Monday August 7, 2023
WELCOME TO FXBG ADVANCE | NEW DOMINION PODCAST: Ben Litchfield
FXBG ADVANCE: A Phoenix Rises
by Martin Davis
This past January, sitting in the Managing Editor’s office at the Free Lance-Star as an HR corporate overlord informed me the company was parting ways with me (and a bunch of other opinion editors in other states), I thought I’d just lost the best job I’d ever had.
Could we start a newspaper?
This morning, we are answering that question in the affirmative. And we’re excited that you are here to celebrate the launch of the FXBG Advance with us.
And then, the phone calls started rolling in. Sometimes, I learned, the Phoenix rises.
A week after being let go, I was launching F2S as a way to keep writing at the request of many who expressed their dissatisfaction with Lee Enterprise’s decision. And readership grew - quickly.
Shaun Kenney - a fellow writer, debate partner, and friend - posited the central question. Could we start a newspaper?
This morning, we are answering that question in the affirmative. And we’re excited that you are here to celebrate the launch of the FXBG Advance with us.
Shaun and I aren’t doing it alone, of course. Leigh Anne Van Doren, the successful publisher of Fredericksburg Parent, is also a key team member. Her business acumen, publishing expertise, and long-standing commitment to launching a news organization have made today a reality far quicker than we ever imagined.
Then there’s our board - In addition to Shaun and Leigh Anne, we have journalist Emily Freehling, retired UMW professor Craig Vasey, current Germanna Community College professor Cory MacLauchlin, and political adviser and commentator Daniel Cortez.
But the most important people are you, our readers. Your support of F2S the past seven months is why we are taking this step.
What to expect
Journalism: The biggest change is our name. The most important work - our journalism - remains the core of what we are doing.
Over the coming months, we will be raising money to hire the high-quality writers who can build upon the work we are doing. Beginning today, any financial commitment you make to FXBG Advance is tax deductible, and these funds will be going to support these journalists.
… we grow by performing and by producing great journalism first, last, and every issue in-between.
That approach has brought us to this point, and it will carry us to the grander visions that we have.
We invite you to join the more than 135 individual donors currently supporting FXBG Advance financially by choosing a monthly ($8 each month), yearly ($80), or Founding Membership ($500) contribution. (All content remains free to the public and is not being placed behind a paywall.)
Donors will receive early invitations to special events offered by FXBG Advance, including our launch event this fall, afterwork drinks with the editor, and special events sponsored by the Advance.
Every dollar goes to support our work.
Website: Our new website is under development, but soon you’ll be able to access FXBG Advance in a more-user-friendly format on your phone, tablet, or other personal device.
Newsletter: The newsletter you’ve become accustomed to each morning remains, but now it functions under the FXBG Advance banner. The newsletter will remain part of our public facing products, so continue to enjoy it!
Expanded coverage: As the advance grows, so will our coverage. Our core journalism team will be focused on local governance and community issues. But we’ll also be branching out into areas like book reviews (which launched yesterday), obituaries (under development), feature stories, more-robust political coverage, and more.
It will take some time to reach these goals, of course. But we grow by performing and by producing great journalism first, last, and every issue in-between.
That approach has brought us to this point, and it will carry us to the grander visions that we have.
Readers first
We feel good about making this move, because from the beginning we have put our readers first. And we will continue to do this. That’s our promise to you.
Thanks for making F2S FXBG Advance part of your life. We know when you read us, you are giving us your greatest gift - your time.
That’s a gift we will never take for granted.
After all, your gift of time is why this Phoenix is rising.
NEW DOMINION PODCAST
Ben Litchfield
Ben Litchfield is a former Stafford Democratic Committee chairman and the former candidate for the Democratic nod in SD-27. Litchfield talks about voter fatigue, how campaign finance is overwhelming the interests of people in favor of raw capital, and how investing in childcare and the working class is one of the most important things Virginians could address.
You can also listen to this episode by following this Spotify link.
Beyond excited for this, Marty. Great team, great writers, excellent energy... and plenty to write about.
Yes!!! I have been hoping hoping hoping that you would start local this paper for our area. We need it so badly and you are just the. person to do it. Having Shaun K. by your side will provide point/counterpoint. So much more to say but I need to get on with my day. Thank you thank you thank you.