Geiger joins the Western News
Reporter Abigail Geiger realized she was destined for photojournalism after seeing Robert Capa’s “The Falling soldier” at a photography exhibit in New York City when she was 14.
Since seeing the Hungarian photojournalist’s famous Spanish War picture as a teenager, the University of Missouri graduate has been sharpening her reporting skills by pursuing stories on everything from a feature on Benedictine monks to following a woman she met in a coffee shop, on a hunt for paranormal activity.
Now Geiger, a Florida native, is ready for a new adventure in Montana. She started her new job at The Western News on July 3.
“I really like to challenge myself,” Geiger said, joking that she was continuing north in an almost straight line from Florida to Missouri and now to Libby. “I like being out of my comfort zone.”
Matt Bunk, editor and publisher of The Western News, said Geiger’s outgoing personality and exceptional writing talent made her stand out as the best candidate for the job.
“Abigail is a thoughtful reporter who has maturity beyond her years,” he said. “She was also a lot of fun to talk with, which is a big plus for someone who will spend most of her time interviewing and interacting with people in our communities.”
With a major in political science and a minor in history, Geiger said journalism has continued to appeal to her because she has found a well-constructed article can broaden people’s minds.
“Writing and telling a story is a good way of helping people understand each other,” Geiger said. Natural curiosity plays a part in her reporting as well: “Everybody is interesting to me.”
While travelling abroad has its appeal, Geiger said seeing different regions of the U.S. was exciting enough for now, and cited a recent trip to Utah.
“I feel like there is a lot in our own country to see,” Geiger said. “I wanted to go west. I loved the small community of Columbia (where the University of Missouri is located) but I wanted to go to a really small place to see how people in those communities interact.”
An avid climber and runner, Geiger was keen to explore the northwest in all seasons. Though she hasn’t experienced too much in the way of winter sports, Geiger was looking forward to cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding this winter.
After less than a week in Libby, Geiger was confident going north was the right move for her.
“I followed my gut when I moved to Missouri,” Geiger said, recollecting what a great decision that had been. “Now I’ve followed my gut to Montana.”
Elizabeth Brixey, a city editor for the Columbia Missourian, gave Geiger a strong recommendation following Greiger’s internship as a copyeditor for the newspaper during 2012 and 2013.
“Abigail has a real heart for people,” Brixey said. “She wants to see the world through the eyes of those she writes about.”
Geiger will cover the City of Libby, the Libby School District, among other beats.
“We have gone through a transformation in our newsroom during the past few months, and I believe the team we have now is exceptional,” Bunk said. “I believe our readers will be pleased with the kinds of stories we will be able to produce with such talented reporters as Abigail and our other recent addition, Gwyneth Hyndman. Both of them will fit in well in Lincoln County.”