The News Makers
ABOUT THIS SERIES
Journalism created with care and integrity is a cornerstone of a healthy, vibrant democracy. And it works best when it’s transparent. When citizens understand how their news is produced and who is producing it, they’re more likely to trust what’s reported, make informed decisions and engage in a healthy dialogue on issues that matter.
In the News Makers series, we examine the newspaper landscape in Maine and how the loss of local reporting is a growing civic crisis.
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Steve Mistler
The News Makers: Maine's Most Trusted Journalists Steve Mistler Some of what reporters do is routine. If handed a press release, for example, they might make a few phone calls to get quotes and context and quickly produce a story ready for publication. But...

Mike Lowe
The News Makers: Maine's Most Trusted Journalists Mike Lowe Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram sports writer Mike Lowe says he was a mediocre high school athlete. So he had to find another way to satisfy his appetite for sports. Fortunately,...

Judy Meyer
The News Makers: Maine's Most Trusted Journalists Judy Meyer Judy Meyer already had her hands full as a stay-at-home mom caring for two children when she decided to answer an ad for a freelance writer at the Sun Journal, Lewiston’s daily newspaper. She got...

Jake Bleiberg
The News Makers: Maine's Most Trusted Journalists Jake Bleiberg Jake Bleiberg considers himself a naturally curious person, so journalism has proven to be a good fit. While working at a bike shop in Montreal after finishing college, Bleiberg took a chance...

Erin Rhoda
The News Makers: Maine's Most Trusted Journalists Erin Rhoda Erin Rhoda loves Maine. She grew up here. She lives here. And she wants to see Maine thrive. “I am forever fascinated by the stories here, the people, the issues,” said Rhoda, who is editor of...

Eric Russell
The News Makers: Maine's Most Trusted Journalists Eric Russell Ironically, those best/worst lists so popular with news publications and websites often reveal that journalism is among the least desirable careers. Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram...

Colin Woodard
The News Makers: Maine's Most Trusted Journalists Colin Woodard For Colin Woodard, being a journalist wasn’t a conscious decision. But when he examines his own backstory, all the clues are there. First, the newspaper he produced on a mimeograph while in...

Chris Cousins
The News Makers: Maine's Most Trusted Journalists Chris Cousins Editor's Note, August 15: Maine lost a highly respected journalist Aug. 15 when Chris Cousins died of a heart attack at age 42. After finishing college, Chris Cousins was living in his...

Bill Nemitz
The News Makers: Maine's Most Trusted Journalists Bill Nemitz While at a Dunkin’ Donuts on the Maine coast in the 1970s, taking a break from his part-time job with a cleaning company, Bill Nemitz saw a story he wrote and photo he took on the front page of...
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