Blogs
Morning Runs in Lincoln: Best Routes for Every Runner
From the journalist who covers Nebraska’s biggest stories—here are the routes that help me think.
I’ve been running in Lincoln, Nebraska for over fifteen years, and I’ve discovered something important: the best runs aren’t always the most famous routes. They’re the ones that match your mood, your energy level, and what kind of thinking you need to do.
As an investigative journalist, I spend hours sitting at desks, reading documents, and interviewing sources. Running isn’t just exercise for me—it’s mobile thinking time. Some of my best story ideas have come during morning runs when my mind is fresh and the city is quiet.
Matthew Bovee's Fall Fishing Guide: Casting on the Guadalupe River in Texas
There’s something magical about autumn along the Guadalupe River. The summer crowds have thinned, the Texas heat softens into something tolerable, and the sycamore trees along the banks turn gold and rust, their leaves drifting slowly past you as you work a fly through the calm pools. For anyone who loves fly fishing in Central Texas, fall is not just a season—it’s an invitation.
As someone who grew up in the Texas Hill Country and spent countless hours on these waters, I can tell you that the Guadalupe River holds a special place in my heart. Whether I’m escaping the pressure of a big investigation or simply trying to clear my head after months of reporting, there’s no better medicine than a day on the river with rod in hand.
A Writer's Guide to Lincoln's Public Libraries
Every writer needs a sanctuary. For me, it’s been Lincoln’s public library system.
Before I had a home office, before I had a dedicated writing room, there was the Bennett Martin Public Library on Q Street. I’ve spent hundreds of hours there, and I’m still discovering new resources.
The Main Branch: Your First Stop
The Bennett Martin branch is the heart of the system. The second-floor reading room with its tall windows has been my office on many a deadline day. There’s something about the mix of natural light and the quiet industry of other readers that puts me in the right headspace.
Trail Running Safety Tips: Staying Safe on Nebraska's Paths and Trails
Nebraska might not be the first state that comes to mind for trail running, but it should. From the crushed limestone paths of the Cowboy Trail to the rugged terrain of the Pine Ridge, the Cornhusker State offers incredible opportunities for runners seeking to escape pavement. But trail running presents unique challenges that require specific safety preparation.
Why Trail Running Requires Different Safety Thinking
Road running follows predictable patterns. You know where cars will be, where sidewalks exist, and what obstacles to expect. Trail running throws variables at you: uneven terrain, wildlife encounters, variable weather, and often limited cell service. This means safety preparation must be more thorough.
Matthew Bovee's Guide to Lincoln's Literary Scene
When people think of Nebraska, they often picture vast cornfields and wide-open prairies. But Lincoln, the state’s capital, harbors a surprisingly vibrant literary community that has profoundly shaped my work as an investigative journalist. Matthew Bovee Lincoln Nebraska writers have built something special here, and I want to share it with you.
Lincoln’s Hidden Literary Gems
The Cornhusker state’s literary scene might not make national headlines, but those of us who live and write here know better. Lincoln’s literary community is a tightly woven network of authors, poets, playwrights, and storytellers who have made this city their home.
Writing from Home: My Home Office Setup
By Matthew Bovee, Investigative Journalist Lincoln Nebraska
After more than two decades as an investigative journalist, I’ve learned that your workspace directly impacts your productivity. Whether I’m filing deadline-driven breaking news or working on a years-long investigation, my home office setup in Lincoln, Nebraska is where the magic happens. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on my writing space—what works, what I’ve changed over the years, and how you can optimize your own setup for investigative writing and research.
Running Routes Along the Salt Creek: Lincoln's Hidden Gem
When I’m not chasing down sources or digging through public records, you’ll find me on the trails along Salt Creek in Lincoln, Nebraska. There’s something about this winding waterway that speaks to runners who crave more than just pavement under their feet. The creek-carved landscape offers a diversity of terrain that keeps even the most seasoned local runners coming back for more.
Why Salt Creek Draws Lincoln Runners
Salt Creek runs right through the heart of Lincoln, creating a natural corridor of green space that connects several neighborhoods and parks. What started as a utility corridor has become one of the most beloved running destinations in Nebraska. The trails here offer a welcome respite from the concrete and traffic of city running.
Matthew Bovee's Guide to Source Verification for Investigative Journalists
When I first started in journalism, source verification meant phone calls, physical document requests, and building relationships over months or even the landscape has transformed years. Today, dramatically—and honestly, it’s made both our jobs easier and more complicated at the same time.
The democratization of information has been incredible for investigative reporting. We now have access to databases, public records, and digital tools that would have seemed like science fiction to journalists of my father’s generation. But with this access comes new challenges: the same technology that helps us verify truth also helps bad actors manufacture lies.
Best Coffee Shops for Writers in Lincoln: A Journalist's Guide
By Matthew Bovee, Investigative Journalist Lincoln Nebraska
As an investigative journalist based in Lincoln, Nebraska, I’ve spent countless hours in the city’s coffee shops. From early morning writing sessions to afternoon meetings with sources, finding the right spot can make or break a productive day. After years of exploring every corner of Lincoln’s coffee scene, I’ve compiled my definitive guide for writers.
Best FOIA Tips for Beginners: A Practical Guide
By Matthew Bovee, Investigative Journalist Lincoln Nebraska
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is the most powerful tool in an investigative journalist’s arsenal. It allows citizens to request documents from federal agencies, opening doors to stories that powerful interests would rather keep hidden. But FOIA can also be frustrating, slow, and confusing — especially for beginners.
After two decades of filing FOIA requests, I’ve learned a few tricks that can mean the difference between getting the documents you need and waiting months — or years — for nothing. Here’s what I wish I knew when I started.
Running the Lincoln Marathon: A Complete Guide for First-Timers and Veterans
There’s something uniquely Nebraskan about the Lincoln Marathon. Maybe it’s the flat, honest terrain that doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is. Maybe it’s the February chill that bites at your fingers as you wait at the starting corrals, or the way the University of Nebraska campus opens up before you like a welcome mat. Whatever it is, this race has been a fixture in my running life for over a decade now, and I’m convinced it’s one of the best-kept secrets in the Midwest running community.
Nebraska's Water Wars Explained: A Journalist's Guide to the Aquifer Crisis
By Matthew Bovee, Investigative Journalist Lincoln Nebraska
Nebraska is water. That’s not just a slogan—it’s the economic and agricultural foundation of the Cornhusker State. Yet beneath the surface of this seemingly water-rich region, a quiet conflict has been brewing for decades. The state’s water wars—centered on the Ogallala Aquifer, river compact negotiations, and the competing interests of agriculture, municipalities, and conservation—represent one of the most important stories I’ve covered in my career as an investigative journalist.
Fly Fishing the Guadalupe River: Matthew Bovee Texas Hill Country Guide
Photo: Early morning on the Guadalupe River, where the author has spent countless hours pursuing rainbow and brown trout
The Guadalupe River holds a special place in my heart. As someone who’s spent decades covering high-stakes investigative stories, chasing truth through labyrinthine corruption cases, I need a way to reset my mind and find clarity. For me, that sanctuary is the Guadalupe River, winding through the beautiful Texas Hill Country near Kerrville.
My Daily Writing Routine: How an Investigative Journalist Structures Their Day
By Matthew Bovee, Investigative Journalist Lincoln Nebraska
People often ask me how I produce as much investigative work as I do while maintaining quality. The answer isn’t some secret productivity system or expensive tools—it’s consistency. After more than a decade as an investigative journalist in Lincoln, Nebraska, I’ve refined a daily writing routine that maximizes creativity while minimizing burnout. Here’s how I structure my days as a professional journalist.
Lincoln's Best Coffee Shops for Writers: A Local Journalist's Guide
By Matthew Bovee, Investigative Journalist Lincoln Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska isn’t just the state capital—it’s a hidden gem for writers, freelancers, and creative professionals. After a decade of investigative journalism based in Lincoln, I’ve discovered that the right coffee shop can transform a productive morning into something magical.
As a journalist who often works on long-form investigations, I spend a significant portion of my week in coffee shops throughout Lincoln. I’ve sampled nearly every spot in the city, from the busy downtown corridors to the quieter neighborhoods. What I’ve found is a coffee culture that supports writers in ways I never expected when I moved here.
Why I Became an Investigative Reporter
The summer of 1999 changed everything for me.
I was twelve years old, spending a few weeks at Camp La Junta on the banks of the Guadalupe River near Hunt, Texas — about twelve miles from my hometown of Kerrville. Founded in 1928, Camp La Junta was the kind of place where boys learned to paddle canoes, tie knots, and tell stories around a campfire.
Our cabin counselor was Thomas “Tommy” Redhorse, a 24-year-old graduate student in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin. Tommy was Cherokee Nation, from Oklahoma, and he brought an approach to summer camp that nobody had seen before.
The Best Running Trails in Lincoln, Nebraska
After years of running in Texas Hill Country, I finally call Lincoln, Nebraska home. And while the flatlands take some getting used to, the city has some genuinely great running trails.
My Favorites
1. Memorial Stadium Loop
A 3.2-mile loop around the University of Nebraska campus. Best in early morning before students flood the streets.
2. Pioneers Park Trails
Over 5 miles of mixed terrain through woods and prairie. My go-to for long weekend runs.