, investigations
She/her | Ball State Alum | 27 | Journalist | Ohio

Get in touch with Leslie

Contact Leslie, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.

Learn more about Muck Rack

Actions

Share this page

Leslie Klosterman’s Biography

Read Full Bio →

I'm a jack-of-all trades storyteller with eight years of experience. I started my career as a journalist and covered a variety of beats, including government, health, agriculture, business, investigations and feature stories. I've won numerous first-place Ohio AP Media Editors awards. I transitioned to the corporate world in 2024, writing SEO-driven community guides and scripts for a leading real estate SaaS platform.

Leslie Klosterman’s Journalist Portfolio

See all →
Between the World and Me: Why Did Parkway Schools BAN This Book?

Between the World and Me: Why Did Parkway Schools BAN This Book?

ROCKFORD - Despite the fact that all Mercer County school districts have virtually the same policies for hand…

View article →
Infrastructure

Infrastructure

CELINA - On a hot June day on the Wabash River, Mercer County engineer Jim Wiechart discussed one of the favo…

View article →
Three Die In Farm Accident

Three Die In Farm Accident

ST. HENRY - Three brothers who became trapped in a manure pit at a farm near St. Henry died on Tuesday. An of…

View article →
Boston newest assistance dog to be

Boston newest assistance dog to be

ST. MARYS - Erin Chrisman parked outside K9to5 Doggie Daycare on Friday morning, ushering her toddler out of …

View article →
A Hero Comes Home

A Hero Comes Home

CELINA - Robert Edward Bailey, 21, was waiting for his brother to join him on the USS Oklahoma in Hawaii duri…

View article →
Sheriff's office probes daycare for alleged abuse

Sheriff's office probes daycare for alleged abuse

CELINA - The Mercer County Sheriff's Office is investigating reports of potential child abuse at the former K…

View article →

Articles

New exhibition at Art Source

|
By Leslie Klosterman Verified, Thomas Haines
| The Daily Standard Verified
Reception to be held at gallery By Leslie Gartrell NEW BREMEN - A new exhibit at Art Source Ohio will invite viewers to self-reflect with a collection of abstract multimedia paintings and conceptual glass sculptures. "Beneath the Surface" will feature the work of Gregory Price and Jimi Gleason and will kick off with a reception party from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at the gallery, 647 West Monroe Street, where the artists will be available to meet with guests.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?

No plans for Celina landfill

|
By Leslie Klosterman Verified, Thomas Haines
| The Daily Standard Verified
The huge mound will be monitored for 30 years By Leslie Gartrell CELINA - There are no plans for the Celina Sanitary Landfill for the foreseeable future, according to an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency official. During an Ag Education series presentation on Thursday evening, OEPA engineer Edward O'Loughlin said there has been no word on how or if the landfill will be used in the future. The landfill, owned by Republic Services, has been closed since 2021.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?

Parents disagree on situation at Victorum daycare

|
By Leslie Klosterman Verified
| The Daily Standard Verified
By Leslie Gartrell CELINA - Six families who currently have or have had children enrolled at Victorum Learning Center spoke with The Daily Standard about their thoughts and experiences with the daycare center. The parents agreed that abuse and misconduct is inexcusable and that the center would benefit from additional oversight, accountability and communication. But the agreements largely stop there. Many parents whose children no longer go to the daycare believe the center should be shut down.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?
See all 418 articles

Interview

See all →

What was your first job as a journalist?

Working at The Daily Standard, a family-owned paper in Ohio, as a reporter, photographer and editorial supervisor.

What tools and software do you use to do your job?

Photoshop, Canva, DSLR photography and Microsoft products.

Why did you become a journalist?

I stumbled into journalism and fell in love with working in my communities to uplift their voices and keep them informed.

Awards

See all →

Best Investigative Reporting, First Place

2023 - Investigative Journalism

Ohio AP Media Editors, Division II (Newspapers with a daily circulation of 8,000 to 11,999). For my series of stories following a couple charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. The judge's commentary said: "Shows a dedication to follow the story wherever it leads, and is a textbook example of using documents to tell a story."

View Award

Best Investigative Reporting, First Place

2021 - Investigative Journalism

Ohio AP Media Editors, Division II (Newspapers with a daily circulation of 8,000 to 11,999). For my coverage of a local school district that went against norms to quietly pull books from classrooms and library shelves without public input. The judge's commentary said: "The writer followed all the threads to this story, and revealed findings in a clear and easy to consume way. Excellent work gathering information and telling a nationally important story on a community level. I was particularly floored by the now-mayor who lead the charge against two books -- and didn't have a kid in the class reading the most recent."

View Award

Best Business Writer, First Place

2021 - Business Writing

Ohio AP Media Editors, Division II (Newspapers with a daily circulation of 8,000 to 11,999). For a collection of business stories written over the course of the year. The judge's commentary said: "Excellent balance of news, community feature, specialness of local business in each story."

View Award

Best Spot News Coverage, First Place

2021 - Breaking News

Ohio AP Media Editors, Division II (Newspapers with a daily circulation of 8,000 to 11,999). For my coverage of a tragic farm accident that killed three brothers. I worked diligently behind the scenes to confirm the name of the victims with only an hour until print. The judge's commentary said: "Excellent job overcoming obstacles on a tight deadline to gather essential facts of a horrific tragedy."

View Award

Best Enterprise Reporting, First Place

2021 - Enterprise Reporting

Daily Standard Staff. Ohio AP Media Editors, Division II (Newspapers with a daily circulation of 8,000 to 11,999). For a series of stories covering infrastructure, including my kick-off piece on roads, bridges and other physical infrastructure. The judge's commentary said: "A true standout in terms of sheer effort. Project showed a lot of initiative."

View Award

Best Enterprise Reporting, Second Place

2023 - Enterprise Reporting

Ohio AP Media Editors, Division II (Newspapers with a daily circulation of 8,000 to 11,999). For my series of stories covering reports of child abuse at a local daycare and the community fallout.

View Award

Best Feature Writer, Second Place

2020 - Feature Writing

Ohio AP Media Editors, Division II (Newspapers with a daily circulation of 8,000 to 11,999).

View Award

Best Business Writer, Second Place

2022 - Business Writing

Ohio AP Media Editors, Division II (Newspapers with a daily circulation of 8,000 to 11,999).

View Award

Best Investigative Reporting, Third Place

2021 - Investigative Journalism

Ohio AP Media Editors, Division II (Newspapers with a daily circulation of 8,000 to 11,999). For my coverage of a local food bank that gave opened and expired food to consumers. The judge's commentary said: "Good example of why it's important to give space to marginalized communities."

View Award

Best Feature Writer, Third Place

2021 - Feature Writing

Ohio AP Media Editors, Division II (Newspapers with a daily circulation of 8,000 to 11,999).

View Award

Best Feature Writer, Third Place Place

2022 - Feature Writing

Ohio AP Media Editors, Division II (Newspapers with a daily circulation of 8,000 to 11,999).

View Award
 •  Privacy  •  Terms  •  Security and Legal  •   •   •   • 

© 2026 Muck Rack

SOC 2® Certified