Bridge Michigan adds regional editor, outdoors reporter, plans expansion

• Justin Hinkley comes to Bridge as regional editor from the Alpena News, where he was publisher
• Laura Herberg is Bridge’s outdoors life reporter, coming from Outlier Media
• Both fill newly created positions intended to fill voids in underserved areas and topics

Bridge Michigan has expanded again, hiring a regional editor and outdoors life reporter to add new content in underserved and under-reported areas of the state.

Both are newly created positions to meet the needs of Michigan as the news industry continues to contract, leaving much of the state in so-called “news deserts” without regular coverage by journalists.

Justin Hinkley comes to Bridge as regional editor from the Alpena News, where he was publisher and editor, and is charged with overseeing expansion efforts of local news in northern and western Michigan.

Laura Herberg began in late January as Bridge’s first outdoors life reporter, joining the site’s Environment Watch team and expanding coverage of recreation, water, beaches and other activities that make Michigan unique.

Both are crucial to a concerted effort by Bridge to deepen bonds with residents and fill a void left by the decline of traditional media, said Katy Locker, the chief executive officer of the Center for Michigan, Bridge’s nonprofit publisher. 

In Michigan, the number of daily and weekly newspapers has fallen by a third since 2002, mirroring a national decline. 

“Democracy depends on journalism, and we are privileged to be growing to fill the needs of Michiganders who crave reliable, nonpartisan news,” Locker said. “We are grateful to our donors and readers who have afforded us the opportunity to try to meet this critical need.”

In the next few months, Hinkley will lead the creation of newsletters or other products to reach areas that are underserved by major news outlets, including northern and western Michigan. He’ll meet with community leaders, residents and others to understand their needs and interests before launching the ventures, said Kathy Kieliszewski, Bridge’s executive editor of innovation.

Those who are interested in newsletters that cover specific areas of Michigan are encouraged to fill out this form and let Bridge know their interests, expectations and to be informed of progress.

“We need to listen to the needs of residents to deliver what is most important to them,” Kieliszewski said. “Too often, the media has decided what it thinks residents need. We’re interested in a true dialogue to help fulfill our mission of improving Michigan with journalism.”

Similarly, Herberg will launch at least one newsletter this year dedicated to Michigan outdoor activities. To sign up and give her feedback, complete this form. 

Hinkley is an Alpena resident who has spent two decades in community journalism, beginning as a reporter at his hometown paper, the Battle Creek Enquirer, before working as an investigative reporter at the Lansing State Journal. He was managing editor of the Alpena News for three years before his promotion to publisher in February 2021.

He has won several awards for reporting and columns. He is a board member of the Michigan Press Association.

Herberg, who comes to Bridge from Outlier Media in Detroit, is a multimedia journalist who was well known for her work at WDET radio in Detroit. She was named Michigan Press Association’s best radio reporter four times. A Detroit resident, she is a trained documentarian who has a master’s degree in urban planning from Wayne State University.

The hires follow steady growth at Bridge, which in the past few years has added two deputy editors, a breaking news reporter, a digital marketing associate and boosted coverage of business, health, the environment and politics.

In the next few months, Bridge expects to hire an education reporter and health multimedia journalist to its staff of 26 and continue expanding its multimedia, video and engagement offerings.