Click Here for details.
Save Save Save Save
Published in the Austin Weekly News on February 25, 2026
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN
Staff Reporter
For the first time in the newspapers' long histories, Wednesday Journal, Austin Weekly News, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and Forest Park Review will have out-of-state owners.
The papers, run as nonprofit publications under the Growing Community Media umbrella since 2020, are now part of nonprofit journalism group NEWSWELL's portfolio of publications. The GCM papers are the organization's first titles outside of the state of California and the only regular weekly print publications included among the group's portfolio.
No immediate changes for the papers are anticipated.
GCM will dissolve as an entity following a transition period, with the organization donating its publications to NEWSWELL. All of GCM's employees are being offered employment by NEWSWELL, including Executive Director Max Reinsdorf, who until now carried an interim title, and longtime Editor Dan Haley.
The move comes amid longstanding financial issues for GCM, with the organization terminating its lease last summer for the Oak Park office space that staffers had occupied since the 1980s.
This deal represents the clearest path to financial sustainability for the papers in recent memory, Reinsdorf said in an interview.
"Our struggles showed that we didn't necessarily have a guaranteed path to continued news coverage for the decades to come, and that was a realization that the GCM board had over the summer," said Reinsdorf. "We have a path towards standing the test of time with NEWS- WELL, and it puts us in a position to be stronger and more resilient than we were before."
Founded in 2024, NEWSWELL is a nonprofit affiliated with Arizona State University (ASU) that provides centralized support to bolster local publications in areas including legal support, business strategy, audience development, marketing and human resources administration. Reporting and editing remains local. That help is desperately needed for the four papers, Reinsdorf said.
"Donating these assets to NEWSWELL allows us to get the expertise and the resources that GCM had been seeking that had been out of reach for us," he said. "From a financial perspective, there's revenue upside and there's also savings to be had by NEWSWELL taking over the backend functions."
"It allows me to see a much stronger financial picture for us."
The group's other publications include Stocktonia covering Stockton, CA, Times of San Diego covering San Diego County and Santa Barbara News-Press, the onetime bankrupt paper of record for the oceanside city that NEWSWELL recently helped resurrect as a digital publication.
The group has ambitions to expand to wherever local news needs support, said NEWSWELL's Executive Director Nicole Carroll. The GCM newspapers fit exactly what the group was looking for, Carroll said.
"I'm really impressed with the four news titles, all of them make a difference in their communities, all of them are the source of truth for their communities, they're all respected," she said. "That's really important for NEWSWELL; when we partner with someone — it's important that they do solid journalism, that they're of their communities and that they're respected by those communities. The four titles check all those boxes."
Carroll also works as a professor of practice at Arizona State University's famed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and previously served as top editor for the Arizona Republic and editor-in-chief of USA Today. She said that bringing the GCM papers into the NEWSWELL portfolio also makes sense as another link between Chicago and Arizona, alongside Cubs and White Sox spring training, Portillo's and Lou Malnati's franchise locations and Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.
"There's a well-worn path from Chicago to Phoenix," she said.
NEWSWELL's mission comes in response to the widespread closures of local news outlets and the dramatic reduction of journalism jobs seen across the country over the last 20 years. Hyper local outlets, like the four GCM papers, are worth protecting, Carroll said.
"We want to go where we're needed, wanted and can make a difference," Carroll said.
The papers' newsgathering and editorial processes will remain unchanged, except for some additional support on investigative projects that NEWSWELL will provide, said Haley, who was a founder of Wednesday Journal in his mid-20s. NEWSWELL offers journalism support to its network, including investigative editing and legal support for public records requests and pre-publication review.
"The goal we have had since the very start was to create intensely local, authentic, independent journalism," Haley said. "This step is a big step, but it's in my mind an extension of everything we've done up until now. This is another variation on the goal of creating an independent viable local news model, and I'm really excited about what this offers us.
"We've found an entity that's as focused on legit local news as we are."
The papers will continue on their regular print schedules for the foreseeable future, Haley and Reinsdorf said.
While the NEWSWELL donation will buy the papers more room to breathe, the deal doesn't represent an immediate exit from choppy financial waters, Reinsdorf said. The operations of the papers will still largely be paid for through local fundraising and subscription and advertising revenue.
True financial sustainability for the papers will almost certainly involve a more formalized reader membership program, Reinsdorf said.
"It is not a money cannon; we're still responsible for fundraising at a similar level," he said. "One of the first major goals will be to launch a membership program. We need a reader revenue model to generate new income and to reinvest in our newsroom."
View all Illinois public notices 24 hours a day - publicnoticeillinois.com
Member Log-In + Contact Us + Events + PressLines + Job Bank + Advertising Toolbox + Upload Pages
Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: Powered by FeedBurner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 25, 2026 Contact Information: Betsy McCloskey/Plaid Swan Inc. (563) 513-9499 betsy@plaidswan.com
Elgin, IL and Santa Rosa, CA — Corporate American Family Credit Union (CAFCU) and North Bay Credit Union (NBCU) announced today that their merger will become effective March 1, 2026. Together, the two organizations have formed a stronger, more versatile, and community-driven financial institution serving members across the Midwest and Northern California. The merger reflects a partnership built on shared values: exceptional member service, deep community commitment, and a mutual vision for long-term sustainable growth. “We are excited about the opportunity to bring our organizations together in a way that amplifies what both credit unions do best,” said Stefanie Rupert, president & CEO of CAFCU. “North Bay has built something special; our teams are aligned in mission and mindset. By combining our strengths, innovative technology, personalized service, and strong community presence, we believe we can deliver even greater value for all members.” Based on the most recent financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, North Bay Credit Union reported just over $114 million in assets. The combined organization benefits from greater scale, expanded product offerings, enhanced digital capabilities, and increased operational efficiencies. This transaction was completed as an assisted merger, following extensive collaboration, regulatory coordination, due diligence, and thoughtful planning by leadership teams. “North Bay Credit Union has always centered its work around the needs of our local communities, and the decision to pursue this merger was made intentionally to elevate that commitment with long-term stability, resilience, and growth,” said Darlene Brown, interim CEO of North Bay Credit Union. “Partnering with CAFCU allows us to strengthen our foundation, expand our reach, and enhance the services we can provide while staying rooted in our mission. Through Greenbax Marketplace, we also bring a unique and compliant line of business that complements CAFCU’s offerings. Both organizations are stronger together, and we look forward to what this new chapter will bring.” CAFCU’s continued expansion strengthens its presence in California while reinforcing its long-standing commitment to sustainable growth and community-focused service. Both institutions emphasized that the merger is the result of extensive collaboration and careful planning designed to ensure a seamless transition for members and employees. “This partnership reflects a shared belief in building a stronger future for our members, our teams, and the communities we proudly serve,” the organizations said in a joint statement. About Corporate American Family Credit Union (CAFCU) Corporate American Family Credit Union (CAFCU) is a long-standing, member-focused credit union headquartered in Elgin, IL. Built on decades of trust, service, and community commitment, CAFCU continues to expand its reach and capabilities through strategic growth initiatives. CAFCU remains dedicated to strengthening members’ financial well-being through accessible products, personalized service, and a people first philosophy. About North Bay Credit Union (NBCU) Founded in 1948, North Bay Credit Union has grown into a trusted community financial institution with just over $114 million in assets as of December 31, 2025. NBCU remains committed to empowering individuals, families, and local businesses with accessible, people-first financial solutions rooted in local common bonds and community values. NBCU offers compliant cannabis banking services and payment solutions through its subsidiary, Greenbax Marketplace.
####
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 17, 2026 Contact Information: Katie Lewis (217) 525-8012 katie@ioaweb.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2026 Media Contact Information: Carrie Skogsberg carrie.skogsberg@countryfinancial.com
COUNTRY Financial and the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) are providing an opportunity for local high schools to win $5,000 to benefit their athletic department and student athletes through the “Sport Your School Giveaway.” Individuals can enter their school to win through May 30, 2026. This is the second time COUNTRY has held the Sport Your School Giveaway. Staunton High School was the winner of the first giveaway, which ran during the first half of the 2025-2026 school year. COUNTRY has been a sponsor of the IHSA for more than 50 years and is the presenting sponsor for 40 IHSA state championships for various high school sports throughout the 2025-2026 school year. “COUNTRY has a highly valued, longstanding relationship with the IHSA,” said Nikki Johnson, vice president of marketing at COUNTRY. “Schools are the lifeblood of our communities, and we are proud to be part of bringing championship opportunities to students and communities throughout the state.” Learn more and enter your school to win. Learn more about the partnership between COUNTRY and the IHSA.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2026 Media Contact Information: Bob Hubberts (847) 508-4995 bhubberts@firstillinoisrobotics.org
Chicago, Illinois – Creativity and science will come together this Saturday at the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge Illinois State Championship at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, Illinois, where 56 teams of 9- to 14-year-old students and coaches will demonstrate their problem-solving skills, creative thinking, teamwork, competitive play, sportsmanship, and sense of community. The tournament is open to the public. The robot table competition portion of the event starts at Noon on Saturday, February 14th. More than 650,000 students in over 75 countries will participate in the FIRST® UNEARTHED season. Teams will have to program robots, using LEGO Education technology, to solve a set of missions on an obstacle course set on a thematic playing surface. For the UNEARTHED challenge students will unearth hidden treasures and piece together the past as they embark on this thrilling journey of discovery. Students will identify and research a problem related to the season theme and then design and create a possible solution. They will also identify a mission strategy and design, create, and code a robot to complete missions during a 2.5-minute Robot Game. The competition is judged in three areas: innovation project; robot design, and core values, which embody aspects of teamwork and good sportsmanship. Top robot game scores are also honored. FIRST LEGO League is an international program for 9- to 14-year-olds (ages vary by country) created in a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Group in 1998 to get students excited about science and technology – and teach them valuable career and life skills. Using LEGO® Education technologies and materials, students work alongside adult mentors to design, build, and program autonomous robots and create an innovative solution to a problem as part of their research project. After several intense weeks, the competition season culminates at high-energy, sports-like tournaments. Like any other organized “sport,” teams also fundraise, create a team identity, and go on field trips. The tournament is being run by FIRST Illinois Robotics, a 501 c3 organization focused on delivering FIRST programs in Illinois. Contact us for a list of the area schools and youth organizations with teams participating in the competition. About FIRST® FIRST® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school, in structured after-school programs or by other organizations or groups of parents. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges. An international not-for-profit organization founded in 1989, FIRST has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.
### To learn more about FIRST programs in Illinois, go to www.firstillinoisrobotics.org.
Click Image to Find the IPA Disaster Checklist!