About This Is Reno

This Is Reno is your source for daily, award-winning news and events for Reno, Sparks, the Truckee Meadows and beyond. We were founded in 2009 and are one of the only locally owned and operated news media sources in the greater Reno market. Meet the team here.

We began with a question: Could a group of volunteer media professionals collaborate and create an online news media outlet to fill the gaps left by downsized newsrooms? The answer, we quickly discovered, was yes.

Our site launched with an exclusive interview with Thomas “Lt. Dangle” Lennon about the ending of Comedy Central’s “Reno 911.” We have since grown to become a Reno news leader. We are Reno’s only locally owned and operated online news and events source. Our focus is on our community. We reach thousands of Reno-area readers each day on our website and social channels.

We are frequently news breakers, we often cover what other media do not and we offer a truly local voice to Reno news and events via our social media, podcast, website and our e-newsletter.

We offer effective and competitive advertising. If you need event promotions, advertising or want to see your news story reach thousands in the Reno area, please advertise with us.

We recognize the traditional homelands of the Wa She Shu (Washoe), Numu (Northern Paiute, Newe (Western Shoshone) and Nuwu (Southern Paiute) people of Nevada and acknowledge we report news and events from these historic lands.

AI statement

Updated Sept. 21, 2024

This Is Reno embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to enhance journalistic efforts while maintaining high standards of accuracy. We use AI tools to assist in summarizing press releases (what we call “news briefs,” which are credited to their original sources), calendar listings, videos and lengthy documents. We also use AI to aid in fact-checking, data analysis, audio transcriptions and image improvements, such as “upsampling” a photograph to enhance its quality. AI helps with grammar and style checks to maintain clarity and consistency. All editorial decisions are made by our editors, and AI serves as a tool to support journalists’ work, not replace it. Any “generative” AI is labeled accordingly but is rarely used. AI allows our reporters to focus on delivering original, timely, accurate and relevant news. Spot an error? Please let us know.

Mission

We deliver local, independently produced news about Reno for the people of Reno.

Values

Journalism is real, valid and is reported by underpaid, hardworking truth-seekers. We believe that an informed community is a stronger community. We publish news and commentary relevant to the lives of northern Nevadans and adhere to these core values:

  • Fair, fact-based reporting
  • Commitment to diversity, equity and the lifting up of underrepresented voices in our community
  • Reliance, as much as possible, on expert sources
  • Accuracy and the transparent corrections of errors
  • A diversity of credible voices and viewpoints
  • The expectation of transparency and accountability from elected and public officials

How we are funded

We are supported directly by our readers through paid subscriptions. Paid subscribers get access to all website content and directly contribute to supporting locally owned news.

We also offer paid PR/sponsored content and a range of advertising options. We recently secured a fiscal sponsor partnership with Independent Arts & Media of San Francisco, which allows us to accept tax-deductible donations. Donate here.

In 2020, we received emergency COVID-19 financial support ($85,000) from the Local Media Foundation and Facebook’s Journalism Project for COVID-19 reporting. Neither organization had editorial control or input on reporting.

Memberships

  • Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers
  • Nevada Press Association
  • Nevada Open Government Coalition
  • Online News Association

Awards

2024

2023

2022

2021

  • National Press Club, Breaking News Honorable Mention for Reno riot news coverage
  • National Association of Black Journalists, Student Achievement, General News Reporting on Reno riot coverage.
  • Battle Born Awards, Society for Professional Journalists Las Vegas, Second Place Award, Reporting Using Public Records
  • Battle Born Awards, Society for Professional Journalists Las Vegas, Third Place Innovator of the Year Award with Noticierio Móvil and KUNR Reno Public Radio
  • Edward R. Murrow Award, Radio Television Digital News Association, Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, with Noticierio Móvil and KUNR Reno Public Radio (regional and national awards)
  • Nevada Press Association, Advertising Excellence, Third Place Award
  • LION Publishers, Investigative Report of the Year 2021 (finalist)

2020

  • Breaking News Coverage, First Place Award, LION Publishers
  • Multiple Photo Essay Award, First Place Award, Nevada Press Association

2019

2018

  • Edward R. Murrow award with Reno Public Radio, “Cannabis in Nevada: The Rollout”

2017

  • Edward R. Murrow award with Reno Public Radio “Behind The Battery Boom,” about Tesla’s impact on the region.

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