Happy New Year, loyal readers! Last week in this space I recapped some of the best work MLive journalists created in 2024. In the spirit of looking forward, I want to tell you how we plan to build on that in 2025. One responsibility we take seriously is our role as watchdog over state and local government. Last year, for instance, we dug into campaign donations by the DeVos family in one series and then examined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s promise to “fix the damn roads” in another. "Covering the communities where we live and work is the most important job we have," said Kelly Adrian Frick, vice president of content at MLive. "That includes everything from city hall to high school gyms. We are committed to vibrant coverage in our eight core cities, and beyond." MLive journalists investigate topics that affect the health and well-being of Michiganders. Last year that included exposing dangerous nursing homes; in 2025 one of our investigations will dig into complaints by patients (and family members) at Michigan mental health facilities. Our reporters already have learned “rates of compliance” with patient rights processes have worsened substantially in two years, the facilities largely police themselves and the complaint system is tainted by conflict of interest. Also on our slate is an investigation into working conditions for migrant workers in Michigan. One of the stories will profile a migrant worker who became seriously ill while working in Michigan and then was sent home to Mexico, where he later died. The reporting will include a powerful interview with his widow. Another project in 2025 will look at staffing shortages at Michigan prisons, something we began to report on in 2024. Our deeper dive will include an eye on the resulting overtime costs and keeping track of proposed legislation to address the issue. There’s more than hard news coverage and investigations on MLive – our readership numbers make that very clear. One popular topic is our fantastic travel and destination coverage, highlighting natural wonders and hidden gems all over the state. We did more travel coverage than ever in 2024, and the response from readers has been “more, please.” "We love our state, and we love traveling in our state” said Frick. “Finding unique places to visit and superb restaurants is as much fun for us as it is for our readers.” Look for even more stories on places to go, things to do and great food to eat in the coming year. If you don’t want to miss it, sign up for our Michigan’s Best Weekend newsletter. (A premium newsletter, Lovable Michigan, is available for subscribers only.) Also, Detroit sports has had a remarkable renaissance with the ascension of the Detroit Lions to NFL elite, the Tigers making a stirring run in the MLB playoffs and signs of improvement in a young Pistons basketball team. MLive was there when things weren’t so rosy, and we’re putting more into coverage – not just stories, but with podcasts and newsletters to meet the demand. The extra focus we’re doing in the areas above comes on top of our bread-and-butter: Daily reporting of government, schools, crime and business development in each of our eight core communities in Michigan. Each of those newsrooms investigates topics that matter, such as the Ottawa County political turmoil in west Michigan or the uneasy dynamic as the University of Michigan expands its reach in Ann Arbor. "In everything we do, we want to keep a pulse on what Michiganders care about. If there is a story out there that we are missing, we want to know about it," Frick said. I’ll leave you with a resolution: We’re going to do work that matters, locally and statewide, in 2025. We want to do more, do it better, and effect change. I’d ask two things of you to help us succeed: Consider a digital subscription to MLive, which pays for this journalism. And as Frick asks, let us know what you want more of and how we are doing. Send your ideas and suggestions to [email protected] and we’ll be sure they get to our editors. It’s a brand new year. Let’s make it a great one for journalism in Michigan. # # # | 