You Asked, We Answered

Q: Why a new news operation in Ames?

A: The goal is to provide Ames and surrounding Mid-Iowa communities with a better, more relevant, more thorough, more complete and more consistent local news source.

Q: What communities will this cover?

A: The Ames Daily Voice will focus on Ames, with additional coverage of Story County and nearby communities, including Boone and Nevada.

Q: Who will run Mid-Iowa Community News?

A: Currently there is a four-member, volunteer board of directors, in addition to an 11-member community council. Professional staff will be hired to manage and operate the Ames Voice.

Q: What’s the difference between Mid-Iowa Community News and the Ames Daily Voice?

A: Mid-Iowa Community News is the nonprofit entity that will operate the Ames Voice, the nonprofit’s news organization.

Q: What will the Ames Daily Voice cover?

A: Community news — city councils, school boards, elections, businesses, sports, arts, obituaries, and features. There will be local editorials and letters to the editor. Relevant local journalism is the bottom line.

Q: Who will staff the Voice?

A: The newsroom will be run by professional journalists hired in a full-time capacity as well as part-time students who will be paid for their work. All will follow the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics. Check the website for job listings as we get closer to launch.

Q: How will you pay for this?

A: Nonprofit, community journalism has been growing across the country in recent years. We’ll seek support from around Mid-Iowa, including foundations, businesses, and donors, as well as national foundations.

Q: Is there an office?

A: For now, the Ames Voice will utilize various community spaces and meeting resources until it can afford a permanent office space.

Q: Do I need to pay for a subscription for the content?

A: Our content will be free to everyone, but as a nonprofit, community support is required. Sustaining donations, sponsorships, advertisements and other revenue sources will be used to subsidize the work and content.

Q: Will there be a print newspaper?

A: There will not be a print newspaper. Content will be published on a website and distributed via a free subscription-based regular email publication and curated social media channels.

Q: Can I advertise in the Ames Voice?

A: Yes, in addition advertising we will also collect donations, grants, and sponsorships to fund the organization.

Q: How can I help?

A: Please read and subscribe to the newsletters. Tell your friends and colleagues about us, share our work, and donate to support community journalism.

Q: How do I contact Mid-Iowa Community News?

A: Email us at: board@midiowacommunitynews.org

Q: How will the Voice engage with its communities?

A: The Voice plans to hold/sponsor regular lectures, town halls and other relevant community events to be an active member of its community.

Q: Will this actually work?

A: With community support, it will, but we need readers, subscribers, and donors — big and small. Community engagement is going to be essential to the success of this endeavor.