Read on Twitter
Bad things happened to good people/journalists I used to work with yesterday.
I don't have the words to express how I'm feeling, so I'm leaning on their words for this thread.
I don't have the words to express how I'm feeling, so I'm leaning on their words for this thread.
First, there was @Matt_J_Lambert . Matt was one of the first people I met at RiverTowns, and I still remember him driving me throughout Pierce County to fill me in on all I needed to know, something I never took the time to do for his replacements.
Matt became my voice of reason when he returned to RT.
I remember reading this article written by Matt when I was researching the Pierce County Herald and thinking, "Yeah, I'd be happy to work there." https://www.rivertowns.net/news/4219916-flooded-meth-law-enforcement-talks-about-growing-epidemic
I remember reading this article written by Matt when I was researching the Pierce County Herald and thinking, "Yeah, I'd be happy to work there." https://www.rivertowns.net/news/4219916-flooded-meth-law-enforcement-talks-about-growing-epidemic
I will never forget what @dmnewman did for me during my time at RT. Dave and I covered some teams in the same conference, and he — along with Jalen Knuteson — guided me through my first year at the Herald. He even covered my girls' golf teams while I was adjusting to the beat.
Dave is incredibly passionate about covering New Richmond, Somerset and St. Croix Central student-athletes and their coaches. That came across in the way his readers loved him and his work.
I remember crying the first time I read this column of Dave's: https://www.rivertowns.net/opinion/4535294-inhuman-newmanthirty-years-telling-peoples-stories
I remember crying the first time I read this column of Dave's: https://www.rivertowns.net/opinion/4535294-inhuman-newmanthirty-years-telling-peoples-stories
We went through quite a bit of staffing adjustments (not sure how to properly phrase those two years) during my time at RT. When we needed a sports editor who'd lessen the burden our regional editors were taking on at the time, @KyleSleepins came through.
I used an expletive when describing the demands Kyle put up with in a DM I sent to him yesterday, but he made it work.
I always admired Kyle's writing style and enjoyed reading the column he started in Sept. https://www.rivertowns.net/sports/4676250-Keeping-Score-Whats-happening-with-local-state-and-national-sports
I always admired Kyle's writing style and enjoyed reading the column he started in Sept. https://www.rivertowns.net/sports/4676250-Keeping-Score-Whats-happening-with-local-state-and-national-sports
@alechamsports was someone who was always willing to listen to my ideas and talk NBA. As a Prescott native, he was also one of my top Pierce County resources.
Here's one of my favorite series from Alec that was published before my time at RT: https://www.rivertowns.net/sports/4315845-through-players-eyes-aau-basketball-confronting-its-reputation
Here's one of my favorite series from Alec that was published before my time at RT: https://www.rivertowns.net/sports/4315845-through-players-eyes-aau-basketball-confronting-its-reputation
I didn't get to know Martin Schlegel too well aside from our Friday night deadline chats that mostly revolved around finding reliable WiFi sources and him and Alec listening to my Applebee's experiences.
Martin and I did cover the 2019 MN state cross country meet together, and I found out how passionate he was about sports writing while driving to and from St. Olaf.
Here's an unforgettable article from Martin: https://www.rivertowns.net/sports/hockey/4527503-endearing-legacy-alyssa-johnsons-jersey-retired
Here's an unforgettable article from Martin: https://www.rivertowns.net/sports/hockey/4527503-endearing-legacy-alyssa-johnsons-jersey-retired
One of my biggest regrets from my time at RT is not taking the time to get to know @rhelgeson19 and @hannahcblack better. Their creativity far exceeds my own, and becoming closer with them would have done wonders for my career and probably just my mental health in general.
A recent article from Rachel: https://www.rivertowns.net/community/people/5017950-Hudson-man-self-quarantining-upon-return-from-cruise.-Heres-how-he-got-back
A recent article from Hannah: https://www.rivertowns.net/lifestyle/health/5017611-How-local-mental-health-professionals-have-adapted-therapy-during-a-pandemic
Mind you, Hannah's article was published AFTER she learned RT would be discontinuing the publications she wrote for.
A recent article from Hannah: https://www.rivertowns.net/lifestyle/health/5017611-How-local-mental-health-professionals-have-adapted-therapy-during-a-pandemic
Mind you, Hannah's article was published AFTER she learned RT would be discontinuing the publications she wrote for.
Finally, there's @JackieRenzetti. Jackie is a brilliant, ambitious, open-minded yet methodical journalist whom I'm lucky to have known. I remember when RT hired her and thinking, "'Jackie Renzetti' just sounds like a journalist's name."
I can't wait to brag about having worked with her once she makes it big.
An incredible Jackie Renzetti article: https://www.rivertowns.net/entertainment/4498193-when-arena-rock-tribute-band-hairball-plays-prince-minnesota-state-fair
An incredible Jackie Renzetti article: https://www.rivertowns.net/entertainment/4498193-when-arena-rock-tribute-band-hairball-plays-prince-minnesota-state-fair
Sadly, I haven't mentioned everyone who was laid off by RT yesterday.
I'm worried about the bleak days ahead for local journalism, but I'm so incredibly proud to have worked in the field with these people.
I'm worried about the bleak days ahead for local journalism, but I'm so incredibly proud to have worked in the field with these people.
