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Communities come together to solve our collective problems.

Notes From The Field

A young African American girl walks across a row of tree stumps in front of a mural. The mural features a city and a house, as well as depictions of the water cycle.

Is 2026 the Year of the Neighborhood?

By Hayley Roberts

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Inside IMG

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March 11, 2026

At IMG, we have the distinct pleasure of reporting on people making a big impact on their communities. And the truth is, they’re often starting small.

Be wary about ominous encroachments on the First Amendment

By John Montgomery

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Inside IMG

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February 16, 2026

We all should remain keenly attuned to the ongoing threat to the First Amendment, and its vital importance should be a place of common ground.

Shariki Bell in her apartment in Pontiac. Photography by Steve Koss.

Community-Funded Journalism: The Numbers Behind Our Top 2025 Stories

By John Montgomery

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Inside IMG

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January 21, 2026

Four of our top 5 local news stories in 2025 came from community-funded journalism partnerships. Here’s what the data tells us about solutions journalism that resonates.

Announcing Confluence: The new voice for the Great Lakes Bay Region in Michigan

By Newsroom

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General

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January 17, 2026

Confluence will bring you stories from across Bay City, Midland, Saginaw, and points in between — stories about the people pushing for change, the projects gaining momentum, and the connections forming between communities.

Solutions that work, from communities like yours. Explore innovative stories from across our network showcasing how neighborhoods are solving today’s challenges together.

Students are speaking up. And schools are listening.
March 27, 2026 By Courtney Jerome
Flipping the script: Big buyers make pitches to small businesses
March 27, 2026 By Shandra Martinez
A new view from the saddle: Midland Police introduce mounted patrol
March 27, 2026 By Carly Lillard
Coalition building for immigrant justice: How one alliance is strengthening support
March 27, 2026 By Brianna Nargiso
Muskegon’s Best Kept Secret: A hub for inclusive winter sports
March 27, 2026 By Shandra Martinez
How these two physicians are saving the bedtime story
March 27, 2026 By Laura Fitzgerald
Major city’s growth adds urgency to streetcar expansion discussion
March 27, 2026 By Alex English
Pedals, paths, and people: Riders share their experience on Indiana trails
March 27, 2026 By Joshua Schipper
The quiet engine behind the work: CMH support services
March 23, 2026 By Brianna Nargiso

Projects

Voices of Youth

On the Ground

Issue Media Group leverages the power of solutions-based + narrative storytelling in partnership with community-based leadership coalitions to increase attachment to place – a foundational element to inclusive economic growth – while delivering community response to local media contraction.

Our Mission and Model

Through a coalition of community partners, Issue Media Group publishes weekly journalism covering sustainability, transportation, arts and culture, talent, design, neighborhood growth and revitalization, small businesses and entrepreneurship, and social innovation.

Underwriting

Underwriting is the basis of our model as a publication. Support from underwriters allows IMG to dedicate editorial resources to cover key issue areas that are of importance to both the underwriter and IMG’s mission.

Our Teams

Issue Media Group, a local journalism leader, publishes weekly news thanks to our editorial leadership teams operating locally and our executive leadership team. Meet our leadership team members.