The Coronado News is a 24-hour news website and direct-mail newspaper delivered free to residents of Coronado. We strive to produce fair, accurate and balanced coverage of island affairs and issues, including local government, schools, public safety, business, entertainment and the military.

The Coronado News staff pictured here includes: (From left) Julieta Soto, Elaine Alfaro, Cade Michaelson, Madeline Yang, Dennis Wagner, Sofie Fransen and Lilly Corcoran.

The News Team

Dennis Wagner

I’m a vintage, bald, journalist with 48 years of journalism, most of those at USA Today and The Arizona Republic. I started my reporting career at The Coronado Journal in 1975, and I’ve returned in semi-retirement to help out at The Coronado News. It’s a vocation that allowed me to fly the U.S.-Mexico border for a Pulitzer-winning project on The Wall, and to uncover a nationwide scandal in veterans healthcare. Along the way I also tracked terrorists after the 9/11 attack, covered an Apache Sunrise Ceremony and confronted Mafia hitman Sammy the Bull Gravano. In an era of fake news, I strive for integrity and hope the stories we tell will make a difference for you. I have a wife, dog, grandchildren and a life-long love affair with wilderness. All of those give me humility, joy and a sense of purpose.

Sofie Fransen

Sofie Fransen is the Editor-in-Chief of The Coronado News. She graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University, majoring in English-Education and minoring in Journalism. She was the Opinion Editor of The Point student newspaper. In the summers, she commercial fishes for the sockeye salmon run in Alaska. She can be reached at (619) 990-8465.

Madeline Yang

Madeline Yang is a reporter for The Coronado News, covering the City of Coronado, the U.S Navy and investigating the Tijuana/Coronado sewage issue. She graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with her Bachelor’s in Journalism with an emphasis in Visual Storytelling. She loves writing, photography and videography and one day hopes to be a filmmaker. She can be reached by phone at 916-835-5843.

Julieta Soto

Julieta Soto is a reporter for The Coronado News, covering education, small business and investigating the Tijuana/Coronado sewage issue. She graduated from UC Berkeley where she studied English, Spanish, and Journalism. Apart from reporting, Julieta enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Michelle Armas

Michelle Armas is a reporter for The Coronado News. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Diego State University, where she also studied French. She spent a year living in Tokyo, teaching English and contributing feature stories to Japan Today. In her free time, she enjoys making ceramics and creative writing. She can be reached at 661-972-6098.


Cade Michaelson

Cade Michaelson is a part-time reporter for the Coronado News. He will primarily be covering sports in Coronado. He is currently a senior at Point Loma Nazarene University, majoring in journalism with a minor in media communications. He is the sports editor for The Point, PLNU’s student newspaper. In his free time, you can find him on the pickleball courts or the golf course! He can be reached at cade.michaelson@gmail.com

Lilly Corcoran

Lilly Corcoran is a part-time general assignment reporter for The Coronado News. Previously, she worked as a producer for a video podcast based in Washington, D.C., covering Middle Eastern policy and U.S. Congressional affairs. Her reporting experience also includes a multimedia investigative story on pediatric HIV/AIDS in Tijuana, Mexico. Lilly holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in writing from Point Loma Nazarene University.