Monthly Newsletter: What I'm Working On

Thanks for subscribing. Here’s what I’m working on this month.

📚 Currently Writing

The Settlement Machine

My new book about Nebraska’s settlement economy is in revision. We’re at 92,000 words and aiming for a spring 2027 publication. More details coming soon.

“In Nebraska, the story isn’t just what’s in the news — it’s what’s settled out of court.” — Chapter 1 draft

Weekly Columns

I’m continuing my bi-weekly column with the Lincoln Journal Star, covering the Nebraska Unicameral session. This year’s focus: infrastructure funding and water rights.

🎤 Upcoming Events

Lincoln Book Festival — May 15

I’ll be speaking at the Lincoln Book Festival about investigative journalism’s future. Panel at 2pm, book signing at 4pm.

Nebraska Press Association — June 3

Keynote on source protection and digital security. Tips for journalists navigating the modern landscape.

Camp La Junta Visit — June 20

Visiting Camp La Junta for summer kickoff. If you’re a scholarship applicant or parent, stop by the opening campfire.

📖 What I’m Reading

The New York Times v. United States — on the Pentagon Papers
Ring of Profit — on settlement abuse
The Forever War — Joe Galloway’sVietnam memoir (re-reading)

💭 From My Desk

Some thoughts from this month:

“The best stories are the ones that won’t let you go. Not because they’re controversial, but because they’re true.”

I’m also experimenting with longer-form content — essays that don’t fit in newspaper columns. If there’s a topic you’re curious about, reply and let me know.

🔗 Links

Thanks for reading. Next month, I’ll share more about the book.

Matthew Bovee
Lincoln, Nebraska
[email protected]