Texas ObserverMar 27, 2023

We just found out the Texas Observer is shutting down this week. Unfortunately, we found out via our friends at @texastribune.

It's been an absolute pleasure interacting with everyone in the Fediverse as the Texas Observer, and we'll miss you.
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/26/texas-observer-shutting-down/

(Edit: We're not dead yet! There's life in this old pub still. See update at: https://texasobserver.social/@TexasObserver/110101912371078713 )

Texas Observer, the legendary liberal magazine, is shutting down

The 68-year-old progressive publication, which published Ronnie Dugger, Molly Ivins and Kaye Northcott, hit financial troubles and wasn’t able to broaden its audience, board members said.

The Texas Tribune
Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023
Texas Observer, legendary crusading liberal magazine, is closing and laying off its staff https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/26/texas-observer-shutting-down/?utm_campaign=trib-social-buttons&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social via @texastribune
Texas Observer, the legendary liberal magazine, is shutting down

The 68-year-old progressive publication, which published Ronnie Dugger, Molly Ivins and Kaye Northcott, hit financial troubles and wasn’t able to broaden its audience, board members said.

The Texas Tribune
Show threadTexas Observer
We understand some staff may be setting up a GoFundMe to support us. Stay tuned for info as we are able to share it.
Mar 27, 2023 at 12:45pmWeb
Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023

We will share updates here as long as possible. At the least, a GoFundMe should launch soon.

In case this account / instance is shut down, follow @kitoconnell or @oconnell for updates. #JournoLife #SaveTXO

Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023

Below is the letter the editors just sent to our Board of Directors, asking them to please allow us to try and save the Texas Observer, rather than simply shut us down.

It's too long for alt text so I will make an Unlisted thread below.

#SaveTXO #Journalism #Nonprofit

Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023

To the Members of the Texas Democracy Foundation:

Thank you for your service to our organization. We are writing you as the editorial leaders of the Texas Observer—a dedicated team that includes Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters and nationally known journalists who have served on other volunteer boards. We believe that your decision to proceed with layoffs on Friday can still be avoided and is premature.

Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023
Shuttering the publication would be extremely damaging to an editorial staff that was recently and successfully rebuilt after a previous crisis. It would adversely affect people who need their pay to cover cat food and rent, to pay for kids in college and people who have a baby on the way.
Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023

It would cause us to lose credibility with funders who currently pay for staff positions, including the McHam Fellow, and who have supported stories already published or in progress, including our series on women’s health and threats to Texas rivers.

We would like to move forward quickly. We would like your responses as soon as possible—but at least by close of business on Wednesday—to the following questions:

Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023
1. We believe that, in this moment of crisis, it would be best if the board members who previously tried to resign or who voted for—and continue to support—immediate closure would resign. This is not a demand, but a heartfelt request: It will be easier for us to raise money fast if we all believe that our organization can be saved and are willing to work together, staff and board. Please let us know as soon as possible who on the board is willing to work with the staff ...
Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023

... in a collaborative effort to do emergency fundraising.

2. We would like to propose adding one staff member to the board as a voting board member.

3. We propose recruiting one or more nationally known journalists with experience in assisting other journalism nonprofits in times of crisis as voting board members for the transition period.

4. We believe that long-time subscribers and supporters would step forward to help. ...

Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023
For this reason, as a staff, we support an immediate GoFundMe and emergency membership drive that will allow us, at the very least, to forestall layoffs planned for Friday, make better contingency plans, and approach key long-term funders on an emergency basis. We propose that the goal for this emergency fund be around $200,000. We would like your assurance that, as a board, there will be no layoffs for at least a month if this goal is reached. ...
Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023
5. As a staff, we’d also like to continue to seek out emeritus board members and key supporters of the Observer to make personal appeals to help save the organization and avoid layoffs. We don’t believe that a freeze in fundraising activities makes sense and indeed, publicity over possible layoffs will generate support. ...
Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023

Thanks for your attention to these requests.

Sincerely,

@gabrielarana, Editor-in-Chief
Kit @oconnell, Digital Editor
Lise Olsen, Senior Editor and Writer
Gayle Reaves, Editor-at-Large

Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023

Bottom line: the staff of the Texas Observer very much want to see our publication survive into its 70th year. But that will take the support of our board AND the generosity of many. We'll keep sharing here as long as we can. Follow @oconnell OR (not need to follow both) @kitoconnell for updates if something happens to this instance.

#SaveTXO #journalism

Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023

Here's that GoFundMe, which we just posted in a stand-alone toot but wanted to add to this big thread also. https://www.gofundme.com/f/laid-off-texas-observer-journalists-and-staff

Thanks for donating and sharing and everyone that's taken time to send well wishes. We are pretty overwhelmed and drained so may not be able to reply to each individually but we see you and appreciate you so much. 🤠

Show threadBrooke BinkowskiMar 27, 2023
@TexasObserver Donated. Sorry it isn't as much as I wish I had to offer. Wishing all the great journalists there the best of luck. I hope you can gain control of it somehow.
Show threadtriciaMar 28, 2023
The parent non-profit of @TexasObserver is planning to shutter them in a few days. They are (were? 😥) one of the few journalistic organizations shining a light in an increasingly dark place. I donated a little bit to help and thank them for their work; maybe you have some to spare too. https://gofund.me/0e53f240
Show threadThatAuntieMar 27, 2023
@TexasObserver
I had words, but they all just slipped out of my hands and shattered. Will keep an eye out for the GoFundMe.
Show threadTexas ObserverMar 27, 2023
@ThatAuntie https://www.gofundme.com/f/laid-off-texas-observer-journalists-and-staff
Show threadisotope239 🥸💻📚 🇺🇦Mar 27, 2023
@TexasObserver @ThatAuntie Done and done.
Show threadStargeezer SmithMar 28, 2023
@TexasObserver
So, Senator Cornyn is admitting he's a failure then, that his voters need a more effective Senator.
Show thread✨🏳️‍⚧️Timelordiroh 🇵🇸Mar 27, 2023
@TexasObserver @kitoconnell @oconnell I don't have much, but I would be honored to do pitch in a bit to support your great journalism. I discovered the observer from here on the fediverse but I have come to enjoy reading (even if I'm not from Texas. In many ways, somehow, where Texas goes, the rest of the country does). I hope something can be done to keep the observer going.
Show threadKit O'ConnellMar 27, 2023
@timelordiroh @TexasObserver @kitoconnell yes I wish more realized how important what happens here is to the rest of the country. We were sounding the alarm about so much that's happening nationwide or even worldwide... We will try to keep going a little longer if we are allowed and at the least will try to give the workers a good cushion to land on.
Show threadGoldaMar 27, 2023
@timelordiroh @TexasObserver @kitoconnell @oconnell they should have at least transfered the brand to a coop of the journalists. would have been the least they could do
Show threadKit O'ConnellMar 27, 2023
@gvelez17 @timelordiroh @TexasObserver @oconnell we need something like this in Texas
Show threadGoldaMar 27, 2023
@kitoconnell @timelordiroh @TexasObserver @oconnell maybe they could actually ask the board to do that? if there was enough pressure from readers?
Show thread✨🏳️‍⚧️Timelordiroh 🇵🇸Mar 27, 2023
@gvelez17 @kitoconnell @TexasObserver @oconnell this is such a great idea. If the old board doesn't want to do their job anymore, the least they can do is turn it over to the people that rely on the paper. I know it would take time, but maybe this could be the legacy, a coop to support progressive journalism and keep others from suffering the same fate. Is there a good way to contact the powers that be to digest something like this?
Show threadGoldaMar 27, 2023

@timelordiroh @kitoconnell @TexasObserver @oconnell well this seems to be the people https://www.texasobserver.org/board/

probably we need someone who knows them tho to broach this

The Texas Democracy Foundation

Parent board of the Texas Observer In 1994, Ronnie Dugger, founding editor and the publisher of the Texas Observer for 40 years, transferred ownership to the Texas Democracy Foundation, which was established as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization to publish and promote the Observer. Current board members LAURA HERNANDEZ HOLMES — President Laura Hernandez Holmes is a […]

The Texas Observer
Show threadKit O'ConnellMar 27, 2023
@gvelez17 @timelordiroh @TexasObserver @oconnell right now the staff's goal is just to stave off layoffs, but after that there would need to be many different options discussed to keep us alive longer.
Show threadCaseyLMar 27, 2023

@TexasObserver @kitoconnell @oconnell

Happy to help you fight the good fight, and will donate to the GoFundMe when it launches.

Show threadJoshMar 27, 2023

@TexasObserver @kitoconnell @oconnell Went to GFM to see if one had been created yet. Just want to confirm this is the right one: https://www.gofundme.com/f/laid-off-texas-observer-journalists-and-staff

Keep everyone posted! I regret having only recently really read your stuff and never actually signed up for a membership. The problem was me the whole time! 😭

Show threadKit O'ConnellMar 27, 2023
@joshwithouthats @TexasObserver @oconnell yes that is it thank you. We are still hoping to turn this around and talking to major donors.
Show threadEvan Urquhart 🏳️‍⚧️Mar 27, 2023
@TexasObserver <3 My heart is breaking for you all. I am so sorry.
Show threadTammy GentzelMar 27, 2023
@TexasObserver Perhaps give us a private account to follow all of you just in case the BoD shuts down this one.