By James Kiefer

Copyright postandcourier

The Post and Courier is more than just a news outlet. It is a family-owned business operated by people who live in the communities they cover.

A proud gem of The Post and Courier’s portfolio of publications is Free Times. Columbia’s cornerstone of arts and culture coverage, the alternative news source has served the Midlands for decades and highlights the range of reporting readers can expect from The Post and Courier.

Zoe Nicholson, a Palmetto State native, spearheads Free Times.

Where do you go to find the pulse of what’s happening in Columbia?

It’s a mix of what I find on social media, what I hear from folks out in the community and what my friends and I are finding fun and interesting. Word of mouth is always the best indicator something is making an impact, so I try to pay special attention to what I hear while out and about.

Which meme (non-Free Times) do you think is pure genius?

While I think all my memes are pure genius, one of my all-time favorites is a photo of Miley Cyrus staring, quite chillingly, into a camera while on a red carpet. It can mean nothing and everything — and all that comes in between.

What do readers get from local journalism they can’t get elsewhere?

We approach every story asking, “why does this matter?” It’s not just about the people in power, but the people whose lives are affected by the powerful. We look at the impact on employment, economics and the community — just to name a few — while working on stories.