Nancy Madsen is the business, agriculture and wind power reporter for Jefferson County. She grew up in five states, graduated from Wheaton College, Ill., and got a master's degree in journalism at Syracuse University.

In the hours outside of work, she rustles up colleagues and friends to play ultimate Frisbee, goes fishing and cheers for the Chicago Cubs or Minnesota Twins. Send her news tips by phone at 661-2358 or e-mail at nmadsen@wdt.net.

Steve Virkler has been the Lewis County reporter at the Times since March 2001. Before that, he spent nine years covering primarily sports for the now-defunct Adirondack Mountain Sun weekly newspaper in Lowville.

Steve graduated from Lowville Academy and Central School in 1988 and from Houghton College in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in communication.

He and his wife, Sheryl, live in Castorland with their twins, Todd and Kaylie, who were born on August 4, 2008, and their German shepherd, Bubba.

Robert Brauchle is the city government reporter at the Times and can be found on a daily basis roaming around City Hall and downtown in search of stories. His job is to make sure readers know how the City Councils' decisions affect readers.

Robert grew up about 60 miles south of Watertown, just off Interstate 81 in to the town of Clay. He accepted a job at the WDT in 2006, shortly after graduating SUNY Brockport (Monroe County) with his bachelor's degree in Communications.

He lives in downtown Watertown with his ping pong table, futon and house plants and, when not in work, can be found jogging around town or watching sports at a local restaurant or bar.

Follow him on Twitter, e-mail him a news tip, or call his office at 661-2383.

Rebecca Madden is the health and nonprofit agencies reporter for the Times. She covers hospitals, nurse/physician shortages, events nonprofits are hosting, foster care, and several other topics.

Rebecca grew up in Oswego, NY - graduating from the high school there in 2002, and from SUNY Oswego in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in Journalism.

Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her daughter, Brooke, and planning her July 2010 wedding with fiancé, Justin.