The Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) is excited to announce that Jacob Owens has been selected as the editor in chief of Spotlight Delaware, a new collaborative nonprofit newsroom that LJI is launching next month to provide Delaware communities with free local news and information.
Owens has nearly 15 years of experience in reporting, editing and managing newsrooms in Delaware and Maryland, producing state, regional and national award-winning stories, editorials and publications. He most recently served as editor of Delaware Business Times.
Owens will be the inaugural leader of Spotlight Delaware, which will focus on covering public policy and how it affects the daily lives of Delawareans throughout the state, with a particular emphasis on communities that have not always had access to local news and information.
Powered by extensive community input, initial coverage will focus on the issues Delawareans told LJI they want and need more information about: state government accountability, education and the impact of land use decisions.
Spotlight Delaware will make this information available to more Delawareans by partnering with existing newsrooms.
“Over the years, I’ve witnessed downsized newsrooms and reporters stretched to do more with less. I’m excited to join Spotlight Delaware, which will elevate the information communities have and support the success of our partner newsrooms,” Owens said.
Owens has extensively covered municipal, state and federal governance, public education, land use, environmental issues, and law enforcement in his career. A Delaware resident for 30 years and graduate of the University of Delaware, Owens now lives in Middletown with his wife and two daughters.
“Jake brings a depth of experience in local news leadership and love of Delaware that will catapult Spotlight Delaware’s ability to serve communities throughout the First State,” said LJI Founder and CEO Allison Taylor Levine. “He also has a deep commitment to building our local news ecosystem and supporting the success of existing newsrooms by providing journalism that will help them grow and serve their audiences.”
Reach Owens at jowens@spotlightdelaware.org or 302.379.1993.
Learn more about Spotlight Delaware, sign up for the mailing list and donate at spotlightdelaware.org.
ABOUT THE LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE (LJI)
LJI, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is working to strengthen local journalism as a vehicle for a stronger democracy and thriving communities throughout the First State. Learn more about LJI at ljidelaware.org.
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