ProPublica and the Texas Tribune, two of the best capitalized nonprofit journalism websites are collaborating on a new investigative unit focused on Texas. ProPublica is known for bringing its powerful investigative capacity into partnership with local sites, while the Texas Tribune is focused primarily on state politics.
Following a healthy infusion of funds from Arnold Ventures, this work is expected to be ongoing, with the first run of at least five years and 11 new staff to be hired.
“Texas is a target-rich environment for the investigative journalism of the kind we plan to do for the next five years,” Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith said to CNN Business. “We know Texas better than anyone. ProPublica knows investigative journalism better than anybody. In the commercial jingle, candy sense, this is two great tastes that taste great together.”
Previously, both organizations have been funded by the Arnolds. Laura Arnold says, “Texas is a big state and it needs big journalism to look under each cactus and behind every skyscraper.”
