Press Release | NOTUS and Allbritton Journalism Institute
NOTUS and the Allbritton Journalism Institute have announced that they are partnering with a group of local newsrooms around the country to provide their readers with critical accountability reporting from Washington.
Supported by a $500,000 grant from the Google News Initiative, the AJI-NOTUS Washington Bureau Initiative will give readers in local communities the reporting they need to understand what their elected representatives are doing in Congress — and how the actions taken by Congress, the White House and federal agencies are impacting their lives.
The journalism produced as part of the initiative will appear on NOTUS.org, as well as on the sites of the local news partners. They are:
Tim Grieve, the editor in chief of NOTUS and executive director of AJI, said that these newsrooms were chosen for the pilot program because they’re highly collaborative, independent and in close touch with their communities.
“In just a year, NOTUS has established itself as a nonpartisan news source that’s read and trusted by members of Congress, White House officials and other Washington insiders,” Grieve said. “We’re excited to partner with great local newsrooms to expand the reach of our journalism and to help voters back home keep tabs on their representatives and their government.”
The Allbritton Journalism Institute is a nonprofit educational organization launched in 2023 by Robert Allbritton, the former publisher of POLITICO. AJI trains aspiring journalists from across the country through a mix of classroom instruction and real-world experience reporting for NOTUS, the news site AJI launched in January 2024.
Each participating local newsroom will invest financially in the initiative to help cover some reporting costs. In addition to the Google News Initiative, the Washington Bureau Initiative is made possible by founding grants from The Allbritton Foundation, The Henry L. Kimelman Family Foundation and the Sandpiper Fund.
Leaders in the newsrooms say the initiative will help them deliver news that their readers need to make sense of Washington.
“The opportunity for Oklahoma Watch to deliver exclusive Capitol Hill reporting on issues critical to our state represents an important step that will benefit all Oklahomans.”
—Ted Streuli, executive director, Oklahoma Watch
“At a consequential moment in national politics, we’re pleased to partner with Allbritton Journalism Institute to bring our readers high-quality reporting from Washington, D.C. that searches for truth and sheds light on the halls of power. This first-of-its kind partnership allows both organizations to elevate our mission-driven journalism to foster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy.”
—Ramona Giwargis, co-founder and CEO of San José Spotlight
“NEWSWELL and our California news sites in Stockton, San Diego and Santa Barbara are excited to work with the Allbritton Journalism Institute. It’s crucial that local readers have quality independent news about the federal government and how decisions from Washington, D.C., impact their lives, jobs, schools and communities.”
—Nicole Carroll, executive director, NEWSWELL
“Verite News is proud to be part of the Washington Bureau Initiative to scrutinize issues facing Louisiana and keep tabs on our locally elected lawmakers.”
—Terry Baquet, editor-in-chief, Verite News
“It’s more important than ever to have a reporter on the ground in Washington who can cover our delegation and federal policy changes as they relate to North Carolina. This partnership will help us deepen and expand our ability to translate policy and political dynamics to our readers back home.”
—Kyle Villemain, founder and CEO, The Assembly
Local newsrooms and philanthropic leaders interested in partnering with AJI and NOTUS on the Washington Bureau Initiative should contact AJI’s director of development, Kevin Grant: kevingrant@aji.org.
Reporters with press inquiries about AJI, NOTUS or the Washington Bureau Initiative should contact AJI’s director of editorial outreach, Justin Peligri: justinpeligri@aji.org.
