After two years serving with the Shasta County Grand Jury, I knew how many local government accountability stories weren’t being covered . . . and how many hard questions weren’t being asked. I knew there was a compelling need in Shasta County for investigative news that would build a stronger democracy. That’s why, one year ago, I was just beginning to imagine what a new kind of news media for Shasta County could look like.
As 2021 began, Shasta Scout solidified and grew into a landing page and email updates. By mid-year, we’d launched a full website and grown the team, including contributing editor Marc Dadigan and columnists Doug Craig, Heather Wylie and Sharon Brisolara.
Now, in just one year, you’ve helped Shasta Scout become a news outlet with more than 8,000 readers a month. We’ve joined the Institute for Nonprofit News and LION Publishers, and become a Cal Matters Media Partner. We’ve also published more than 80 articles covering the diverse and investigative stories of Shasta County. And we were the first local news outlet to break the tremendously important story of proposed riverfront development at Turtle Bay.
Today, we’re excited to announce that we’re launching our Founding Membership campaign, with the goal of raising $10,000.
We’re building more than a news organization. We’re building a community of civically-engaged people through the news.
