Photo Credit: Ben Fractenberg
Katie Honan (‘10) spends most days chasing the stories that shape New York City. As a senior reporter at nonprofit newsroom THE CITY, no two days look the same. She might be combing through FOIL requests, pressing the mayor at a weekly presser, or tracking down sources in all five boroughs, all in pursuit of stories that matter to New Yorkers.
At THE CITY, Katie helps steer FAQ NYC, which bills itself as “The New Yorkest Podcast.” The show digs into what’s happening in the city now, how we got here, and where we’re headed next. With her co-hosts, Katie brings in elected officials, voices from all corners of the city, and even an occasional musical guest.
After graduating with a degree in television and film from St. John’s University, Katie worked in TV and film production and briefly in media sales before a brush with office boredom and the resignation of then Gov. Eliot Spitzer pushed her to something new. “Nobody around me cared that New York’s governor resigned,” she said. “I couldn’t get out of that job fast enough.” That frustration ultimately led her to Newmark J-School and her calling.
Since graduating in 2010, Katie has built a deeply rooted career in New York City journalism. From covering neighborhoods in Queens for the beloved DNAinfo to reporting from City Hall for The Wall Street Journal, she has remained committed to local reporting. Even when faced with setbacks, she never stopped pursuing stories about the city she calls home.
She’s proudest of her work during two of the city’s most difficult moments: Hurricane Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic. For both, she brought not just her skills but her personal connection and sense of duty. “There was too much at stake,” she says. “It was the type of story that solidified why I work in journalism.”
Katie credits Newmark J-School with giving her the foundation and community to thrive. “From my first moments at the school, I felt really comfortable,” she says. “My classmates and I really bonded early on, and they are still some of my closest friends.”
She offers current students this advice: “If the work is important to you, most of the sacrifices will be worth it. But don’t let people take advantage of you. And if you cover powerful people, don’t be afraid of them. They should be afraid of you. That’s what good reporting does.”
Outside of journalism, Katie finds joy in the everyday: seeing friends and family, catching live music, and performing in the Inner Circle, a comedic variety show where reporters roast local politicians.
Whether she’s holding public officials accountable or helping listeners understand their city through her podcast, Katie Honan is guided by a deep love for New York and an even deeper belief in the power of journalism.