Some findings re: the "GR Herald"
I've seen some buzz on here about a new "news" site that came to town this year, and mostly the buzz is that the "news" is poorly reported and with an obvious slant, and that the organization shares no information about themselves - no about page, no funding information, etc. So since they don't want to be transparent, I will take on the task myself. Here's what I know about the "GR Herald" (Quotations because I hate to slander the good name of our city's historic paper).
Here's who is behind it and what I know about them:
Jackson Walker - Refers to himself as the founding reporter of the GR Herald. He graduated from UW Madison in May 2023. He previously worked at conservative outlets like The College Fix. He is the least interesting of the people behind the Herald, though worth looking into the "newsworthy" coverage he has previously published. As far as I can tell online, he had no ties to Michigan or Grand Rapids before coming to work at The Herald.
Jacob Bruns - Bruns is best known for his recent work as Hillsdale city commissioner, a role he filled as recently as November 2024. In 2022 he got his Masters in politics from Hillsdale College. Here's an article where he spelled the mayor's name as LaGrande multiple times because he doesn't know what he is talking about and is not from our community.
Caleb Whitmer - Probably the most interesting piece of the puzzle, especially because you won't find his name anywhere on the Herald's website. According to a January 27 LARA filing, Caleb is listed as the sole incorporator of the Herald with a p.o. box listed out on the beltline. Caleb Whitmer is the Project Manager at the Center for Social Flourishing at the Acton Institute. He graduated from Hillsdale College in 2014. The Acton Institute is a Grand Rapids-based think tank "that promotes free market principles and individual liberty based on Judeo-Christian beliefs. The Acton Institute conducts academic research, organizes seminars, and produces publications that connect religious virtues with free-market economics."
That's all from me! Do with this information what you will. Grand Rapids deserves quality and transparent news ❤️