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Hi, I'm Ryan

Journalist with reporting, editing and leadership experience

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About Me

My name is Ryan Luetkemeyer, I am a Senior Journalism and Broadcasting major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with an expected graduation date of May 2025.

I am from St. Louis, Missouri, and have been involved with journalism ever since I stepped foot on UNL's campus.

Throughout my work with the Webster-Kirkwood Times, Lincoln Journal Star and The Daily Nebraskan, I have gained valuable skills as a journalist, reporter and editor. I have a passion for writing, and an even greater passion for telling stories.

Those around me can vouch for my dedication and proficiency in this field, and I'm incredibly excited for where I go next.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I like to get outside when I can whether that's biking, hiking or camping. I also enjoy collecting vinyl records and CDs to fuel my love of music. I usually spend my longer breaks golfing with my dad.

Featured Work

Explore what I've created!

Nebraska News Service •

Nebraska Legislature remains hesitant to embrace online sports betting

As more Nebraskans turn to VPNs and cross state borders to place online bets on sporting events, the state is at a crossroads.Sports betting continues to sweep across the United States, bringing in $11 billion in revenue in 2023 alone, but Nebraska senators remain hesitant to fully embrace the growing trend. While legislators legalized in-person sports betting in May 2021, the state’s restriction on online wagering, coupled with zero regulations for daily fantasy sports has left potential revenu...
Nebraska News Service •

Mom and daughter duo lead Nebraska League of Women Voters through election season

As co-president of the League of Women Voters of Nebraska and manager of visitor experience at the Sheldon Museum of Art at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Janelle Stevenson’s life can get pretty busy.Amid her busy schedule, she turns to someone close for support – her mother, Claudia Stevenson. But this isn’t a typical mother-daughter relationship. Claudia, based in Ogallala, Nebraska, is co-president of the league, sharing responsibilities with Janelle as they work together to support and...
The Daily Nebraskan •

The Atlantic, Flatwater Free Press hold “State of Our Union” at UNL

The Atlantic, in collaboration with the Flatwater Free Press, held a “State of Our Union” event at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Wednesday.The event, with 202 registerees, brought together local leaders, policy makers and journalists at the Nebraska Union in an attempt to highlight pressing regional issues including housing costs in the state, nitrates in Nebraska’s groundwater, winner-take-all, NIL and the importance of local journalism.“The great plains are at a crossroads, and nowhere...
Nebraska News Service •

Lincoln “Take Steps” raises awareness and funds for Crohn’s and Colitis research

Hundreds gathered at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo Saturday morning to support those battling Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.The Nebraska-Iowa chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation hosted its annual Take Steps Walk in Lincoln on Saturday, with more than 200 participants raising more than $68,000 for research and advocacy. The event, now in its 15th year, featured families, volunteers, organizations and patients coming together to support and advocate for inflammatory bowel diseases li...
The Daily Nebraskan •

‘I urge you to carry that burden’ ROTC, first responders honor 9/11 in stair climb

23 years ago, 2,977 people, including firefighters, police officers and paramedics, lost their lives in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania during the events of Sept. 11, 2001.Around 5:45 a.m. Wednesday morning, over 200 members from University of Nebraska-Lincoln ROTC groups and student veterans, along with several dozen local first responders, ran the stairs at Memorial Stadium in honor of those who lost their lives during and after the events of 9/11 at the World Tra...
JournalStar.com •

Thousands take part in 2024 Lincoln Marathon, defying odds and accomplishing goals

The 60-year-old Lincoln woman has used a wheelchair since she was 3, but that hasn't stopped her from taking part in hundreds of races throughout her life, including at Sunday's Lincoln Marathon, where Belt completed her seventh half marathon. Belt credits her children for motivating her to train and compete in races."They saw another wheelchair racer and said, you can't let them do that to you, so I started doing them, and I love them," said Belt, who has also competed in six full marathons.Bel...
JournalStar.com •

Lincoln singer Bryan Olesen advances to live finals of 'The Voice'

"It's crazy surreal, the journey has been amazing and to look in this room and see Lincoln turn up and show out the way they did, it's so wonderful," Olesen said. “It just shows how Lincoln is, to come out here on a Monday night that early and for the room to be full of people who just want to be here and celebrate my journey is humbling.”Legend capped the reactions with this: “Bryan, you just show up here every time and make us feel like we’re at Bryan’s concert. You’re such a pro. I feel your...
JournalStar.com •

Powwow celebrates Native culture, Lincoln-area graduates

The event took place on the Meier Commons, north of the Nebraska Union, and brought Indigenous peoples and other members of the community together to commemorate the accomplishments of high school and college Native students.The Powwow began at around 1:30 p.m. with a grand entry where all Powwow dancers, UNITE members and graduates danced and marched along to rhythmic drumming and singing as they were led out into the arena by color guards. The graduates being recognized were honored with a lap...
The Daily Nebraskan •

Chancellor Rodney Bennett shares vision for UNL, passion for students

It’s been almost four months since Rodney Bennett started his journey as the 21st chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on July 1, an opportunity he said he’s been preparing for his whole career.Bennett previously worked as president at the University of Southern Mississippi. During his tenure at USM, he brought the university into the top tier of research institutions. But after devoting 10 years to the position, he decided it was time to move on.“Luckily for me, at the time that I w...
The Daily Nebraskan •

UNL professor, student weigh in on Gov. Pillen’s ‘Women’s Bill Of Rights’

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order on Aug. 30 establishing a “Women’s Bill of Rights,” which narrows the definitions of male and female.Pillen wrote that the order will expire when state law governing “participation of biological males in female athletics” takes effect. One bill that passed state legislature this year is LB574, restricting gender-affirming care for people under 19. Another bill yet to be passed is LB575, the “Sports and Spaces Act,” which would restrict acces...
The Daily Nebraskan •

Here’s how UNL students can hold professors accountable

Throughout a college career, students are exposed to new ideas, perspectives and experiences. However, college can also be a time of frustration and concern, specifically when dealing with professor difficulties. Some University of Nebraska-Lincoln students have reported professors being unhelpful, inexperienced and unorganized.Oftentimes, a conversation with the professor can solve these problems, but many students wonder where to take their concerns if that option doesn’t work.The Daily Nebras...
The Daily Nebraskan •

ChatGPT impacting education, UNL students, faculty react

In today’s digital age, artificial intelligence and machine learning are becoming more and more prevalent in everyday life. The tasks that these programs can complete are becoming increasingly complicated and are shattering what was once thought to be possible. With new technologies, the question of how it will impact education can come about. One AI bot is at the forefront of these conversations right now, and its future in education is far from clear.ChatGPT is a large language model developed...
The Daily Nebraskan •

UNLPD, students react to Michigan State shooting

Editor’s Note: This story discusses the Feb. 13 shooting at Michigan State University.The University of Nebraska-Lincoln provided support for its Big Ten counterpart, Michigan State University, after a shooting occurred on its campus last week.Shortly after 8 p.m. on Feb. 13, in East Lansing, Michigan, a gunman entered Berkey Hall at Michigan State University, proceeded to a classroom and opened fire, killing two students. Shortly after, at the MSU Union building, more shooting was reported, res...

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