Staff

Michael Standaert, Correspondent, has worked as a journalist and writer for 24 years, first from the Midwest and later from California, Europe and Asia. From early 2007 to mid-2023 he was based in China, first Beijing, then Shenzhen, where he served as a correspondent accredited with Bloomberg Industry Group from 2009 onward. From China he also freelanced for a wide range of outlets incluiding The Washington Post, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, MIT Technology Revice, YaleEnvironment 360 and others throughout China and into Southeast Asia. He has an MA in journalism from Cardiff University, United Kingdom, and published one book of nonfiction as well as a novel. Originally from Northwest Illinois, Michael said he looks forward to gaining a deep understanding of North Dakota, its issues and people, as well as raising his young family here.

Cecile Wehrman, Secretary, is the executive director of the North Dakota Newspaper Association and president of Journal Publishing, Inc., which publishes The Journal in Crosby. A journalist for nearly four decades, she worked in radio, television and newspapers since 1985. Wehrman is also the project leader of Kid Scoop ND, a literacy project delivering a kid-oriented monthly newspaper to elementary students in the state.