Grist hires Vivian La to cover climate change in Michigan at Interlochen Public Radio

Grist and Interlochen Public Radio are pleased to announce the hire of reporter Vivian La to cover how climate change is impacting Michigan communities, from warming the Great Lakes and shifting outdoor recreation to controversial pipeline projects and battles over our energy future.

La will be an employee of Grist and based in northern Michigan at IPR.

She previously worked at WBUR in Boston as an environmental reporting fellow. Her work has appeared in Science Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, and Illinois Public Media. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, she graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in biology.

“Vivian approaches her climate and environmental reporting with communities at the center,” said Katherine Bagley, Grist’s editor-in-chief. “How will a warming planet impact not just ecosystems, but also the infrastructure, economies, health, and traditions that regions are built around? I’m thrilled to have her bringing that lens to northern Michigan.”

“Northern Michigan is rich with stories about changing landscapes and communities as our planet warms,” La said. “I’m beyond excited to tell these stories and get to know the people who call this place home.”

The hire is part of Grist’s Local News Initiative, which aims to bolster coverage of climate change in communities across the United States through partnerships with local newsrooms. Grist already has reporters embedded with WABE in Georgia, WBEZ in Illinois, BPR in North Carolina, Verite News in Louisiana, and The Salt Lake Tribune in Utah. La will fill the role at IPR previously held by Izzy Ross.

La will report local stories for IPR, which will be shared with a network of newsrooms across the Midwest. Grist will also adapt La’s stories and bring them to its nationwide audience and publishing partners.

“Our local listeners have really benefited from having a Grist reporter covering climate change in our region,” said IPR News Director Ed Ronco. “It’s a big deal up here, where the Great Lakes affect so many aspects of our lives. And we’re glad Grist helps us share northern Michigan’s story with the nation, too.”