Focus: “A thoughtful approach to news”; original reporting on state, regional news, politics, health, science, business, sports; a “community voices” section; blogger commentary; book club; multi-media component; national/world news from Christian Science Monitor news service

Started: 2007 (end of)

Staff: CEO, Editor Joel Kramer started project; other staff are a managing editor, web editor, director of operations, editor, news editor, advertising director; launched with 25 journalists contribution agreement

Funding: non-profit: start-up funding of $850,000 came from four families, according to site; foundation support from James L. Knight Foundation; Blandin Foundation to launch Greater Minnesota Project; as of June 30, 2008, site had 904 member-donors contributing from $10 to $10,000, according to site; advertising sold. 

Site: minnpost.com

Our mission is to provide high-quality journalism for news-intense people who care about Minnesota. We intend to focus sharply on that mission, and not get distracted by trying to be all things or serve all people.

MinnPost.com provides news and analysis Monday through Friday, based on reporting by professional journalists, most of whom have decades of experience in the Twin Cities media.

…Our goal is to create a sustainable business model for this kind of journalism, supported by corporate sponsors, advertisers, and members who make annual donations. High-quality journalism is a community asset that sustains democracy and quality of life, so we are asking people who believe in it to support our work.

Sample stories: “Teamsters’ early endorsement of Rybak unusual boost for ‘unofficial’ guv candidate”; “Scientist offers dire scenario at climate-change symposium in Minneapolis”; “Update: Amid ‘tough week’ of turmoil, Minnesota ACORN folks say they’re continuing outreach work”

Media Mentions: from Knight Foundation press release, August 2007: “MinnPost to launch later this year with partial funding from Knight Foundation”; N

Focus: Arizona state capitol, legislative issues

Launched: January 2009

Founders: 4 reporters laid off from the East Valley Tribune.

Funding: LLC owners, subscription service  paywall.

Web site: arizonaguardian.com

Location: Phoenix

Sample stories: “[Gov.  Jan] Brewer unveils budget, girds for legislative battle”; “[Sen. John] McCain staffer wanted by Phoenix authorities”

From “About  us” page: “[The founding reporters] also have broken ground in the creation of a new business model for Arizona journalism. Epler, Giblin, Reinhart and Welch serve as equal co-owners of Arizona Guardian, L.L.C., the Guardian’s parent company. Joining the four is publisher Bob Grossfeld who is the fifth equal co-owner and responsible for all non-editorial operations.”

In the news: Here’s a February 2009 MediaShift story — good depth — about The Arizona Guardian (and Heat City, another AZ news start-up).