Bay City News Foundation

12/31/2024

What a year! Take a look at some photos from the events and news stories we covered. On this VERY LAST DAY of the NewsMatch giving sprint, your donations to support our nonprofit newsroom will be doubled. Please support local news today! https://mendovoice.com/support-our-publication/

12/27/2024

You might have read the news when we first acquired The Mendocino Voice. But let’s talk about why this matters.

Mendocino County is a rural region with a poverty rate that outstrips both the state’s and the nation’s poverty levels. We know that lower income areas are less likely to have news coverage, which can lead to reduced civic engagement and access to critical information.

By merging with The Mendocino Voice, we were able to expand our coverage area from 12 to 13 counties while also supplying the small outlet with additional resources and reporters.

This also meant we took on additional expenses.

As we near the end of the NewsMatch campaign, we’re asking that you help support our work and double your impact. https://mendovoice.com/support-our-publication/

Thank you.

Support quality journalism by joining us today!

12/26/2024

𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲:

Aiming to fill a gap in community coverage, Bay City News/Local News Matters assigned two full-time journalists to cover local government, courts, community events and topics like homelessness.

Beat reporting led Victoria Franco to learn that public safety meetings were not being translated into Spanish, one of the dominant languages in this area. We highlighted this problem in a broader story about the lack of translation services, particularly for a community heavily impacted by serious crime. We conducted much of the reporting in Spanish and published the story in Spanish as well.

Read it here: https://localnewsmatters.org/2023/04/17/more-than-words-lack-of-translation-services-and-trust-leave-out-voices-in-stockton/

Victoria’s story led to a policy change as the police department and other public agencies added translators to reach the residents most in need of critical information.

We need local news more than ever. And we are nearing the end of our NewsMatch fundraising sprint. Until the 31st, your contributions will be matched by this national campaign, effectively doubling your impact. Will you help? https://localnewsmatters.org/support-our-publication/

This story was translated into Spanish, thanks to RFA. The Spanish version can be found here: Read in Spanish Este artículo fue traducido en español

12/23/2024

As the dust settles from the national election, many of us might be feeling a mix of emotions. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the larger political landscape, but it’s important to remember that 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆.

City councils, school districts, county boards of supervisors, water boards, health departments—all these forms of local government directly shape our everyday lives. They’re also where your voice and activism can effect change. This is why local news matters more than ever. And we at Local News Matters provide crucial coverage on what’s happening in our communities across 13 counties in the Bay Area and beyond. Information is power.

By supporting Local News Matters, you’re not only staying informed, but you’re also helping your neighbors do the same. Our coverage brings transparency and accountability to local government, highlights community voices, and keeps you connected to what’s happening right here in your backyard.

Take Action Today

📣 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱: Attend local meetings, speak up, get involved.
ℹ️ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱: Follow our coverage to keep up with the latest local news.
💸 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺: Donate today to help us continue providing the essential information you need.

Will you support local news and a free press?

https://localnewsmatters.org/support-our-publication/

12/20/2024

We're super proud of our award-winning journalists! At the San Francisco Press Club’s 47th annual awards dinner in December, Bay City News received three First Place Awards:

Joe Dworetzky, First Place, Digital Media, Profile “Nomad in a Settled City: Tales of a Traveller”

Joe Dworetzky, First Place, Digital Media, Investigative Reporting “Living in Camp Dismal: An Investigative Series on Alternative Shelter Approaches”

Anna Leah, First Place, Digital Media, Photography/Sports “Down the Home Stretch: Golden Gate Fields fans pony up for memories at track’s finale”

We're getting close to the end of our NewsMatch season! Will you help support local journalism? All contributions made now through Dec. 31 will be doubled. https://localnewsmatters.org/about-bay-city-news/bay-city-news-in-the-news/

12/20/2024

🎙️ As a collaborative organization, we have partnered with Radio Sausalito to expand our coverage and reach more readers with important news. Your donation during NewsMatch keeps the airwaves filled with local news. Support us today! 📻https://localnewsmatters.org/support-our-publication/

12/16/2024

Most fares on San Francisco’s public transit system will be going up on Jan. 1, the Municipal Transportation Agency says.

Most fares on San Francisco’s public transit system will be going up on Jan. 1, the Municipal Transportation Agency said this week. A single ride for an

12/14/2024

Check out these new books from Bay Area and Northern California authors:

New books, from Bay Area and Northern California authors, listed by release date. Portrait in Red: A Paris Obsession By L. John Harris (Berkeley)Heyday

12/14/2024

It's critical to continue supporting a free press and the outlets that provide the news. Journalists investigate, keep tabs on and write about what our leaders are up to. It's an important part of holding elected officials accountable.

While it might seem obvious, that "free" article you just read wasn't made for free. Behind it are the paid hours of reporters, editors, web producers, photographers and more.

At Bay City News Foundation, we estimate the average story—not including in-depth investigative pieces—costs around $510 to produce.

Quality journalism is an investment, and your support helps make it possible.

Now through Dec. 31 is the best time to give because the national NewsMatch campaign helps small operations like our by matching funds. DOUBLE your impact and give today: https://localnewsmatters.org/support-our-publication/

12/14/2024

We at Bay City News Foundation are incredibly grateful to receive a grant from The Community Foundation of Mendocino County to support our local journalism in Mendocino County. As a nonprofit newsroom with a mission to provide unbiased, fact-based journalism for free to the community, grant support like this allows us to continue serving our readers in Mendocino County. Thank you for supporting local news!

12/13/2024

Renia Webb, a former staffer for ousted Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, has filed papers with the city about her intention to run in the election to replace her.

Learn more about Webb here:
https://localnewsmatters.org/2024/12/11/former-staffer-for-ousted-oakland-mayor-thao-announces-candidacy-to-replace-her/

Renia Webb, a former staffer for ousted Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, has filed papers with the city about her intention to run in the election to replace

12/11/2024

Sonoma County will provide free internet service for a year to 556 low-income households, supervisors decided last week.

Find out how it will be funded here:
https://localnewsmatters.org/2024/12/09/joining-the-fast-lane-sonoma-county-to-offer-free-internet-service-for-low-income-families/

Sonoma County will provide free internet service for a year to 556 low-income households, supervisors decided last week. The program will use up to

06/21/2024

FBI raids home of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.

Several hours after the FBI raided the home of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, a small group of protesters had gathered there, calling for her to resign. 

06/18/2024

Creating career pathways for the next generation through paid internships is key to our mission.

As a nonprofit, we depend on the support of readers and supporters like you to keep this critical work going. We have already raised $25,000, thanks to matching funds. Our goal is to raise an additional $50,000 for our internship program to be fully funded this year.

Will you help us meet our goal and support the next generation of journalists? 🤝

💙 Click to donate - https://localnewsmatters.org/internships/

We’re thrilled to help these graduates and students with intensive mentoring and real-world experience on their way to getting those critical first jobs

01/19/2024

Local News Matters publisher Katherine Ann Rowlands will be speaking at an upcoming lecture series at The College Preparatory School about the rebirth of local news.

Please join us in supporting local news!

Thursday, February 8, 7:00 – 8:30 pm at College Prep’s Buttner Auditorium

Doors open at 6:30 pm for light refreshments and mingling, panel begins at 7:00 pm.

Tickets:
Free: Current College Prep Students, Faculty, and Staff
$15: College Prep Parents, Alumni Parents, and Alumni
$25: Non-College Prep Community Members

LiveTalk evening lecture series is engaging, thought-provoking lectures by local and national experts and celebrities on intriguing topics and current events.

12/21/2023

We’re proud to be a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News Network – an alliance of 425+ organizations working to build stronger, better-informed communities.

Find a newsroom near you:

Match me with nonprofit newsrooms…

12/14/2023

We won big last night at the 2023 San Francisco Press Club Journalistic Excellence Awards!

Blog/Commentary: Joe Dworetzky
Entertainment Review: Kalpana Mohan
Environment/Nature Report: Tony Hicks and Ray Saint Germain
General News: Joe Dworetzky
Photography/Feature: Harika Maddala
Series or Continuing Coverage: Joe Dworetzky

Congratulations to all the winners!

https://sfpressclub.org/2023/12/13/sfpc-46th-annual-greater-bay-area-journalism-awards-winners/