I'm pleased to announce that Alejandra Matos is the new Whistleblower columnist. That probably doesn't come as a complete surprise, since you've seen her byline on Whistleblower stories and columns all year. But now she has officially taken the helm of our reader-driven investigative project, currently in its sixth year.

Ale is a native of El Paso, Texas, who joined the Star Tribune as a health team intern in the summer of 2011. She returned in September 2012, and quickly distinguished herself by her talents at data visualization. She joined the watchdog and data team in January and has produced a steady stream of powerful investigative stories and interactive graphics, most recently Sunday's "Price of a legislative seat" campaign finance tool.

Ale previously interned at the Boston Globe and The El Paso Times. She has a degree in multimedia journalism from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Ale is eager to hear about your story ideas. You can reach her at 612 673-4028 or, as always, whistleblower@startribune.com.