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Austin Weekly News is a long‑standing community newspaper serving Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side of the city. Established in 1986, it has built a reputation for deeply local reporting and a strong focus on civic engagement, neighborhood issues and community life. Its masthead motto — “Working together to reflect the Austin Community” — highlights its mission to capture and amplify the voices and experiences of local residents.

Austin is one of Chicago’s 77 officially designated community areas and, with a population of about 100,000, one of its largest. At the city’s western edge and bordering Oak Park, Cicero and Elmwood Park, the area is known for its deep community roots, active neighborhood organizations and a long history of residents shaping local development and culture. 

Austin Weekly News produces a weekly print edition with a circulation of about 4,000 and operates a full digital newsroom. The publication elevates the voices and experiences of Austin residents through original reporting on public meetings, local businesses, neighborhood events and the policies and decisions of public agencies that directly affect the community.

In February 2026, Growing Community Media, which published Austin Weekly News, donated the publication’s assets to NEWSWELL. The move supports the newsroom’s continued growth and expands its digital reach while maintaining its longstanding commitment to serving the Austin community.

Today, Austin Weekly News remains a vital and trusted source of neighborhood‑centered journalism, providing coverage shaped by the history, diversity and resilience of one of Chicago’s most storied communities.

Beach & Bay Press is dedicated to delivering hyperlocal news and information that focuses on the people, issues and events shaping life in Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and Mission Bay areas in San Diego, California. 

The news outlet has a digital footprint in Times of San Diego, and the print product is delivered to about 16,000 residents in the area. The print edition publishes every other Friday.

The publication keeps residents, businesses and visitors informed and engaged with their neighborhoods by providing local news and sports, business profiles, community events and more.

Beach & Bay was formerly part of San Diego Newspaper Group. The publication joined NEWSWELL in May 2025.

Forest Park Review is a storied community newspaper that has covered life in the village of Forest Park, Illinois, for more than a century. Since its early years, the publication has built a reputation for independent reporting that reflects the village’s personality — a tight‑knit, small suburb with a strong sense of identity, a lively commercial district and residents who take pride in their community’s history and future.

Located just west of Chicago and neighboring Oak Park, Forest Park blends historic housing, longtime family‑owned businesses and an active civic culture. Forest Park Review mirrors that character by centering its journalism on the issues shaping local life, including village government, schools, public safety, development, neighborhood traditions and the everyday stories that define the community.

The paper publishes a weekly print edition and maintains a full digital presence, supported by extensive archives that date back to 1917. Those archives trace more than 100 years of local milestones, debates, celebrations and challenges, underscoring the publication’s longstanding role as a chronicle of Forest Park’s evolution.

In February 2026, Growing Community Media, which published Forest Park Review, donated the publication’s assets to NEWSWELL. The move supports the paper’s long‑term sustainability and digital growth while preserving its mission to serve Forest Park with independent, community‑centered reporting.

Today, Forest Park Review continues to serve as a trusted and deeply rooted source of coverage, helping residents stay informed about the decisions, people and institutions that shape their village.

La Jolla is a vibrant community about 12 miles north of downtown San Diego. It boasts beautiful beaches, a plethora of cultural activities and fine restaurants.

It is home to the La Jolla Village News, a nonprofit publication dedicated to delivering hyperlocal news and information that focuses on the people, issues and events shaping life in La Jolla, California.

The news outlet has a digital footprint in Times of San Diego, and the free print product is delivered to about 20,500 residents in the area. The print edition publishes every other Friday.

The publication keeps residents, businesses and visitors informed and engaged with their neighborhoods by providing local news and sports, business profiles, community events and more.

La Jolla Village News was formerly part of San Diego Newspaper Group, which was led by publisher Julie Main. The group had grown into one of the region’s most respected independent news organizations, known for its commitment to accurate reporting, neighborhood storytelling and community connection.

San Diego Newspaper Group joined NEWSWELL in May 2025.

The La Mesa Courier is a nonprofit community newspaper dedicated to delivering hyperlocal news and information that focuses on the people, issues and events shaping life in La Mesa, California.

The news outlet has a digital footprint in Times of San Diego, and the free print product is delivered to about 18,000 residents in the area. The print edition publishes once a month.

The publication keeps the community connected and informed through in-depth local news, sports coverage, business features and updates on events and neighborhood happenings.

La Mesa Courier was formerly part of San Diego Newspaper Group, which was led by publisher Julie Main. The group had grown into one of the region’s most respected independent news organizations, known for its commitment to accurate reporting, neighborhood storytelling and community connection.

San Diego Newspaper Group joined NEWSWELL in May 2025.

Mission Times Courier is a monthly community newspaper serving the San Diego neighborhoods of Allied Gardens, Del Cerro, College Area, Grantville, San Carlos and parts of La Mesa. San Diego State University also is within the publication’s coverage area.

Its mission is to inform and engage residents by highlighting neighborhood news, community voices and local civic life.

The news outlet has a digital footprint in Times of San Diego, and the free print product has a circulation of about 25,000.

Mission Times Courier was formerly part of San Diego Newspaper Group, which was led by publisher Julie Main. The group had grown into one of the region’s most respected independent news organizations, known for its commitment to accurate reporting, neighborhood storytelling and community connection.

San Diego Newspaper Group joined NEWSWELL in May 2025.

The Peninsula Beacon is the trusted source for hyperlocal journalism in San Diego’s Point Loma and Ocean Beach neighborhoods.

What sets the Beacon apart is its deep-rooted connection to the community — highlighting neighborhood voices, spotlighting local businesses and covering stories that matter most to residents

The news outlet has a digital footprint in Times of San Diego, and the free print product has a circulation of about 18,500. It publishes every other Friday.

Peninsula Beacon was formerly part of San Diego Newspaper Group, which was led by publisher Julie Main. The group had grown into one of the region’s most respected independent news organizations, known for its commitment to accurate reporting, neighborhood storytelling and community connection.

San Diego Newspaper Group joined NEWSWELL in May 2025.

Riverside–Brookfield Landmark is a community newspaper serving the villages of Riverside and Brookfield, Illinois — villages just west of Chicago known for their historic architecture and strong civic traditions. Founded in 1985, Landmark became a respected source of independent, community‑driven reporting that highlights local government actions, school news, neighborhood issues and the everyday stories that shape these great towns. 

Riverside, a National Historic Landmark community designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and Brookfield, home to the Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo, bring together a mix of historic homes, active commercial corridors and engaged residents with a deep interest in local decision‑making. The Landmark’s coverage reflects this landscape by focusing on village boards, public safety, education, community development and the local conversations that influence civic life.

The publication maintains a weekly print edition and a robust digital presence, supported by searchable archives and strong library access that help residents track issues, explore local history and stay informed. Its longstanding commitment to accuracy and accessibility has made it a trusted fixture across the region.

In February 2026, Growing Community Media, which published Riverside–Brookfield Landmark, donated the publication’s assets to NEWSWELL. The move strengthens the outlet’s long‑term sustainability and expands its digital reach while preserving its focus on independent, community‑centered reporting.

Today, the Riverside–Brookfield Landmark remains a vital news source for these suburban communities, offering deeply local journalism that keeps residents connected to the decisions, people and everyday stories that define their towns.

San Diego Downtown News captures the energy, grit and charm of life in the heart of the city. From the buzz of Gaslamp nightlife to civic updates, small business spotlights, arts coverage and waterfront happenings, this publication keeps readers plugged into what makes downtown tick.

Downtown News is a nonprofit publication dedicated to delivering hyperlocal news and information that focuses on the people, issues and events shaping life in downtown San Diego.

The news outlet has a digital footprint in Times of San Diego, and the free print product has a circulation of about 8,000. The print edition publishes once a month.

Downtown News was part of San Diego Newspaper Group, led by publisher Julie Main. The group had grown into one of the region’s most respected independent news organizations, known for its commitment to accurate reporting, neighborhood storytelling and community connection.

San Diego Newspaper Group joined NEWSWELL in May 2025.

San Diego Uptown News shines a spotlight on some of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods – Hillcrest, Mission Hills, and the cultural heart of the region, Balboa Park. With its finger on the pulse of local life, Uptown News delivers smart, community-driven coverage of arts, business, food and civic happenings that matter most to Uptown residents.

Whether it’s a neighborhood story or a citywide issue seen through a local lens, Uptown News captures the character, color and conversation that make San Diego’s Uptown so unique.

The news outlet has a digital footprint in Times of San Diego, and the free print product has a circulation of about 15,500. It publishes bi-weekly.

Uptown News was part of San Diego Newspaper Group, which was led by publisher Julie Main. The group had grown into one of the region’s most respected independent news organizations, known for its commitment to accurate reporting, neighborhood storytelling and community connection.

San Diego Newspaper Group joined NEWSWELL in May 2025.

The Santa Barbara News-Press has been a fixture in the modern history of one of America’s most iconic cities. The newsroom began its early life under a series of nameplates, including the Santa Barbara Post, starting in the mid-1800s. Its honors since then include the industry’s most coveted award, a Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing.

News-Press journalists witnessed the history and growth of the place often called the American Riviera: The first tourist hotel in 1875. The arrival of the railroad a few years later. The 1909 founding of a state Normal School, which would go on to become the University of California, Santa Barbara. The first missile launch from the nearby Air Force base in 1958. 

Its journalists also covered the region’s precious natural resources, including one that became its most divisive: oil. The Santa Barbara coastline became the scene of some of the earliest offshore drilling efforts. 

The newspaper, a family-owned dynasty for decades, was sold to different owners, and later to The New York Times Co. It returned to local ownership in 2000, but faced new conflicts between employees and management, and ultimately, bankruptcy. Early in 2024, the News-Press name and digital archives were purchased by investors who described themselves as “local kids who care about our history.” In 2025, they donated this legacy to NEWSWELL, a nonprofit devoted to finding new ways to help local news – and local communities – thrive. 

Santa Barbara remains one of America’s most iconic places. Environmental activism and oil drilling both continue; climate change, wildfires and questions about water supplies still challenge communities; housing supplies and questions about growth and economics continue to challenge society. Space rockets, part of a new U.S. space race, still launch from nearby Vandenberg AFB. UC Santa Barbara is now one of the largest UC campuses and one of the region’s largest employers, and the American Riviera is now home to a growing bioscience and technology industry. 

The News-Press, now a part of NEWSWELL, will once again tell those stories. Before we relaunch, we’re starting with listening tours in the community. What do the people of Santa Barbara need and want this historic news brand to be in its next chapter? What information needs can it help fill? How can the News-Press best serve Santa Barbara, more than 100 years after its founding, upholding the best long-standing journalism values while innovating for a sustainable future?

Join the conversation and sign up for updates here.

In 2021, a small group of local journalists in Stockton, California, recognized a growing problem. 

Their hometown – some 320,000 people, in a county of nearly 800,000 – faced many of the most important issues in society. Its agricultural and shipping-port industries had faced a changing economy. Its civic institutions had faced controversies, budget shortfalls and historical inequities. But now Stockton also faced a critical lack of independent reporting on current events. 

Legacy news sources continued to shrink, and unreliable information online was filling the void. There weren’t enough journalists to scrutinize government agencies and local elected officials. 

Those journalists also envisioned the solution. It was a nonprofit, digital-native news source called Stocktonia. It would be devoted to the most important news in Stockton and San Joaquin County and guided by the best practices in journalism. After nearly two years of planning, Stocktonia launched in 2022. 

The newsroom covered the ongoing turmoil of civic events: Changing oversight and policies on a rising wave of homelessness. Scathing new reports revealing evidence of misspending and public corruption. Oil spills and pollution in the fragile Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta – including the sinking and refloating of an iconic vintage cruise ship. 

In 2024, Stocktonia became a part of NEWSWELL, devoted to finding new ways to help local news – and local communities – thrive. Today, this startup, digital-native website employs one of the largest teams of local journalists in the region. With community support, it continues to grow. 

Editor Scott Linesburgh, who has worked as a journalist in Stockton for the past 35 years, leads a team that is proudly local and devoted to the city they call home. Visit the site here. Contact the newsroom at info@stocktonia.org.

San Diego County is a study in size and contrast. The fifth most-populous county in the U.S., it’s home to as many people as Iowa and as large as Connecticut. 

It is one of the leading producers of agricultural products and the world center for unmanned aircraft and smartphone technology. Its naval facilities and Marine installations make up the largest military concentration on Earth. And just south of San Diego is Tijuana, the world’s busiest border crossing.

As local media becomes more divided among specialized topics and paywalled sites, Times of San Diego serves this unique community with timely, comprehensive news that’s accessible to everyone. 

Times of San Diego’s promise is to be both comprehensive – with every local story that matters – and quick, with daily news in brief, easy-to-read formats. If news affects San Diegans, whether it’s from Tijuana, Sacramento, Washington or overseas, the site promises to keep you informed.

The newsroom covers politics and crime, business and sports, education and arts, military and science, and health and life. It devotes coverage to the breadth of the region’s diverse communities. It partners with other news sources to deliver in-depth news on topics that matter to San Diego. And in 2024, Times of San Diego became a part of NEWSWELL, devoted to finding new ways to help local news – and local communities – thrive. 

The San Diego Press Club has consistently recognized the Times of San Diego for excellence in journalism. Our contributing editors have picked up more than 165 individual awards, and the site has been named the best local news website eight times. 

Times of San Diego is led by Andrew Keatts, who has been a distinguished journalist in San Diego for 15 years. Keatts was a reporter for The Daily Transcript, an investigative reporter and later managing editor at Voice of San Diego, and most recently launched Axios San Diego. In 2018, the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists named him journalist of the year. Visit the site here. Contact the newsroom at info@timesofsandiego.com.

Since 1980, Wednesday Journal has served as a central source of civic and community reporting for the suburban villages of Oak Park and River Forest, offering readers an independent and nonpartisan look at the decisions, debates and daily experiences that shape life just west of Chicago.

Oak Park and River Forest are adjacent, historically significant communities known for their architectural heritage, diverse populations and strong traditions of civic engagement. With walkable neighborhoods, active business districts and a deep investment in public education and local governance, these suburbs have long valued rigorous reporting and open public dialogue. The publication plays a key role in this landscape by covering local government, schools, public institutions and the issues that directly influence residents’ daily lives.

Wednesday Journal produces a weekly print edition and publishes its content online, offering continuous coverage of public meetings, neighborhood developments and community events. The publication serves two communities with a combined population of more than 60,000 and maintains an engaged, long‑established readership across both suburbs.

In February 2026, Growing Community Media, which published Wednesday Journal, donated the publication’s assets to NEWSWELL. The move supports the newsroom’s long‑term sustainability and grows its digital reach while preserving its core mission of delivering independent, community‑centered journalism to Oak Park and River Forest.

Today, Wednesday Journal remains a trusted and essential news source, providing coverage shaped by the history, diversity and civic energy of two of the Chicago region’s most distinctive communities.