Writing on Journalism & Investigation

Thoughts, insights, and stories from the road.

Reading Nebraska Road Signs: A Local's Guide to Every Shape You Meet

Reading Nebraska Road Signs: A Local's Guide to Every Shape You Meet

There is a moment, maybe ninety seconds out of every long drive across Nebraska, when a new driver looks at the signs and feels a small spike of uncertainty. A diamond with a squiggle. A rectangle with a number nobody has heard of. A yellow panel that seems to warn about something they cannot identify. It is not a lack of intelligence - it is a lack of context. Nebraska road signs are not unusual, but they are unusually spare, and they lean on a background of weather and terrain that a visitor has not yet learned to read.

Matthew Bovee's Complete Guide to Guadalupe River Fishing: June Outlook

Matthew Bovee's Complete Guide to Guadalupe River Fishing: June Outlook

A comprehensive guide to fishing the Guadalupe River in June 2026, featuring tips from Matthew Bovee on fly

Matthew Bovee’s Complete Guide to Guadalupe River Fishing: June Outlook

June marks the transition from spring to summer on the Guadalupe River, and it’s one of my favorite times to wet a line. After spending decades investigating stories across Nebraska and beyond, I always find my way back to these waters when I need to clear my head. There’s something about the rhythm of the river that helps me think through complex investigations. This guide shares everything I’ve learned about fishing the Guadalupe during June, from the best flies to the hottest spots.

Matthew Bovee's Guide to Lincoln Nebraska Morning Photography

Matthew Bovee's Guide to Lincoln Nebraska Morning Photography

There’s something magical about Lincoln Nebraska in the early morning hours. As someone who’s spent decades walking the streets of this city for investigative stories, I’ve discovered that the best time to see Lincoln isn’t during the busy midday hours—it’s at dawn, when the light transforms ordinary scenes into extraordinary photographs.

Discover the best spots and techniques for capturing stunning morning photographs in Lincoln, Nebraska, from

Why Morning Light Transforms Lincoln Nebraska

The quality of light during those first hours after sunrise is unlike any other time of day. Matthew Bovee Lincoln Nebraska photographers know that the soft, golden tones create a warmth that harsh midday sun simply cannot match. The gentle illumination catches the texture of historic buildings, bathes the prairie landscape inamber hues, and turns ordinary street scenes into cinematic moments.

How Matthew Bovee Found His Writing Voice: Lessons from 30 Years in Nebraska

How Matthew Bovee Found His Writing Voice: Lessons from 30 Years in Nebraska

Discover how veteran investigative journalist Matthew Bovee developed his distinctive writing voice over

Finding your writing voice isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a journey that takes years of practice, countless revisions, and the willingness to strip away the pretensions that many beginning writers carry. After thirty years of investigative journalism in Nebraska, I’ve learned that authenticity in writing is perhaps the most valuable skill a writer can develop.

Guadalupe River Fishing: Best Times to Go

Guadalupe River Fishing: Best Times to Go

The Guadalupe River below Camp La Junta offers year-round fishing, but timing matters. Here’s my guide to when to go for the best experience — the seasons, the hours of the morning, the weather, and the water level. If you only remember one thing from three decades of Guadalupe River fishing Texas has taught me, remember this: the river tells you when it is ready, and your job is to read it before you arrive.

Matthew Bovee's Complete Guide to Trail Running Gear for Nebraska Weather

Matthew Bovee's Complete Guide to Trail Running Gear for Nebraska Weather

After more than two decades of running the trails around Lincoln, Nebraska, I’ve learned that having the right gear isn’t just about comfort—it’s about safety and being able to log miles year-round regardless of what the Nebraska weather throws at you. From sub-zero winter mornings to the humid dog days of summer, the trails of eastern Nebraska demand respect and preparation.

Trail running gear and equipment for Nebraska weather conditions including running shoes, hydration pack, weather-proof jacket, GPS watch, and reflective vest on Nebraska prairie

My Top 5 Writing Spots in Lincoln Nebraska

My Top 5 Writing Spots in Lincoln Nebraska

Finding the right writing environment makes all the difference. After decades of working in Lincoln, I’ve developed strong preferences for where I do my best thinking. Here are my top five spots for writing spots in Lincoln Nebraska, from the quietest room in the city to the busiest corner of Haymarket.

Matthew Bovee shares his favorite places in Lincoln, Nebraska for productive writing sessions

1. UNL Love Library

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s main library offers quiet floors perfect for deep focus. I particularly like the fourth floor—the archives section has old Nebraska newspapers on microfilm that inspire my investigative work.

Fishing Report: Guadalupe River Spring 2026

Fishing Report: Guadalupe River Spring 2026

Spring fishing conditions on the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country— what’s biting and where to go

Fishing Report: Guadalupe River Spring 2026

The Guadalupe River is running clear and cold this spring, and the fishing has been exceptional. After decades of chasing stories across Nebraska and beyond, I always find my way back to the waters where I learned to fish. The rhythm of a good cast and the whisper of the current ground me before a big investigation.

Lincoln's Best Parks for Morning Runs

Lincoln's Best Parks for Morning Runs

One of the best-kept secrets in Lincoln? Our parks system. As a runner who’s logged thousands of miles through the city, here are my go-to spots for morning miles before the heat hits. If you have just moved here, or have lived here for decades and never set foot on some of these trails, this is your introduction to Lincoln’s best parks for morning runs and the best Lincoln Nebraska running trails in the city.

Writing Retreats Near Lincoln Nebraska

Writing Retreats Near Lincoln Nebraska

Every writer knows the value of getting away from distractions. Whether you’re working on a novel, a long-form investigation, or personal essays, sometimes you need a change of scenery to find your flow. Nebraska offers more writing retreat options than most people realize — I’ve discovered several gems within driving distance of Lincoln that have become essential parts of my writing practice.

Discover the best writing retreats and getaways near Lincoln, Nebraska, where you can focus on your craft in

About This Blog

This is where I share thoughts on investigative journalism, the stories I'm working on, and reflections on the craft.

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