Media News

National news site Axios plans to launch newsletter outlet in Dallas

It will be similar to this except it won't be actual paper and the stories will be chunky.

ecbloguer.com

Axios, a national news site based in Arlington, Virginia, is launching a Dallas-based daily newsletter that will collate local news stories and developments, featuring content generated by Axios staffers as well as culled from other news sites.

Dallas is one of eight cities that the organization has on its expansion list for 2021, along with Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Philadelphia, Columbus Ohio, Nashville, and Washington DC.

Axios co-founder and chief executive Jim VandeHei tells the Washington Post that these local operations will have two or three reporters on staff, who will cover regional politics, business, education, and major cultural events.

None of the cities will have offices or production facilities. Sales, promotion, and tech support will be handled at the company's headquarters, although they anticipate earning revenue from local advertisers.

"Most of our investment is going to be in journalism," VandeHei says. "If we can hire two or three of the best reporters in each market, we think we can develop a loyal following."

Their goals include "curate the best in local reporting and drive readers to their sources," and "deliver exclusive scoops and explore local trends."

Stories are broken into bite-size chunks — what newspapers used to call "chunky text" — with a headline "Why it matters." Just in case you need help navigating the bite-size chunks of copy.

The Twin Cities newsletter for May 20 starts with a staff-reported story about the pandemic's toll on movie theaters. It has six sets of bullets, which are devices to make copy easier to read/comprehend. Six sets of bullets in a single story is a lot.

There is also a staff-reported story on a new burger joint, which one presumes is considered a "major cultural event."

Other stories in the newsletter are recirculated stories from other sites in the Axios newsletter empire.

Axios was launched in January 2017 with a mission to provide "more efficient coverage" of the topics shaping the fast-changing world. To their credit, they say they will never have an opinion section. They're also transparent in their policies, and their content is free to readers.

They began launching local newsletters in January 2021, first in the Twin Cities, followed by five more cities: Charlotte, Denver, Des Moines, Tampa, and northwest Arkansas (which is "coming soon").

The Post story notes that HuffPost once tried a similar initiative before shutting it down. Axios has a valuable partnership with HBO where it broadcasts a weekly news and interview show.

The company plans to continue its expansion, with a goal of launching online newsletters in up to 50 cities and regions by 2022.

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Animal News

Dallas animal shelter invites residents to host a pet during holiday

DAS

Husky at Dallas Animal Services

Dallas Animal Services (DAS) is inviting the community to help bring pets “Home for the Holidays” by adopting or fostering during one of the shelter’s busiest times of the year.

DAS has achieved strong positive outcomes this quarter, including adoptions, foster-to-adopt placements, and underage foster placements, with 1,377 in October and 1,378 in November. The department is now working toward a December goal of 1,400 positive outcomes, with 588 completed so far this month.

“We are grateful for the support our community continues to show,” said Victoria Chittam Bennett, Assistant Director. “Every adoption opens a kennel for another pet in need, and the holidays are an especially meaningful time to welcome a new companion.”

This season, adopters will also have the chance to participate in the Friends of Dallas Animal Services (FODAS) 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways, fully funded and supported through donations from generous community supporters. For more information about this initiative, visit friendsofdas.org and watch out for announcements on social media.

Holiday staycations
Residents who may not be ready to adopt can still support DAS pets by participating in Silent Night Holiday Staycations, a short-term foster opportunity that gives dogs a relaxing break from the shelter during the holiday period.

Pickup dates are scheduled for December 20-21, with drop-off options on December 27-28 or January 3-4. Participants typically spend 1-3 hours at the shelter selecting a foster match, and contact with pets outside the home should be limited. Questions may be directed to DASFtA@dallas.gov.

“Holiday Staycations allow our dogs to decompress and show their personalities in a home environment,” said Amanda Earl, Assistant Director. “The insight we receive from these foster stays is invaluable in helping pets find permanent homes.”

DAS encourages the community to adopt, foster, volunteer, or share adoptable pets to help meet December’s lifesaving goals.
“Together, we can bring home the holidays for the pets relying on us,” said Director Paul Ramon.

For more information on adoptable pets, holiday programs, or ways to get involved, visit https://bedallas90.org/ or stop by the DAS Shelter at 1818 N. Westmoreland Rd.

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