Former Washington lawmaker buys The Stranger, signaling big revamp

Seattle's snarky, foul-mouthed alternative news outlet, The Stranger, has been sold to a company headed by Brady Walkinshaw, who was a Washington state representative before becoming CEO of the climate science and activist site, Grist.

Walkinshaw is the publisher and chair of the new parent company, Noisy Creek. The deal includes other Index Media properties, including The Stranger's sister publication, the Portland Mercury, an events site EverOut and the ticketing platform Bold Type Tickets.

Walkinshaw told The New York Times about 20 individual investors were involved in the acquisition, though financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He is the largest shareholder, but Index Media will retain a 20% ownership stake.

“For decades, The Stranger and Portland Mercury have been trusted companions in our daily lives in Seattle and Portland,” Walkinshaw said in a news release. “I grew up here and I love these papers. They’ve shaped how we participate in our community, from the news we read, to the places we go, to the issues we believe in, to the candidates we elect. We are thrilled to build on over 30 years of history, invest in vibrant editorial growth, and build a business where local media thrives.”

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2024/07/30/stranger-alt-news-sold-walkinshaw-noisy-creek.html