ASU Newswell

06/27/2025

We’re hiring an editor and general manager to lead Times of San Diego – a trusted nonprofit newsroom serving San Diego County.

This is a chance to shape the future of local news and:
→ Guide editorial and business strategy
→ Build meaningful connections with community partners and readers
→ Experiment with new tools and ideas alongside NEWSWELL

Sound like you or someone you know? Apply here: https://ow.ly/vA7350WaT2u

06/24/2025

The Santa Barbara News-Press has been selected as one of 13 news organizations nationwide to participate in a community listening initiative supported by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and the Google News Initiative.

The News-Press will host Spanish-language listening sessions and distribute surveys across Santa Barbara County, focusing on majority Latino areas that have historically lacked access to trusted local news coverage.

Learn more about the initiative and grantees below!

Thirteen newsrooms to receive support for experiments in community listening thanks to support from the Google News Initiative.

06/18/2025

We’re in the final stretch of our spring campaign – and there’s still time to make a lasting impact!

Your contribution will help plant the seeds for a future where local news is sustainable, community-focused and thriving.

Thank you to everyone who’s supported NEWSWELL during our spring campaign – your generosity fuels our work to strengthen local news.

Give today: https://ow.ly/9zJS50WaWV4

06/06/2025

Congratulations to the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication on the launch of the Knight Center for the Future of News!

The new center – made possible by a landmark $10.5 million grant from the Knight Foundation – will advance local news innovation, strengthen democracy and prepare tomorrow’s newsroom leaders.

We’re proud to call you our partners, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication!

Read more:

Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is launching the Knight Center for the Future of News — a transformative new initiative designed to reimagine journalism in the U.S. and build a stronger, more trusted and financially sustainable news ecosyste...

06/06/2025

At INN Days in Minneapolis, we caught up with the incredible Valeria Fernández — founder of Altavoz Lab and longtime community journalist. She was just named an SPJ Fellow of the Society, a prestigious honor recognizing her impact on the field.

She’s also a former Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication instructor and continues to lead with a deep commitment to community-driven reporting.

Congratulations, Valeria — and thank you for showing what it means to strengthen local news with integrity and heart.

Institute for Nonprofit News
Society of Professional Journalists

06/05/2025

At NEWSWELL, we’re transforming local news to help communities thrive.

We support local newsrooms with the tools, strategy and resources they need to focus on what matters most: serving their communities with high-quality journalism.

Join us in building a stronger future for local news: https://ow.ly/9VlT50W5cX8

06/05/2025

NEWSWELL is hiring a general manager to lead the transformation of the Santa Barbara News-Press into a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to serving Santa Barbara County.

The general manager will oversee editorial and revenue strategy, serve as a liaison to the community and collaborate with NEWSWELL and Arizona State University to build a sustainable, community-centered model for local news.

This work is already underway. In a recent series of community listening sessions, residents shared what they want from the future News-Press (link in comments).

Apply today: https://asuep.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/NEWSWELL/job/CA-Remote/General-Manager--Santa-Barbara-News-Press_R1119

06/04/2025

Santa Barbara County residents are helping shape the future of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

Through a series of community listening sessions, participants called for more explanatory and investigative reporting, broader geographic coverage and a stronger connection between local news and civic life. Their input is guiding the transformation of the News-Press into a nonprofit newsroom rooted in public service.

In this video, longtime journalist Jerry Roberts reflects on what he heard from the community—and what’s at stake.

As this work moves forward, NEWSWELL is hiring a general manager to lead the next phase of this transformation (link in comments).

Read the full story here: https://ow.ly/TIRL50W4ul7

06/02/2025

What’s at the top of Julia Thompson’s reading list? The Arizona Agenda.

As NEWSWELL's director of audience and membership she values its smart political reporting, clear voice and useful offshoots like the Education Agenda. It’s how she starts every day.

05/28/2025

NEWSWELL is proud to join the Lenfest AI Collaborative with the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, OpenAI and Microsoft bringing community-first innovation to our newsrooms.

“We’re excited to welcome NEWSWELL to the Lenfest AI Collaborative,” said David Chivers, lead of the program. “NEWSWELL and ASU’s leadership in applied innovation, ethical AI and immersive learning makes them an invaluable partner in shaping how AI can strengthen civic life, inform local communities and reimagine the future of journalism from the ground up.”

Thank you for believing in our mission.

The partnership between The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, OpenAI, and Microsoft helps newsrooms use AI to drive business sustainability.

05/28/2025

Exciting news! We’re thrilled to welcome Annie Barker as Stocktonia's new full-time visual journalist, made possible through the 2025 CatchLight Local Fellowship, in partnership with Report for America.

Barker will help expand Stocktonia's visual storytelling and strengthen its ability to center the people, issues and moments that matter most in San Joaquin County.

“I’m excited to help tell stories in a place where people deserve to be seen and heard,” Barker said. Barker's work will focus on equity-driven visual storytelling, documenting the experiences of communities often left out of traditional coverage.

Watch for her work starting in July.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/nHi850VZJTe

05/21/2025

NEWSWELL has acquired the San Diego Community Newspaper Group, with seven local San Diego print publications. That means in one year, NEWSWELL has grown to 10 news sites across California. That’s 10 communities we are serving with independent, fact-based journalism.

As we announce this milestone, we’re also kicking off a donor campaign – a chance for you to support our efforts. A chance for you to invest in a stronger, more connected local news ecosystem. Your support helps fuel independent journalism that informs, empowers and connects our communities.

Donate today: https://ow.ly/JcLo50VVQFA