A Call to Action: Support Fair, Local, Independent News and Information

A note from Sierra Nevada Ally Executive Editor Noah Glick:

I won’t sugarcoat it. The news industry is not in a great place. Trust in media is at an all-time low, newsrooms continue to shut down across the country, and society not only seems more divided than ever–it is.

Despite all the challenges ahead, we at the Sierra Nevada Ally believe in giving you an independent source of local information that is fact-based, fair, and focused on community. Because you deserve it.

Over the last year, we’ve delivered on a proof of concept on what we’re building. We’ve grown our team, created new products, and expanded our solutions-based and educational content, winning some awards in the process. We continue to be a place where young and early-career journalists can learn the craft of journalism the right way, and we even welcomed our first intern this summer!

In just two days, we kick off our year-end NewsMatch fundraising campaign, where every new donation between Nov. 1 – Dec. 31 (up to $1,000) is matched by our partners at NewsMatch. It’s the most critical fundraising campaign we do all year, and I’ll be blunt. We need your financial support now more than ever. Our future depends on it.

Your donations power the work of our reporters and editors to do amazing things. Look at all we’ve accomplished this year.

The Ally at the Legislature

This year, we had our first-ever civics reporter covering the 2025 Nevada Legislative Session. Alex Couraud brought you updates from Carson City in her weekly “Notes from the Leg” column, and shined a light on important cultural activities and communities.

New In-Depth Series

In 2025, Ally reporters and contributors brought you multiple series that gave a bit more space to important issues and helped shine a light on unique perspectives in our region.

Hannah Truby shared the story of Frank De Palma, who spent 22 years in solitary confinement in Nevada, before becoming an advocate for reform. Her work showcased what solitary confinement does to a human and asked tough questions about what it says about our society that we continue to use the practice.

Our outdoor contributor Matt Johanson brought you a six-part series exploring the Pacific Crest Trail, highlighting the wonderful people he met along his journey. His writing not only brings you closer to the trail itself, but encourages you to find your next adventure.

Contributor Mike Escobar kicked off a new ongoing series this year, called Vet Voices, where he explores the perspectives and experiences of local veterans in the region–and what they have to say about current issues happening in our community and our country.

Ally Audio Podcast

This year, we brought you a new podcast complete with regional news headlines, in-depth explainers, and even interviews and games–all to help break down important issues of the day. With nearly 30 episodes in the bank, we’re already planning for next year.

Topic-Focused Newsletters

We’re also in your inboxes, with two new email newsletters launched this year, Civics Center and Climate Current. Every week, you get a free email newsletter with context around key issues in civics and climate, along with links to other topical reporting and some trivia for fun.

A Growing Team

Even with all these exciting and incredible things we’ve been cooking, the thing I’m most proud of is the growth of the team in 2025.

Hannah Truby: Managing Editor

As a long-term Ally contributor, Hannah has offered her amazing reporting and photography talents, and now, we’re excited to have her help shape the editorial content and vision moving forward.

“What excites me most about the Ally is its commitment to real storytelling—stories rooted in our communities, our culture, and the people who make this region what it is. I’m proud to help share these stories with our readers, and I can’t wait for you to see what’s coming.”

Alex Couraud: Multimedia Director

Starting the year as the Ally’s civics reporter, Alex is now officially the organization’s Multimedia Director, where she oversees the Ally’s social media channels, while still reporting on key issues of immigration, culture and community.

“​​I have a strong passion for local storytelling. Using community voices to tell stories about how politics and policy affect people’s everyday lives, I found the perfect home for this work at the Ally. Whether covering issues at the Nevada Legislature or now working as the Multimedia Director, it is my honor to produce and work alongside our outstanding journalists as we find new and exciting ways to engage our audiences.”

But if I can be honest with you, we aren’t paying our talented people what they deserve–and what they could command on the open market. We need to change that in 2026, and we can, with your support.

Double Your Impact

Our work helps you better understand the issues, people, and stories that make up life in our region. Your donations make it all possible.

Please consider making a financial contribution during our year-end fundraising campaign, where all new individual donations between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 are matched up to $1,000 thanks to our partners at NewsMatch.

Thanks for reading, and for being a part of our story at the Sierra Nevada Ally. We’re honored to be a source of trusted information to the community.

Noah Glick,
Executive Editor