People attend a public meeting, with one person taking notes and another typing on a laptop in the foreground.
Stocktonia Executive Editor Scott Linesburgh, left, sits with Cassie Dickman, an assistant editor and reporter, at a Stockton City Council meeting on Aug. 20, 2024. (File photo by Edward Lopez/Stocktonia)

Stocktonia has been acquired by NEWSWELL, an innovative nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening local news outlets.

While Stocktonia concentrates on delivering quality community-focused news and resources, NEWSWELL focuses on delivering and improving business services to media organizations. The pioneering nonprofit will utilize its deep expertise, extensive media network and resources to develop innovative, sustainable solutions to publishing and operations of small- and mid-sized newspapers.

NEWSWELL is part of the ASU Media Enterprise at Arizona State University, recognized repeatedly as the nation’s most innovative university. ASU also is home to one of the nation’s premiere journalism schools, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Stocktonia will gain access to shared resources, best practices, industry innovations and new opportunities for revenue and digital advancements essential for growth and sustainability.

“Joining NEWSWELL is an exciting and unique opportunity to build and expand our coverage of Stockton and San Joaquin County,” said Scott Linesburgh, executive editor of Stocktonia. “As part of NEWSWELL, we’ll be part of an innovative team dedicated to defining the future of local media in today’s digital environment.”

Phillip Merlo, executive director of the San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum, founded Stocktonia and it was launched on June 1, 2022. A board of trustees, which included board President Tiffanie Panella, along with Robert Oakes, Doug Wilhoit, Bob Gutierrez, Rick Brewer, Jennifer Held and Rich Ibarra, led the nonprofit.

The board of trustees donated Stocktonia to NEWSWELL this summer.

Part of the mission of ASU, the nation’s largest public university, is to advance research and discovery of public value and assume responsibility for the economic, social and cultural health of the communities it serves. That is a key driver for NEWSWELL as more than half of the counties in the United States now have just one – or no – local news outlet, according to Northwestern University research. These “news deserts” aren’t good for a strong society and democracy, and NEWSWELL is focused on stabilizing and strengthening local news organizations.