TAPinto Publisher Kathy Cryan Expands Ownership

Kathy Cryan has built a successful hyperlocal news business in Union County over the past 11 years. Now she is expanding her media footprint by acquiring TAPinto Springfield, bringing her vision of community-focused journalism to a new market.

Cryan has owned and operated TAPinto Union since 2015. In that time, she has published thousands of stories about the people, organizations, and events that define Union County life. Before launching her media career, she worked in telecommunications as a business analyst for 17 years and in healthcare as a senior account executive for nine years. She has lived in Union for more than 17 years.

Her philosophy is straightforward: local news is about people. "Every town has remarkable residents who volunteer, coach youth sports, support local charities, start businesses, serve their community and quietly make a difference every day," Cryan said. "Those stories deserve to be told."

Cryan believes that when people see themselves and their neighbors in the news, it strengthens community. This conviction has guided her leadership of TAPinto Union and now extends to her expansion with TAPinto Springfield, where she will work alongside journalist Guy Kipp to continue that mission.

"As publisher of TAPinto Union, I've had the privilege of sharing thousands of stories that might otherwise have gone untold," Cryan said. "Expanding allows me to continue that mission—providing accurate, timely, community-focused journalism while highlighting the people, organizations and businesses that make communities special places to live and work."

TAPinto founder and CEO Michael Shapiro endorsed the expansion. "Kathy's deep roots in the community, combined with veteran journalist Guy Kipp's reporting, create a powerful combination that will ensure residents will receive the trusted, high-quality local news coverage they've come to rely on while positioning the site for continued growth."

Cryan's trajectory reflects broader trends in media: the success of hyperlocal news operations that focus on genuine community engagement rather than national-scale aggregation. By building sustainable local news in Union County, Cryan has demonstrated that there is market demand for the kind of journalism that celebrates neighbors and tells the stories of everyday people doing meaningful work.

Union County Life recognizes the media leaders and entrepreneurs who sustain journalism and community connection in Union County.

FAQ

Q: Who is Kathy Cryan?
A: Kathy Cryan is the owner and publisher of TAPinto Union, a hyperlocal news publication serving Union County. She has led the business since 2015 and has published thousands of community stories. She has lived in Union for more than 17 years.

Q: What is TAPinto Union?
A: TAPinto Union is a hyperlocal news outlet focused on telling the stories of people, organizations, and events across Union County. It emphasizes community-focused journalism and everyday people doing meaningful work in their neighborhoods.

Q: Why did Kathy Cryan expand to Springfield?
A: Cryan is expanding her media business by acquiring TAPinto Springfield to continue her mission of providing accurate, timely, community-focused journalism. She sees value in hyperlocal news that reflects the people and organizations making communities special.

Q: What is hyperlocal news?
A: Hyperlocal news focuses on a specific, often small geographic area (a city, town, or neighborhood) and emphasizes stories about local people, organizations, events, and issues. It differs from regional or national news by prioritizing community-level coverage.

Q: What was Kathy Cryan's background before publishing?
A: Before launching TAPinto Union, Cryan worked in the telecommunications industry as a business analyst for 17 years and in the healthcare industry as a senior account executive for nine years.

Q: Who else is involved in TAPinto media operations?
A: Guy Kipp, a veteran journalist, partners with Cryan at TAPinto Springfield. Michael Shapiro is the founder and CEO of TAPinto, the parent company of these hyperlocal news operations.

Q: How can I access TAPinto Union or support Union County journalism?
A: Subscribe to TAPinto Union's free daily newsletter or follow on social media. For advertising or marketing on TAPinto platforms, contact the publisher.