Gath Townsend brings a steady cadence and a reflective tone to On Assignment, often asking the questions just beneath the surface. Raised on print but fascinated by pixels, he’s especially drawn to how social media, digital platforms, and emerging technologies shape the public’s sense of truth—and how easily that truth can be bent. He's a big fan of NPR, podcasting, and continually learning more. Gath isn't originally from Central Pennsylvania, but he's called the area home for some time. Though he keeps a relatively low profile, Gath has a knack for pattern recognition: the signals buried in noise, the way disinformation moves through networks, and the quiet work of those trying to push back. He’s not big on headlines about himself, but behind the scenes, his voice never waivers and his presence never fades. For those who know their journalism history, the name might ring a bell—but this Gath’s still very much online.

Marianne Keller is a researcher and analyst specializing in the architecture of information ecosystems—mapping how communities thrive or wither in news deserts, adapt in news jungles, or evolve in hybrid media landscapes. Her insights reflect a deep integration of cross-disciplinary data, especially in areas where human reporting alone can't always reach. Keller’s ability to synthesize patterns from vast and varied sources has made her a go-to voice on the shifting foundations of local journalism. While she doesn’t grant many interviews in person, her contributions are unmistakably present wherever the future of media is being modeled.