This post originally ran in the June 7 Morning Report. Have the Morning Report sent to your email every weekday.
An Arizona State University nonprofit venture called Newswell has acquired the local news website Times of San Diego. Times has run as a for-profit under the owner and editor Chris Jennewein and will now convert to a nonprofit.
Jennewein’s article announcing the move said it would usher in a “New Model for Local Journalism.” He wouldn’t elaborate on the model.
“Over time you’ll see increasing coverage of news events here and across the state and we’re committed to covering San Diego responsibly for the long term,” he said. While Times had relied on advertising to support a crew of freelance writers and Jennewein, he said it would now seek philanthropic support.
Nicole Carroll, the executive director of Local News Transformation at ASU, who is leading Newswell, told Voice that she would not say more about plans for the site than the article included. “We’re going to share more in the weeks to come,” she said.