Gothamist lives: Public radio stations resurrect murdered news site

As media continues to implode, some great news brightens the hellscape: Beloved New York news source Gothamist (which was shutdown in an act of union bashing by the site’s short-time owner, billionaire Joe Ricketts, back in November) is now part of WNYC and will be coming back this spring.

Wired had the scoop, reporting that, “a consortium of public radio stations, including WNYC in New York, WAMU in Washington DC, and KPCC in Southern California,” banded together to revive the dead local news outlet, as well its sister sites LAist, DCist, and DNAinfo. The deal, Wired reported, was significantly driven by Gothamist’s founders, Jake Dobkin and Jen Chung, “and is being funded by two anonymous donors who have contributed an undisclosed sum to acquire the brands.”

Gothamist will being producing new content in the spring.

.@Gothamist is making a comeback! We’re excited to announce we’re acquiring the news site in a deal with our fellow public radio stations @KPCC and @wamu885. https://t.co/IL3JEG691M

— WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) February 23, 2018

It’s true: @Gothamist is coming back 😍 https://t.co/apygV2drrJ

— Jen Chung (@jenchung) February 23, 2018

The amazing news is true—Gothamist is returning! https://t.co/rU1yg8I51m

— Gothamist (@Gothamist) February 23, 2018

Some very good news: @GOTHAMIST IS COMING BACK! Thanks to @WNYC (new owners), and @jakedobkin & @jenchung (who worked hard to make this happen). More details TBA… https://t.co/cVFaOW5ckw

— Jen Carlson (@jenist) February 23, 2018

SCOOP: Gothamist is back! WNYC and a consortium of public radio stations have banded together to purchase its assets and bring it back to life along with DCist and LAist. Our story: https://t.co/IIycBPpsye

— issie lapowsky (@issielapowsky) February 23, 2018

The members of the DNAist Union are learning about the sale with the rest of the public, and are eager to learn more details about what this revival will entail. We look forward to hearing from @WNYC about what their plans are for the future of the site and its former employees.

— DNAistUnion (@DNAistUnion) February 23, 2018