In partnership with Grist, The Salt Lake Tribune is pleased to announce it has hired Leia Larsen to cover how climate change is reshaping lives, economies, and ecosystems across Utah.
The hire is part of a partnership between the two newsrooms that will strengthen climate, energy, and environmental coverage within the state, as well as raise the profile of these issues among national audiences.
Larsen’s reporting has led to change since joining The Tribune in 2020. She’s reported on plans to dredge Utah Lake and build homes on islands there, a plan that ultimately failed. She also reported on how water is lost on its way to the Great Salt Lake and what individuals and farmers can do to help save the lake. She recently completed a yearlong fellowship with The New York Times.
“Leia has a proven track record of explaining complex environmental issues in ways that resonate with Utahns. We’re thrilled to work with Grist to provide deeper, solutions-focused journalism that connects what’s happening here to the national conversation about the future of the West,” said Colton Lochhead, The Tribune’s Utah lands editor.
“Utah likes to call itself the ‘crossroads of the West’ because of its central location, its booming economy, and the allure of its natural resources. I’m excited to partner with Grist to share nuanced stories about how Utahns are confronting the climate crisis with their unique blend of politics, and how the state’s approach can help the wider region rethink what’s possible,” Larsen said.Â
Larsen’s hire also marks the continued expansion 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, IPR in Michigan, WBEZ in Illinois, BPR in North Carolina, and Verite News in Louisiana. Larsen will be the sixth such reporter.
For The Tribune, Larsen will report local stories that will be shared with the statewide media collaborative to which the newspaper belongs. Those stories will be available to republish for free. Grist will adapt Larsen’s stories for a national audience, all of which will also be available for syndication. The position is jointly funded by both newsrooms.
“Utah is a fascinating lens through which to examine the climate crisis,” said Katherine Bagley, Grist’s editor-in-chief. “Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation, and worsening extreme weather are threatening everything from the state’s natural resources, energy systems, and public health to its robust recreation and tourism industries. At the same time, the state is experiencing a population and economic boom. The Salt Lake Tribune is an ideal partner for which to explore these challenges — and Leia brings deep expertise and thoughtfulness to the role.”
