Raw Story Launched Redesigned Site, Expanded Investigative Team
The outlet has overhauled its digital infrastructure to scale reporting capacity ahead of midterm elections.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Startups
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Raw Story launched a redesigned website on October 13, 2026, featuring improved navigation and expanded distribution across newsletters, video, and audio. This initiative includes a significant expansion of its investigative reporting team.
Why it matters
The investment aims to increase accountability-focused reporting ahead of midterm elections by converting more of its current readership into paying supporters. This transition is intended to provide a sustainable financial model for independent journalism.
Raw Story maintains a reach of 7 million monthly unique users and 30,000 paying subscribers. The outlet serves 60 local NPR stations, anchored by a veteran staff including Matt Laslo, who has covered Congress since 2006.
The players
Raw Story
An independent digital news organization that focuses on investigative journalism and accountability reporting.
Matt Laslo
A veteran journalist who has provided coverage of Congress for Raw Story since 2006.
Jordan Green
An investigative reporter with 16 years of experience who has covered extremism for the outlet since 2021.
Adam Nichols
An investigative journalist with 30 years of experience who joined the organization in 2023.
Kathleen Culliton
A journalist who recently joined the investigative reporting team at Raw Story.
The details
The redesign focuses on streamlining user navigation and enhancing the discoverability of investigative stories. To support this growth, the organization has integrated new editorial talent, including Kathleen Culliton and Adam Nichols, who brings 30 years of experience. The publisher is also diversifying its content stack by distributing investigative reporting through video, audio, and newsletter formats.
Timeline
2004: Raw Story was founded.
2006: Matt Laslo began covering Congress.
2021: Jordan Green began reporting on extremism for Raw Story.
2023: Adam Nichols joined the outlet.
October 13, 2026: Raw Story launched its redesigned website.
The Tech Race
Raw Story is shifting its infrastructure to compete in the crowded landscape of reader-supported independent media. This update follows the industry-wide trend of pivoting toward direct subscriber revenue to insulate editorial operations from advertising volatility.
Readers will notice an updated website interface designed for faster story discovery and improved site navigation. The platform's new focus on audio and video distribution will also provide regular followers with alternative ways to consume investigative content outside of traditional text articles.
The takeaway
Raw Story is betting that a streamlined user experience and expanded investigative depth will accelerate its conversion of casual readers into permanent subscribers. Watch for whether the new multi-format distribution strategy succeeds in increasing engagement metrics during the upcoming election cycle.
Further reading
Learn more about emerging media platforms in the Startups section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Editor and Publisher.
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