Washington State University Partners with Report for America to Expand News Fellowship Program
Washington State University (WSU) has partnered with the Boston-based nonprofit Report for America to launch an expanded version of the Washington News Fellowship program. This initiative aims to bolster local journalism by placing early-career journalists in newsrooms across Washington state. The program's initial iteration, which began funding in 2023, saw its budget pared last year, leading to this new partnership. Under the revamped model, newsrooms contribute approximately half of the fellows' salaries, with fundraising covering the remainder. Six newsrooms in Stevens, Grant, Chelan, Spokane, San Juan, and Cowlitz counties have been selected to host the first cohort of fellows, with five expected to start in January. The placements are designed to last two to three years, depending on agreements between the news outlets and the fellows. The program also includes coaching on building sustainable news businesses and developing fundraising strategies. 
