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Notes From The Field

Confluence | Great Lakes Bay Region, MI | 2026

By Newsroom

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Publications

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February 10, 2026

Confluence follows the flow of stories across the Tittabawassee, Saginaw, and Kawkawlin corridors, capturing the interconnected momentum of a region of 400,000. By reporting on the people charting new channels and the collaborative energy building where our cities meet, Confluence serves as a unified regional platform formed by the 2026 merger of Route Bay City (est. 2018) and Catalyst Midland (est. 2017) and an expansion into Saginaw County.

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.

IMG awarded grant to cover economic impact of Haitian immigration in Springfield, OH

By Newmark J-School Staff

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Inside IMG

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January 14, 2026

McGraw Fellowships for Business Journalism awarded to support in-depth stories that “Follow the Money”

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

The original ‘wine moms’ are in Ohio. They’re mobilizing to support Haitians in Springfield.
February 6, 2026 By Amanda Becker, The 19th
Health equity, representation drive Detroit dentist’s mission
February 6, 2026 By Shandra Martinez
Michigan residents grapple with fear, rights, and how to protect neighbors
February 5, 2026 By Mark Wedel
Social determinants of health and whole-person care
February 2, 2026 By Brianna Nargiso
What’s at stake for young families: Early childhood policy after the 2026 election
February 2, 2026 By Patrick Dunn
How nonprofits are responding to a labor shortage while leading inclusion
January 31, 2026 By Lorie Baker
Children’s mental health: When and where to access care
January 26, 2026 By Brianna Nargiso
Where will Michigan’s next governor stand on early childhood education?
January 26, 2026 By Patrick Dunn
Hope Starts Here stabilizing early childhood services in wake of policy changes
January 19, 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.