New faces in our team

The Madisons of The Madisonian, (L to R) David Madison, Mati Bishop, Madison Allen and Madison Goettle,  braved the frigid temperatures to gather on Feb. 13, 2025. PHOTO BY CORI KOENIG

Cori Koenig, editor/publisher

A Montanan through and through, Cori has lived in Madison County intermittently since 1994. She spent her high school years in the beautiful Upper Ruby and graduated as a Sheridan Panther. She has been passionate about building community since her college days at Montana State University and believes there is no better place than a vibrant community paper. Cori is currently raising two little darlings with her husband and getting outside as much as possible.

1) Why do you love journalism? I love helping our communities share the stories that are important to their lives. Whether it's local government in action, a recent school board decision that affects their family, a natural resource story or a touching human interest piece, all of these stories are interwoven into the fabric of the day to day lives of our neighbors and friends. Connection and understanding are very important to me.

2) What are three of your favorite things? My family, yoga (better yet, yoga on my paddle board) and sunshine on my shoulders.

3) Favorite quote? “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”― George R.R. Martin, A Dance With Dragons

Susanne Hill, publisher

1) Why do you love journalism? I love being a part of building community - the verb. I love knowing that the stories we publish build cohesion and trust and remind us all that we have a stake in one another as human beings. I love knowing we use our platform to passionately serve ALL of our readers. And, that the journalists who come work with our team do so because they love affecting the human condition by providing facts and truths and the tools necessary for their readers to assimilate into their own version of better living. When all of this comes together with advertising to then drive commerce within each of our wonderful communities, the work feels pretty amazing.

2) What are three of your favorite things? Cheesy Hallmark movies, fast cars and loyal friends. And horses. And ice cream and good chocolate. And loud belly laughs… ​

3) Favorite quote? “Vulnerability is not about fear and grief and disappointment. It’s the birthplace of everything we’re hungry for.” Brené Brown

Madison Goettle, community reporter

My name is Madison Goettle, and I am just starting my journalism career with the Madisonian. Throughout my life I have always enjoyed writing, my favorite part about it all was doing the digging and research to find all the answers. I have dabbled in fantasy and poetry but always enjoyed writing research papers for school. After graduating high school from Ennis High, I started my journey into college. I moved from my home in Ennis, Montana to the bustling town of Great Falls, Montana. Here I attended the University of Providence and graduated with my bachelor’s degree in forensic science. After spending a long time away, I realized how much I missed my community and moved back home. Now I spend my time reading, drawing, writing, and even competing in the Miss Montana USA pageant. I am always out on the move finding new things to do and exploring the world around me. What better way to share these experiences with others than through writing. A few things that I have learned while out travelling my path of life is there will always be change and challenges, but something to remember, “If nothing ever changed there would be no butterflies. ~Unknown.”

Mati Bishop, community reporter

Mati Bishop traces his family roots to Libby, MT, but he grew up on the front range of Colorado as the son of defense industry contractors. After graduation from Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, he shipped off with the Marine Corps and worked his way to Oahu, Hawaii where he stayed after his discharge and began his career in the newspaper business with the Honolulu Weekly. 

He returned to the mainland eight years later and took the media relations director position for the Seattle Sounders soccer team. He continued to work in sports management and journalism with USA Volleyball and the Association of Volleyball Professionals. He reached a personal crossroads in 2020 and chose to return to Montana and reestablish himself in the newspaper industry. 

“I came back to Montana and back to working in the newspaper business because I see a huge need for reporting and investigation that doesn’t revolve around the red and blue division narratives,” he said. 

Since returning to Montana he has worked for the Montanan in Libby and served as the business editor of the Miles City Star.