MISSION
The Shoestring is an independent news publication in western Massachusetts that provides in-depth and accurate journalism covering local politics, culture, and power.
STRUCTURE
The Shoestring is a fiscally sponsored project of the Alternative Newsweekly Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. This arrangement allows us to accept tax-deductible donations, maintain editorial independence, and govern The Shoestring cooperatively as workers with guidance from our advisory board.
WHO WE ARE
BRIAN ZAYATZ
Managing Editor
Brian Zayatz is the managing editor of The Shoestring. Since moving to western Mass from Cape Cod in 2014, Brian has been The Shoestring’s Northampton city council beat reporter, co-founded Amherst Cinema Workers United, and been named one of Tomorrow’s News Trailblazers by Editor & Publisher magazine. Find Brian’s additional writing at Teen Vogue, DigBoston, Popula, Shadowproof and the Montague Reporter, or reach out at bzayatz@theshoestring.org.
DUSTY CHRISTENSEN
Investigative Editor
Dusty Christensen is The Shoestring’s investigations editor. Based in western Massachusetts, his award-winning investigative reporting has appeared in newspapers and on radio stations across the region. He has reported for outlets including The Nation magazine, NPR, Haaretz, New England Public Media, The Boston Globe, The Appeal, In These Times, and PBS. He teaches journalism to future muckrakers at both the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Smith College. Send story tips to: dchristensen@theshoestring.org.
TOMMY LEE
Writer
Tommy Lee is a writer based in Western Massachusetts. They can be reached at tlee@theshoestring.org.
OUR BOARD
IVAN ORANSKY
Ivan Oransky, MD, is co-founder of Retraction Watch and executive director of its parent nonprofit The Center For Scientific Integrity, editor in chief of The Transmitter, and distinguished journalist in residence at New York University’s Arthur Carter Journalism Institute. Ivan previously was president of the Association of Health Care Journalists and vice president of editorial at Medscape. He has also held editorial leadership positions at MedPage Today, Reuters Health, Scientific American and The Scientist, and his work has appeared in publications including The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
DAN CANNITY
Dan Cannity, a Western Mass resident and manager of learning technology support at UMass Amherst, is deeply committed to social and economic justice. He was the co-chair of the Northampton Policing Review Commission, and has been a member of local activist organizations, and has worked with local abolitionist groups focusing on police reform and racial justice. He’s also a board member of his local Professional Staff Union and serves on the Joint Executive Committee as well. He firmly believes in the power or local journalism to keep people informed, engaged, and sustained in the big changes needed to make equality a reality.
BARBARA MADELONI
Barbara Madeloni is a labor organizer and writer. Prior to her current work as education coordinator at Labor Notes, she was the president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. She resides in Northampton.
MAUREEN TURNER
Maureen Turner is a writer and editor and a lecturer in the UMass Amherst Department of Journalism.
To make a tax-deductible donation by check, please make a check out to “Alternative Newsweekly Foundation for The Shoestring.” If your donation is under $500, please include a note if you would like a mailed or emailed receipt. Mail checks to:
Alternative Newsweekly Foundation
c/o Kevin Goldberg
253 Tennessee Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002
Please feel free to email us with any questions about donations at theshoestringmag@gmail.com.
Thank you so much for your support!
The Shoestring
is a proud member of:
