Nicole Roberts is the community engagement editor for the News Tribune. She works with readers to enhance their interactions with the News Tribune, coordinates community events and partnerships with local organizations, and guides reporters who are producing multimedia elements like videos and interactive graphs. She also writes news and feature stories occasionally. Before becoming engagement editor in August 2019, Roberts served as the News Tribune's Jefferson City government reporter for over two years. Some of the topics she reported on included redevelopment of the city-owned property at the Missouri State Penitentiary, creation of the bicentennial bridge to Adrian's Island, rehabilitation efforts along East Capitol Avenue, and legal issues surrounding a crumbling building in downtown Jefferson City. Roberts received a bachelor's degree in journalism in 2017 from Missouri State University in Springfield, where she served as editor-in-chief of the school's student newspaper, The Standard. The Associated Press, Kansas City Press Club and Missouri College Media Association have recognized Roberts for her work at the News Tribune and The Standard. She is originally from Rolla but attended high school in Vienna, about 30 minutes southeast of Jefferson City. Follow Nicole on Twitter at @NReneeRoberts.
Recent stories by Nicole Roberts
BizBeat: 1 in the Chamber offers gunsmithing in Jefferson City
After seeing a need in Jefferson City, Bryan Watkins decided to turn a firearms hobby into a business.
Jan. 26 2020 @ 12:00am
BizBeat: GNC closes at Capital Mall
Health retailer GNC closed its doors at Capital Mall earlier this month.
Jan. 26 2020 @ 12:00am
City taking ownership of crumbling building
Jefferson City will soon become the owner of the crumbling building at 200 E. High St. before it is demolished.
Jan. 22 2020 @ 11:09pm
Council approves demolition contract for crumbling downtown building
After almost 20 months of waiting, the downtown crumbling building will be demolished, possibly within the next two months. The building next door, which had an uncertain fate after its neighbor collapsed, will be saved.
Jan. 21 2020 @ 11:29pm
BizBeat: Grub and Scrub on its way to Eugene
What's currently a small area of mud, gravel and concrete off U.S. 54 in Eugene will soon be a place where people can grub on some classic fast food before scrubbing down their vehicles.
Jan. 19 2020 @ 12:05am
Locals reflect on anniversary of Prohibition in Jefferson City
Jan. 17 marked the centennial of the beginning of Prohibition in the United States, and even decades later remnants of the alcohol-free spell are still hidden in Jefferson City.
Jan. 18 2020 @ 10:16pm
BizBeat: Jerk Hut to open physical location on East Dunklin Street
It was common in the early 2000s to see Colin Russell and Rexroy Scott making Jamaican food near the intersection of Lafayette and East Dunklin streets in Jefferson City.
Jan. 12 2020 @ 12:03am
BizBeat: Second Jefferson City Burger King opens, sporting new corporate design
The second Burger King in Jefferson City is now open and is the second location in the world to show off the brand's new restaurant design.
Jan. 12 2020 @ 12:03am
Jefferson City Council again holds off voting on crumbling downtown building solution
The Jefferson City Council held off voting Monday evening on a contract to demolish one or both crumbling downtown buildings.
Jan. 6 2020 @ 11:47pm
BizBeat: C&D Auto Repair opens in Russellville
Chris Wilkerson's automotive career has come full circle, having just opened a shop in the same building where he started his mechanic career 10 years ago.
Jan. 6 2020 @ 10:35am
BizBeat: La Chica Loca ends turbulent year with new location
La Chica Loca is kicking off 2020 with a new adventure — a physical location in downtown Jefferson City.
Jan. 6 2020 @ 10:30am
Annual New Year's Day Cruise brings back memories of classic cars
More than 50 people drove classic cars and visited various garages around Jefferson City and area communities on Wednesday as part of the Mid Mo Old Car Club's annual New Year's Day Cruise.
Jan. 1 2020 @ 11:42pm
Angela Nale actively promotes Capital City assets, events
Life is a constant juggling act for Angela Nale, the public relations coordinator and marketing officer for Central Bank. But that title only gives a small glimpse into her active life.
Dec. 29 2019 @ 11:30pm
BizBeat: Jefferson City's only cab service to run out of gas this week
Checker Cab owner Tom Landwehr has guided Jefferson City's only cab service over hills — literally and figuratively — for the last 40 years.
Dec. 29 2019 @ 12:02am
BizBeat: The Off Ramp sports new looks, name as The Office Bar
With stone walls, black ceiling tiles and metal siding around the bar counter, the inside of The Off Ramp looks dramatically different now than it did in early November.
Dec. 29 2019 @ 12:02am
BizBeat: Smith becomes sole owner of Care Planning Solutions
Jetawn Smith knew she was born to take care of elderly individuals, and she took that passion a step forward recently by becoming the sole owner of Care Planning Solutions.
Dec. 29 2019 @ 12:02am
Day Solutions Foundation, JC Parks partner on Stars Night Out
Day Solutions Foundation and the Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department are coming together to provide a fun night of activities for "stars" with mental and/or physical disabilities.
Dec. 28 2019 @ 12:05am
CHRISTMAS WISH: 4-year-old at Special Learning Center is 'true fighter'
Olivia McCullough, 4, has a rare genetic disorder and suffered a 26-minute seizure at 9 months that "basically reset her brain" and led to a backslide in developmental skills. Her parents credit much of Olivia's recovery to the therapists at the Special Learning Center.
Dec. 23 2019 @ 11:20pm
BizBeat: Tiger's Den offers entertainment space
After this year's flood sank his first entertainment business, Vandderlee Hughes has returned with a new venue on Jefferson Street — and this time he's catering to a different demographic.
Dec. 22 2019 @ 12:00am
BizBeat: Dotty's Cafe reopens temporarily in Hartsburg
The omelets and pancakes Dotty's Cafe was known for will temporarily return once again when the Hartsburg business reopens next year.
Dec. 22 2019 @ 12:00am
