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The Nevada Independent

Time for change

Jon Ralston
Jon Ralston
Opinion
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It’s been a year and a half since we unveiled The Indy.

Everything about this nonprofit adventure into journalism merits superlatives. My team has exceeded even my high expectations of them, constantly producing high-quality journalism. The community has embraced our effort beyond my hopes, not just in donations (all of which you can find here) but in encouragement and advice. And the job of overseeing this publication, helped by my incomparable No. 2, Elizabeth Thompson, has been even harder and more time-consuming than I ever imagined.

Which brings me to the announcement I am making today.

I am no longer going to write a column to be published every Sunday. That does not mean I will disappear from these pages, but my columns will appear less frequently.

I’ll tell you why.

I’ve done a lot of things in journalism in my nearly 34 years in Las Vegas – reporter, columnist, TV host. I have loved every job I have had and cherish memories of every newspaper and television station I have worked for. I have been lucky to work with some incredible colleagues and mentors.

But nothing compares to the satisfaction and joy I have had these last 18 months as editor of The Indy. I had dreamed for years of running a news organization, but I had no clue how rewarding it could be.

To watch this group of young, talented reporters blossom, to see their unparalleled work ethic, to learn from them almost every day – this makes me smile. Every day.

But this has not been easy. Although I have not for one second missed being on television, I have had to adapt to new roles: Editor, manager and, yes, fundraiser.

I have never worked harder in my life, and while I go to sleep almost every evening satisfied, I also feel I have left many things undone, unattended to.

Something has to give. And it makes sense to give up the weekly column.

That doesn’t mean I won’t write from time to time. I do not – as many people know – shut up easily.

Like it or not (I like it just fine), I have been around the longest of any journalist commenting on politics in this state, so my knowledge of the issues and people may prove useful from time to time. If I feel passionately about something, if a major event occurs that merits context, I will weigh in.

How often?

That depends on events. I may not write for a month, and I may write two columns a week if news calls for it.

It would be foolish to pretend I do not have strong opinions, and I wrote a year ago about the unusual role I have as editor and pundit. But the former, along with the uncomfortable but necessary job of keeping our 501(c)3 flush, has to be my primary responsibility.

Our Sunday op-ed section will remain robust. We are fortunate to have Orrin Johnson’s unique and often contrarian perspective, and John L. Smith, who knows Nevada as no one else does, has produced some of the finest work of his career for us.

We also have a fine roster of regular contributors, including the always provocative Dayvid Figler and David Colborne, both of whom add heft to the page. We are always on the lookout for other voices, too.

We also are getting more and more submissions for our op-ed page, some of which we will publish on Sunday. I urge anyone who has something to say to send us offerings at [email protected]. One of the best things about The Indy has been our ability to provide a venue for those who have not had one before.

I can be found other places, too. I have cut back on Twitter – I feel much the way the great Maggie Haberman of The New York Times does. But I’m still there.

I’ll also utilize my blog for quicker hits when I have time. As the campaign season intensifies in the next 100 days or so, my reporters will be bombarded, and I can take the load off once in awhile by contributing via the blog.

I truly believe the best is yet to come for The Indy – and for me.

I’ll see you when I see you.

Jon Ralston is the editor of The Nevada Independent. He has been covering Nevada politics for more than 30 years. Contact him at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ralstonreports

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