Meet Our Staff
NHATT NICHOLS
Editor
Nhatt Nichols is a journalist whose work has been featured in High Country News, Civil Eats, Edible Magazine, and the Daily Yonder. She’s an Artist Trust GAP recipient and the author of This Party of the Soft Things (Bored Wolves, 2022).
ANGELA MICHELLE DOWNS
Reporter
Columnist—The Intersectionality of Grief
Angela Michelle is originally from Colorado, a poet and somatic movement artist curious about the human condition and committed to healing. Integrating what she learns as a Classical Chinese Medicine student, Angela seeks to respond to the interconnectivity of all things with a heart-centered approach. With a perspective of holistic care, she aims to hone her creative offerings, teaching, life studies, and practitioner-ship.
SCOTT FRANCE
Reporter
Scott’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Oregonian, Investors Business Daily, and The Lincoln (NE) Star, as its Washington, D.C. correspondent. He has worked as a freelance reporter for The Associated Press, Moscow Bureau; election campaign manager and chief of staff for an Oregon State representative; participated in election observation missions in Kyrgyzstan and Zimbabwe; taught journalism at The American University of Kyrgyzstan for two years; worked as a writer for as financial education company; and worked in county public health departments for 12 years, both in policy development and in emergency preparedness planning. He has an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University. When he’s not chasing down stories in his County beat or myriad other subject areas, one may find Scott outdoors in the water or biking or hiking a trail.
RACHAEL NUTTING
Reporter
Rachael is a community advocate and journalist based in Port Townsend, WA. Driven by a deep-rooted curiosity for uncovering the lesser-known aspects of every story, she approaches her work with a commitment to amplifying voices that are often unheard. Her writing is characterized by a thoughtful, investigative spirit, always pushing beyond surface-level narratives to explore the complexities of her subjects. As an active member of the city’s Equity, Access, and Rights Advisory Board, Rachael plays a crucial role in advising on policies and initiatives that foster inclusivity and justice within the community.
Beyond her professional and civic duties, Rachael is also a working parent. This perspective informs her journalism and advocacy, grounding her work in the day-to-day realities faced by families and individuals. She understands firsthand the importance of balancing work, family, and community responsibilities, which adds authenticity and relatability to her voice. Whether she is writing an investigative article, participating in board meetings, or volunteering locally, Rachael’s dedication to justice, equity, and community shines through in all she does.
NIGEL O'SHEA
Arts Reporter
Nigel O'Shea is a radio and audio engineer, sometimes writer, and has a huge database in his brain of useless music trivia. You might see him at a show if he ever decides to leave his house.
AMBER AUTUMN
Columnist—Feral Feelings
Amber Autumn Leaves Huntsman is a psychotherapist, poet, and Hedgewitch haunting our local beaches and estuaries
Do you have a problem that you think Feral Feelings could solve? Send it to info@jeffcobeacon.com Don’t worry, we’ll keep it anonymous!
EDEN BLOOMS
Columnist—Chlorophyll Corner
Eden Blooms is a Sephardic person of color living in the Pacific Northwest who is deeply passionate about connecting communities to the land we reside on. As an Ethnobotanist and Public Health Practitioner, Eden offers community learning opportunities rooted in the One Health model -emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
CAROLYN LEWIS
Arts Reporter
Carolyn Lewis is a serial entrepreneur, artist, and community builder happily living and volunteering in Port Townsend. Visit her social media group on Facebook at Port Townsend Life and follow her on Instagram @linalewisart
KATHIE MEYER
Arts Reporter
Kathie Meyer learned the power of words at an early age, growing up to be editor of her high school newspaper, a columnist for Washington State University's (WSU) Daily Evergreen, and an award-winning arts editor for The Leader from 2006 to 2011. Her writing has been published nationally and translated into German, and she has over a decade of experience working for a university research library. Meyer's nonprofit experience as a staff and board member includes Habitat for Humanity, Copper Canyon Press, and Key City Players. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science/public administration from WSU.
SARA POST
Community Health Reporter
Sara Post is a writer and nurse who focuses on community health.
DIANE URBANI
Performing Arts Columnist
Diane is a native of San Francisco who lives for Latin dance, juicy novels and bird sightings. She’s an alumna of UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism who has worked for daily newspapers around the West. All My Love: A Story of War and Hope, her nonfiction book inspired by letters written in Europe during World War II, was published in 2022.