The publicist for Iowa’s Department of Public Safety told the JMC73 Radio News class she keeps a foot in journalism as she responds to requests for information from media and the public.
The DPS consists of five divisions including the Division of Criminal Investigation and the State Fire Marshall’s Office.When Jessica Lown drives to the scene of a major event to answer media questions, she’s prepared. Her suitcase is always packed. Her laptop with a micro-printer is always present.
Lown’s first media experience came at KDLS, Perry, in the days when qualified high school students helped fill board shifts. During her senior year at Drake she joined Fox17 news as a part-time photojournalist. That job became full time from 2005 until February of 2007, when she joined DPS.