For nearly two decades, Austin Jenkins was public radio’s “man in Olympia,” covering state government and politics for the region’s NPR stations. In that role, Austin built a reputation as a tough but fair reporter who held politicians to account and shined a light on government failures. His reporting often focused on the plight of vulnerable populations, including people with mental illness, those with developmental disabilities and vulnerable youth.

Austin’s reporting was recognized with awards from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors, Public Media Journalists Association (formerly PRNDI), the Radio Television Digital News Association and the Society of Professional Journalists, as well as the Washington Coalition for Open Government and the Washington State Association for Justice.

In 2022, Austin joined the inaugural staff of Pluribus News, a digital-only startup focused on emerging policy trends in all 50 states. In that role, Austin covers the role that states are playing in setting tech policy in the absence of congressional action, including the regulation of artificial intelligence, consumer data privacy and children’s online safety.

Austin is also the longtime host of “Inside Olympia,” an Emmy-nominated, in-depth public affairs interview program on TVW, the state’s C-SPAN network. Austin’s guests include the governor and other statewide elected officials, state lawmakers, state agency directors and other newsmakers and notable Washingtonians.

Early in his career, Austin worked as a television reporter in Seattle, Portland and other markets.

Austin earned his B.A. in government from Connecticut College and his Master in Communication from the Communication Leadership program at the University of Washington.

He lives in Olympia with his wife Jennifer and two teenage children.