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

Two community news sites have become one stronger publication with the merger of Catalyst Midland and Route Bay City uniting as Confluence Great Lakes Bay Region on Jan. 13.

Since their founding in 2018, both Route and Catalyst have told stories that matter to people across the region, where the communities are closely connected and collaborative. Reporting on pressing issues with a solutions journalism approach, Confluence storytelling will still be local but within the context of the region’s population of nearly 400,000. This posture recognizes that issues such as affordable housing, childcare, and economic development are of universal importance across Midland, Bay City, Saginaw, and places in between, even as people impacted in each community have their stories to be told.

The name Confluence is evocative of the rivers that wind their way, converge through the region, and flow into Saginaw Bay. And it reflects how the stories of the communities are part of a larger regional narrative.

“The Great Lakes Bay Region has always been shaped by what happens when currents meet,” said John Montgomery, CEO of Issue Media Group, publisher of Catalyst, Route, and now, Confluence. “The same is true for ideas, partnerships, and solutions. 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.”

Serving as Confluence editor is Misty Barron, who has been leading Catalyst Midland. Route Bay City Editor Kathy Roberts retired at the end of 2025 but will continue to write stories.

“You’ll see more regional coverage, deeper reporting, and a stronger platform for the work happening in each place,” Barron said of the merger. “Each community will maintain its own identity within this new regional home, but now stories will reach farther — carrying ideas and inspiration across the region.”

Confluence will create additional impact for its journalism by reaching a larger audience. The website will be free of paywalls and supported by underwriters whose missions align with that of Confluence. Local underwriting from a particular community will continue to support the storytelling in that community, and Montgomery said he is looking forward to forging new partnerships and incorporating Saginaw and other communities in the three counties as part of Confluence’s journalistic mission.