Looking Back and Celebrating our First Five Years

A note from Publisher Joe McCarthy:

In 2020, as local newsrooms closed and national coverage skipped over rural regions, a small group of reporters, editors, and community advocates came together to create something new—a digital nonprofit newsroom with no paywall based in the Sierra Nevada and rooted in mission rather than in profit.

We had a simple yet ambitious goal: to build a public service newsroom that strengthens civic life in Nevada and across the Sierra region. We were guided by the principles that “people come first,” “information should be free,” and “we’re partners, not competitors.”

We did not want to prioritize speed and volume, and feed the ever-demanding “breaking news” cycle.

Rather we aimed to tell stories that have deeper civic or environmental significance, building bridges of trust and understanding through our original reporting. Through our collaboration and partnerships, we hoped to ensure free, equitable access to high-quality news and information to everyone in our community, regardless of their ability to pay for it, no matter where they see us–on our website, email newsletters, podcast, or social media.

We wanted to tell the stories that too often go uncovered: stories about people working to solve problems, about communities navigating change, and about the shared environment that connects us all.

Our founding belief remains the same today: a more informed public makes for a healthier democracy.

From the beginning, we focused on coverage that advances understanding and accountability around issues that shape life in the Sierra region. We reported on public policy and governance, climate and environment, education, equity, and the human stories behind data and debate.

But it wasn’t just what we covered, but how and why we did it. Our guiding principles: transparency, fairness, and solutions-based journalism.

It’s working, and five years smarter, we’re still at it. We’re getting better every day due to the incredible work of our editorial team, people like Noah Glick, Scott King, Hannah Truby, and Alex Couraud, among our many talented contributors.

We believe that every story is a chance to build trust, an invitation to learn more about one another and the region we all depend on.

Like many mission-driven newsrooms, the Sierra Nevada Ally is powered by community support. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on a blend of individual donations, foundation grants, major gifts, and advertising to fund our reporting.

Every dollar supports our journalists’ work. We do not sell user data, restrict access with paywalls, or allow commercial interests to influence our coverage. And right now, your dollars are doubled thanks to our partners at NewsMatch. But, you have to get your donation in before the end of the year for it to count against the match.

The Ally has become more than a publication; it’s a shared commitment to curiosity and connection.

To everyone who has read, supported, or shared our work: thank you for believing that such journalism still matters. Together, we continue to build an informed, engaged, and resilient Sierra Nevada community.