While we prefer the nomenclature “local news website,” ARLnow launched at a time when “blogging” was still a thing. We were basically a blog.
The granddaddy of all big, D.C. area local news blogs was DCist and late today came the sad news that its billionaire owner has closed all of the DNAinfo and Gothamist websites, including DCist, following a vote to unionize the company’s New York City newsroom.
It was always a thrill to get a link from DCist. Early on it would bring a rush of traffic at a time when we were still trying to build our audience. Even in 2017, getting a DCist link was a sign that an article we published here in Arlington has resonated across the Potomac.
DCist was a consistently interesting and entertaining one-stop-shop for D.C.-centric local news, it had a loyal and often very funny commenting community, it jumpstarted the careers of some excellent journalists, and it was an important component of the slowly shrinking D.C. local news ecosystem.
RIP DCist, you will be missed.
Joe Rickets is closing DNAInfo and Gothamist, including @DCist pic.twitter.com/FuqtPUg3EE
— Rachel Kurzius (@Curious_Kurz) November 2, 2017
One DCist employee found out the site had shut down when she refreshed the homepage https://t.co/rOavIepYTg
— Andrew Beaujon (@abeaujon) November 2, 2017
This is terrible news. @DCist is a regional institution, delivering great journalism written by talented reporters for years. Such a loss. https://t.co/w0CQX9aJXM
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) November 2, 2017
Amazing journos who got start @DCist: @MelissaMcCart @bylinemjf @Coop_Rebecca @maustermuhle @scottreitz @hemjhaveri @dceiver @samfbiddle
— Sommer Mathis (@sommermathis) November 2, 2017
More badass @DCist alums still out there doing it today: @heathermg @amorrissey @brfreed @ctklimek @mgrass @sarahanne_news
— Sommer Mathis (@sommermathis) November 2, 2017