The Mendocino Voice, an independent nonprofit news site serving Mendocino County since 2016, and KZYX Radio, an NPR affiliate public radio station serving the region, have formed a reporting partnership to expand local news coverage.
Sydney Fishman, a Mendocino Voice reporter who is part of the California Local News Fellowship program, will deliver a weekly news report to listeners starting in August.
KZYX recently announced the development of brand-new programming, including new public affairs and music programs, which debuted earlier this month. Fishman is helping KZYX to expand its local news coverage for the station’s morning newscasts during NPR’s “Morning Edition.” This will support KZYX in continuing its comprehensive coverage that reaches listeners in every corner of Mendocino County.
“I’m excited to continue my journalism work in the Northern California communities that first made me fall in love with radio as a high school student,” said Fishman. “Working with KZYX Radio will give me an incredible chance to report on some of the issues and policies that impact rural communities the most.”
Originally from southern Humboldt County, Fishman has previously volunteered at KMUD Community Radio Station and won awards for her podcasting work in NYU Furman Center’s podcast, “In Our Backyard,” which covered the housing crisis in Inwood, New York City.
I’m excited to continue my journalism work in the Northern California communities that first made me fall in love with radio as a high school student. … Working with KZYX Radio will give me an incredible chance to report on some of the issues and policies that impact rural communities the most.
Sydney fishman
As part of the California Local News Fellowship program, for the next two years Fishman will cover stories in Mendocino County for the Mendocino Voice, which recently merged with the nonprofit Bay City News Foundation. The fellowship program is a multi-year, state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local journalism by placing journalists in newsrooms across the state.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome Sydney to the team and excited for this new partnership with KZYX,” said Katherine Ann Rowlands, founder and executive director of Bay City News Foundation. “Together, we aim to bring meaningful, in-depth local news coverage to the communities of Mendocino County.”
Dina Polkinghorne, KZYX interim general manager, said she’s pleased that Fishman’s reporting will help keep residents informed.
“If all politics is local, for us that starts right here in Mendocino County with our board of supervisors and local city councils,” said Polkinghorne. “Working together on behalf of our listenership, our partnership with the Mendocino Voice and Bay City News Foundation is exactly the solution we need at this moment to keep our listeners informed as they head to the ballot box this fall.”
For Mendocino County news, visit https://mendovoice.com. To tune in or listen live, visit https://www.kzyx.org or find newscasts on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4dqoBrc).
About the Publisher
Katherine Ann Rowlands is president of Bay City News Service, executive director of Bay City News Foundation, and publisher of The Mendocino Voice.
