LJCs launch in Upper Midwest, Florida

Two of the local journalism centers backed by CPB in April are up and running. "Changing Gears," helmed by New York Times veteran Micheline "Micki" Maynard, has launched its website and a blog pointing readers to coverage from the three partner stations, Chicago's WBEZ, Michigan Radio, and Cleveland's ideastream. HealthyState.org, a collaboration of five public stations in central Florida, has hired Jennifer Molina to lead its editorial team. Launch plans for additional LJCs are still pending; Fronteras, the largest collaboration to be announced so far, is recruiting a social media editor for its project covering immigration and border issues in the Southwest.