Get to know Steve Martinez, service journalism editor at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Steve Martinez, a lifelong Milwaukeean and long-tenured veteran of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, oversees the service journalism desk at the Journal Sentinel. The new emphasis, often called Connect, launched two years ago, trying to tackle a simple premise: Let's give the people of Milwaukee answers to their day-to-day questions.
That includes parking restrictions, details of upcoming events, consumer-focused stories, weather, lottery numbers, gas prices and simply how the news of the day impacts Milwaukee and Wisconsin. The concept allows us to connect with our readers on a more utilitarian level, and after all, aren't you wondering why that flag is at half-staff?
Steve has previously been a reporter and producer, covering crime, courts and breaking news. Here's what to know about him.
I've thankfully streamlined my mustache grooming routine to about 5-10 minutes a day. Sometimes it can take longer if I want to do more intricate trimming or shaping, but that's maybe once a week. It actually bothers me how much constant care and attention it needs (laughs), but it's my signature look, so I put up with it. My dad had a great mustache when he was younger, so that's where I get it from.
All 33 years of my life. I was born and raised in West Allis, and my parents moved us to New Berlin when I was 10. I've lived in Milwaukee for the last eight years. It's a great city, not without its problems, but probably a little underrated.
With some initiative and a lot of help from patient and encouraging editors who graciously tolerate my dark humor and overuse of memes and gifs. I started as a reporter in the Waukesha County suburbs, covered courts and breaking news, among other things, and slowly climbed up the career ladder. I found I had a good head and eye for trending news and saw a lot of potential in using digitally focused journalism to expand the Journal Sentinel's audience in Wisconsin. That's a big part of my job now as the paper's service journalism editor.
I define it as journalism that helps people navigate their lives and understand how major, national issues, such as tariffs or immigration policy, can have significant hyperlocal effects. On the Connect team, we also make it a priority to answer reader questions on a huge range of topics, from interesting weather phenomena and road closures to famous Milwaukee Brewers fan Front Row Amy.
We definitely cover a lot of the same topics regularly, but I'm weird and don't mind the repetition. Every day, people want to know what the weather's going to be like, and they never get tired of checking the forecast. I hope my team's work has a similar appeal. I want our coverage to be something people think is worth returning to day-in and day-out because it's relevant and important to their lives.
I'm partially clairvoyant. I also spend an inordinate amount of time on Twitter.
In all seriousness, Google has some very useful search trend information, which can be really helpful during a breaking news event. And other social media in general can give you a sense of what people are talking about or the things that are important to them. I will also, occasionally (and only if necessary), talk to my friends and see what gets them fired up.
Men's fashion, the Milwaukee Brewers and the 2016 movie "Hell or High Water."
Buy a very expensive bottle of bourbon and pour myself a generous glass.
Reach Steve at steve.martinez@jrn.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Get to know Steve Martinez, MJS service journalism editor
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