Houston Landing, a nonprofit newsroom, is shutting down in the face of financial challenges.
The board of the Houston Landing made the decision to close by mid-May.
Houston Landing was launched in February 2023 with a seed investment of over $20 million. The investors included the Houston Endowment, Arnold Ventures, Kinder Foundation, American Journalism Project and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
“We are proud of the Landing’s coverage of Greater Houston and continue to believe deeply in the need for more free, independent journalism in our region,” says Ann B. Stern, board chair of the Houston Landing. “This decision was difficult but necessary. Houston Landing’s reporting has made a meaningful impact in the community, but it struggled to find its long-term financial footing.”
advertisement
advertisement
Meanwhile, the board has entered into discussions with The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit that is exploring the possibility of establishing a Houston news initiative. However, it is not yet clear how that could play out.
“We have great respect for Houston Landing’s work in delivering high-quality, nonpartisan journalism to its readers,” says Sonal Shah, CEO of The Texas Tribune. "We also understand the profound challenges facing local newsrooms today — journalism is a public service and needs a strong ecosystem to thrive. We look forward to exploring how we can learn from what the Landing started and create a sustainable model that serves the Houston community.”