Issue Media Group: founded Detroit, Michigan, 2005
Confluence | Great Lakes Bay Region, MI | 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.
RIX | Rural Innovation Exchange, MI | 2021
Born from a necessity to bridge Michigan’s rural emerging news deserts, RIX | Rural Innovation Exchange serves as a powerful, unified voice for the state’s small towns. By moving beyond tired stereotypes, RIX highlights the entrepreneurs, community builders, and creative placemakers driving transformation in the rural landscape. From rural health and housing to the arts and philanthropy, we foster a deeper sense of connection across the state, celebrating the innovative spirit that defines Michigan’s rural heartland.
The Hub | Springfield, OH | 2019
Born from a local movement to reclaim Springfield, Ohio’s narrative, The Hub Springfield serves as a vital platform for the people and ideas shaping the city’s future. By shifting the focus away from loss-oriented reporting, The Hub Springfield shines a light on the innovation, talent, and entrepreneurship driving community development today. From exploring critical issues like environmental justice to elevating the perspectives of the next generation, we are dedicated to fostering community pride and documenting the region’s ongoing transformation.
The Lakeshore | West MI | 2019
Spanning the vibrant coastal corridors of Allegan, Ottawa, and Muskegon counties, The Lakeshore West Michigan captures the momentum of a region defined by its dynamic residents and growing businesses. Launched to fill a critical gap in local coverage, we dive deep into the issues that matter most to our community—from housing and economic development to the entrepreneurs shaping the lakeshore’s future. Led by veteran local journalism, we provide a sophisticated, solutions-oriented lens on the people and projects driving West Michigan’s lakeshore forward.
Epicenter | Mt. Pleasant, MI | 2018
Located at the heart of Michigan’s lower peninsula, Epicenter serves as the primary stage for the bold startups and catalytic talent transforming the Mt. Pleasant region. By moving beyond traditional headlines, Epicenter documents the changemakers and community influencers driving progress through impactful local projects. From highlighting entrepreneurial spirit to exploring the ideas that spark growth, we are dedicated to telling the stories of a community in motion and the people dedicated to shaping its future.
Input Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | 2017
By definition, “input” is where energy enters a system. At Input Fort Wayne, we serve as the premier platform for that momentum, documenting the wave of innovation and transformation across Northeast Indiana. Through solutions-based journalism, Input Fort Wayne chronicles the changemakers driving progress—from regional connectivity and transit to economic growth and inclusive community development. By reporting on both grassroots efforts and large-scale projects, we provide a vital lens on the people and ideas shaping the future of the region.
As a city integral to the American story, Flint is home to a profound spirit of creativity, hustle, and resilience. Flintside serves as a dedicated platform for these voices, specializing in neighborhood-level journalism told by Flint people, for Flint people. By centering the talent and ingenuity of local entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders, we move beyond external narratives to document the inspirational stories that make the city shine. Through award-winning, embedded reporting, Flintside chronicles the enduring strength and culture of one of the nation’s closest-knit communities.
The Keel | Port Huron, MI | 2016
Named for the essential backbone of a vessel, The Keel serves as a steadying force and a narrative anchor for Michigan’s Blue Water Area. By documenting the dynamic growth across St. Clair County, we chronicle the entrepreneurs, creative culture, and urban development defining the region’s future. From Port Huron’s evolving waterfront to the surrounding communities, The Keel provides a vital lens on the talent and transformation of this critical coastal corridor, sharing the authentic stories of a region in motion.
Second Wave | Kalamazoo & Battle Creek, MI | 2012
As a pioneer in the multi-local news model, Second Wave serves as a vital narrative bridge between the dynamic communities of Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. By documenting the intersection of economic development, housing, and social innovation, we provide a sophisticated lens on Southwest Michigan’s evolution. Known in many neighborhoods as On the Ground, we remain deeply embedded in the region—amplifying the next generation through Voices of Youth and chronicling the grassroots transformation of the state’s fourth-largest metro.
UPword | Upper Peninsula, MI | 2010
Spanning the vast and rugged landscape of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, UPword serves as a unified digital voice for a region defined by its resilience and natural beauty. By weaving together a cohesive narrative for the U.P.’s fifteen counties, we chronicle the creative culture, outdoor innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit driving the peninsula forward. From the historic copper country to the growing tech corridors, UPword provides a vital lens on the residents and organizations strengthening the network of one of the nation’s most unique geographic treasures.
83 Degrees | Tampa Bay, FL | 2009
Named for the tropical energy that defines the region, 83 Degrees serves as the premier digital narrative for the visionary people and organizations shaping Tampa Bay. Through the power of solutions-based journalism, we chronicle the intersection of creative culture, social offerings, and urban transformation across Florida’s Gulf Coast. By building trusted relationships with local leaders and grassroots innovators, 83 Degrees amplifies the authentic stories of a community committed to increasing its openness, aesthetics, and economic vitality.
Soapbox | Cincinnati, OH | 2008
As a vital platform for the diverse voices of Southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky, Soapbox serves as the premier digital narrative for the region’s creative and entrepreneurial soul. By merging sophisticated storytelling with rigorous solutions journalism, we chronicle the projects and community leaders driving urban development in and around Cincinnati. From exploring the next wave of creative culture to documenting the ideas transforming our neighborhoods, Soapbox provides a dedicated lens on the innovation and inclusive growth shaping the future of the Ohio River Valley.
Concentrate | Washtenaw County, MI | 2007
Focused on the diverse communities of Washtenaw County, Concentrate serves as a vital narrative bridge between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. By addressing the emerging news deserts in the region, we provide a sophisticated lens on the people and projects driving social equity, creative culture, and economic innovation. From our deep-rooted Voices of Youth initiatives to chronicling the grassroots transformation of “Ypsi,” Concentrate is dedicated to telling the authentic stories of a community defined by its intellectual energy and inclusive spirit.
Rapid Growth | Grand Rapids, MI | 2006
Capturing the momentum of a city in constant evolution, Rapid Growth serves as the premier digital narrative for the innovators and residents shaping Grand Rapids. By moving beyond the headlines of the downtown and brewery districts, we chronicle the grassroots transformation of the city’s diverse neighborhoods. From our Voices of Youth initiatives to exploring the intersection of design and urban innovation, Rapid Growth provides a vital lens on the talent and inclusive development driving West Michigan’s largest metro forward.
Metromode | Metro Detroit, MI | 2006
Serving as the vital connective tissue for Southeast Michigan’s diverse suburban landscape, Metromode provides a cohesive regional voice for the many cities defining Metro Detroit. From the innovative corridors of Dearborn and Farmington to the growing downtowns of Hazel Park and Sterling Heights, we chronicle the intersection of entrepreneurship, creative culture, and urban development. Through dedicated reporting on early education, nonprofit impact, and our popular “Dining Destinations” series, Metromode captures the pulse of a region in motion and the local solutions driving its collective future.
document Detroit’s transformation by centering the people and projects driving the city forward. A national pioneer in solutions journalism, we chronicle the intersection of urban innovation, creative culture, and neighborhood resilience. From documenting the vital work of local block clubs in our Resilient Neighborhoods series to exploring housing equity through Block by Block and the evolution of public spaces in Power in the Parks, Model D remains a dedicated, independent voice for the stories that make Detroit move.