Hi there!

I’m Mike Fourcher, an energy analyst for the British Foreign Office in the United States. However, I’ve been a journalist and political consultant. I’ve founded and operated a number of news sites, including a neighborhood hyperlocal site, a subscription political news service, and a legal cannabis industry newsletter. In between I’ve consulted for and operated many other news businesses. I’m also a proud, founding member of the Local Independent Online News Association.

Before all the news stuff, I spent some time in U.S. politics, including time on Capitol Hill, a staffer for two Secretaries of the Energy Department, and on lots of national and local campaigns.

Politics, the human process of deciding who gets what, when, and where, is fascinating to me, and I love the struggle of understanding and discussing it.

What I’m Up To Now

A few years ago I returned to an interest started decades ago, energy and climate policy as an energy and environment advisor for the British Consulate in Chicago. You obviously also found Middling Industries, which is my “hobby writing” site, where I write about just about everything except the work I’m supposed to be doing.

How To Find Me

Our world is increasingly fractured, so you can probably find me in a bunch of places, at different times.

Email – mike (at) fourcher.net

Instagram – @vouchey

Bluesky – @vouchey.bsky.social

Threads – @vouchey (I’m not there very often)

Thanks for reaching out. I love to talk to people. It’s the best part of being here.