Shoestring, The

The Shoestring is an independent, news outlet serving western Massachusetts. It operates as a fiscally sponsored project of the Alternative Newsweekly Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which allows it to accept tax-deductible donations while maintaining editorial independence. The publication provides coverage of local government, politics, culture, and social issues, with a strong emphasis on investigative reporting and community accountability. Its staff includes Managing Editor Brian Zayatz and Investigative Editor Dusty Christensen, both of whom have extensive regional and national reporting experience. The Shoestring is governed cooperatively by its staff with guidance from an advisory board that includes journalists and community leaders, such as Ivan Oransky, Dan Cannity, Barbara Madeloni, and Maureen Turner. The publication engages the local community through story tips, partnerships, and campaigns for financial support. It is a member of professional journalism networks and emphasizes editorial independence, transparency, and ethical standards. The Shoestring relies primarily on donations from individuals and organizations, supplemented by fiscal sponsorship, to sustain its operations and produce reporting intended to inform and empower residents of western Massachusetts.