Prior to joining Bridge Michigan, Matt Mencarini was a local government and investigative reporter at the Lansing State Journal. His journalism career has taken him to five different states, where’s covered mass incarceration in Kentucky and voting rights in Wisconsin. During a previous stint at the State Journal, he spent more than two years covering the case of Larry Nassar, a former Michigan State University sports doctor serving prison time for sexually assaulting women gymnasts. Mencarini also investigated Michigan State University’s failures to stop the abuse sooner. Mencarini was part of the Louisville Courier Journal team that won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news. He’s a Chicago native with a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee and bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Illinois.
Beat: Michigan data and accountability reporter
The data and accountability reporter examines public records and datasets to reveal trends, inequities, and hidden patterns in Michigan. The role turns complex information into clear stories, visualizations, and interactive tools that help Michigan residents understand how public policy affects their communities. Centered on transparency and impact, the reporter covers statewide and local issues across education, health, the environment, the economy, and elections, expanding Bridge Michigan’s reach as a trusted source for data-driven journalism.