Award-Winning Reporter, Editor Joins Michigan Capitol Confidential as Managing Editor

For Immediate Release
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012
Contact: Michael Jahr
Vice President for Communications 
or 
Manny Lopez 
Michigan Capitol Confidential Managing Editor
989-631-0900

MIDLAND — Manny Lopez, a 14-year journalism veteran who most recently served as editor of The Detroit News opinion page, has joined the Mackinac Center for Public Policy as managing editor of Michigan Capitol Confidential. Over the years, Lopez worked at The News as an editorial writer, columnist, reporter and automotive editor, winning awards for coverage of the GM bankruptcy, health care and other issues.

Lopez also worked for four years as an associate editor and columnist for the Kansas City Business Journal, and served as coordinator for student recruitment and retention at the University of Kansas School of Journalism. He earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2010.

“Manny’s rare combination of journalism and economics expertise ideally fits CapCon’s mission — to inform Michigan residents of the policy decisions that affect their lives,” Mackinac Center President Joseph G. Lehman said. “He, Tom Gantert, Jack Spencer and Anne Schieber comprise a powerful and well-sourced reporting team.”

Lopez joins a CapCon staff that includes Senior Capitol Correspondent Tom Gantert, a 20-year daily newspaper veteran who worked for USA Today, The Jackson Citizen Patriot, Lansing State Journal and Ann Arbor News, and Capitol Affairs Specialist Jack Spencer, who spent 13 years covering the Michigan Legislature for the Michigan Information & Research Service.

Lopez said he was excited about his new role.

“When it comes to reporting and writing about free-market principles and liberty, Michigan Capitol Confidential is the premier source in the state,” he said. “I’m excited to be joining a great investigative team that holds policymakers’ feet to the fire and combines Mackinac Center research with the top issues of the day.

“I want to expand CapCon’s reach in Michigan and nationally and make it the go-to source for reporting on the state’s policymakers,” Lopez added.

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