Texas Tribune to launch network of local newsrooms throughout state
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Credit: Stephen Spillman for The Texas Tribune
The Texas Tribune, a non-profit, non-partisan news outlet focused on state politics and policy, announced Thursday plans to launch a slate of local newsrooms to expand its reach to the community level, starting with Waco.
Why it matters: The Tribune is one of the most successful local media startups in recent history. Its track record makes it uniquely equipped to help other local newsrooms grow, Tribune CEO Sonal Shah told Axios in an interview.
- "We want to make a bet on Texas," Shah said. "We know how to do startup newsrooms. We've done it ourselves. We've been training newsrooms across the country for a long time."
The big picture: The Tribune is launching its local expansion with a $2.75 million pledge from The American Journalism Project (AJP), a venture philanthropy dedicated to nonprofit local news.
- AJP will continue to provide the Tribune support as it grows its business model and the businesses of its upcoming hyper-local newsrooms.
Zoom in: The Tribune plans to launch its first hyper-local newsroom in Waco early next year, followed by a newsroom in Austin, where The Tribune is headquartered.
- They plan to hire three people to launch the Waco outlet, including an editor-in-chief, a community engagement manager and a business-side executive. It hopes to hire at least four more people afterwards, Shah said.
- Each newsroom will be branded separately from the Tribune to reflect the unique needs and cultures of each local community. Reporters will be based in the communities they cover.
- The Tribune will offer local newsrooms finance and fundraising support, as well as backend resources across human resources, product and technology, Shah said.
Between the lines: In some places, the Tribune will launch a new newsroom entirely. In others, it will partner with existing outlets. It may consider acquiring local outlets.
- Like the Tribune, individual newsrooms will be funded via individual gifts, memberships, grants and corporate sponsorships.
- The Tribune will have a separate local advisory board oversee the rollout and development of the local newsrooms, Shah said.
Between the lines: News of the Tribune's hyper-local expansion was announced during the outlet's annual Texas Tribune Festival, which draws hundreds of speakers for a three-day program filled with policy conversations and networking.
Catch up quick: Launched in 2008, the Tribune has grown to national prominence thanks to a commitment to hard-hitting, local journalism and early investments in products such as events, podcasts and newsletters.
- For most of its existence, The Tribune was consistently profitable, which inspired other philanthropists and entrepreneurs to explore similar models.
- But even with its success, it hasn't been immune from broader challenges facing the media industry. It had its first round of layoffs in 2023.
What we're watching: Amid a weaker ad landscape, more local newsrooms are launching as non-profits to solicit philanthropic support.
- The Associated Press in July announced the launch of a non-profit, independent sister organization that aims to raise at least $100 million to expand state and local news.
