Louis is a two-decade-plus New Jersey reporter and editor who believes a community news organization serves its audience best by embracing values of inclusion, equity and solutions-focused journalism. He's guest lectured at area colleges and universities on journalistic ethics, the evolution of digital journalism and the work required to earn trust from audiences in a 24-7 media world. He co-created, filmed and produced "Heroin Uncut: The Truth About the Crisis," a video and podcast series that in 2017 won The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies' "Truth in Media" award. He's won several awards from the New Jersey Press Association and chapters of the Society for Professional Journalists for news writing, video production, print design and interactive digital media. He lives with his partner and their three cats, about whom and about which he talks incessantly. Lou enjoys an irresponsibly expensive hobby and occasional side vocation as a photographer; his work can be seen at LCHPhoto.com. His pronouns are he and him. He prefers "Lou" over Louis in casual conversation, but really, anything other than "Louie" is OK. Email: hochman@montclairlocal.news Phone: 973-937-8392
Louis C. Hochman
If Montclair has your email, expect a message from an anti-hate group
Rise Against Hate sued Montclair for the mailing list. The town quietly settled, and is paying $3,500 for the group's attorney's fees.
Celebrating the many things Animal Control does for Montclair (Letter to the editor)
Michele Shiber says an animal control officer's responsibilities are numerous and varied.
Montclair Local’s new website launches: The redesigned MontclairLocal.news
The new site is faster, it's easier to find what you're looking for, and it's a major step on our journey toward sustainability.
Montclair Black clergy: We need transparent policies for town investigations
They say they're still not satisfied Montclair clearly lays out how it will investigate incidents involving race and identity.
Serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver charged with a fourth murder
Wheeler-Weaver had previously been convicted of killing women including Sarah Butler, of Montclair.
Montclair officer suspended after allegation of using a racial slur, chief confirms
The police chief said an investigation "was immediately launched" when he became aware of the allegation.
Vote Montclair founder says he’s sorry for writing the piece that has members quitting
By LOUIS C. HOCHMAN
hochman@montclairlocal.news
The founder of Vote Montclair said in a message to his mailing list Friday he'd "let down friends and collaborators" when he wrote a piece criticizing “education unions and union-dominated political machines" for protecting seniority among educators — a piece that prompted some of the people most closely associated with the group to qu
Vote Montclair members quit after founder criticizes school unions for protecting seniority
The two just-elected Board of Education members who Vote Montclair had backed say group founder Erik D'Amato doesn't speak for them "nor anyone else who was involved with the now defunct Vote Montclair."
Montclair police officer was suspended for 20 days after ‘China 19 check’ comment
Another officer was suspended for violating a department vehicle policy, but police haven't yet explained what happened. Records disclosures required by the state Attorney General's Office say very little.