Bloglander

Smart. Provocative. Engaged. That's what we wanted in a new group of commentators for the Inlander and Inlander.com, and that, I'm proud to announce, is what we've found.

These writers will blog here every week and rotate once a month in the paper. (Alongside their columns will appear illustrations by local artist Caleb Walsh.) We'll still feature the opinions of Robert Herold, George Nethercutt and Mary Lou Reed, but we're excited to welcome these bright new voices to the mix.

They come from very different backgrounds and bring to the discussion a wealth of real world experience:

Luke Baumgarten, a creative strategist at Seven2 and former culture editor of the Inlander, is a co-founder of Terrain and the founder of Fellow Coworking. He tweets @lukebaumgarten.

Rachel Dolezal, formerly of the Human Rights Education Institute in Coeur d'Alene, is an award-winning artist and activist who teaches courses in art, Africana history and culture at area universities.

John T. Reuter, a former Sandpoint City Councilman, is the executive director of Conservation Voters for Idaho. He has been active in protecting Idaho's environment, expanding LGBT rights and the Idaho Republican Party.

Taylor Weech is a Spokane writer and photographer. She hosts a weekly public affairs show, Praxis, on KYRS-FM.

Check back with Inlander.com this week as these contributors jump in the fray. If nothing else, it should be interesting.

Jacob Fries is the editor of the Inlander.