FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024
CONTACT: Lila LaHood (415) 846-5346; Michael Stoll (415) 846-3983
SAN FRANCISCO — Lila LaHood has been appointed executive director of the San Francisco Public Press, after co-founding the organization 15 years ago and serving as its publisher. Michael Stoll, who held the position since the nonprofit newsroom launched, is stepping down March 1, and will shift his focus to reporting.
“People who care about democracy are desperate for a local news revival,” LaHood said. “The most important thing we can do as investigative journalists is to not get distracted by the hourly news cycle. We work to uncover fractured systems, prioritize questions about equity and inclusion and elevate conversations about critical local issues. While national media and political figures create diversions and treat San Francisco like a spectacle, our reporters stay patient and focused.”
The Public Press will continue producing in-depth, data-driven investigative reporting and solutions journalism through sfpublicpress.org, its “Civic” podcasts and radio broadcasts on KSFP 102.5 FM. LaHood plans to increase publication frequency by working with reporters to share their investigative findings incrementally and connect meaningfully with audiences. The newsroom this year is focusing its coverage on San Francisco’s response to homelessness, the drug overdose crisis, public health and mental health, environmental equity, shifting political power within the city’s diverse cultural communities and other critical local issues.
“Our reporters develop expertise on their beats while working on big investigative projects,” LaHood said. “In our staff meetings, we’re talking about all the ways they can share more of what they’re learning with readers and listeners. This creates opportunities for engagement and soliciting ideas about which angles to pursue from people whose lives are directly affected by the issues we’re covering.”
Stoll is returning to his first passion — investigative science and environment reporting — and will continue to support the Public Press as a board member.
“Lila is dedicated to accountability journalism that centers on underserved communities, and to building a collaborative environment for reporters to do their best work,” Stoll said. “She’s also invested in partnerships with like-minded local and national news organizations that can extend the reach of our web and podcast storytelling to inform smarter local policy-making.”
Since 2009, the Public Press has published local public-interest journalism focused on equity and accountability in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. The Public Press is planning a series of events to celebrate its 15th anniversary.
“We are grateful to Michael for his many years of leadership and dedication,” said David Cohn, president of the organization’s board of directors. “The idea for the Public Press as a nonprofit newsroom built on the public radio model was all his vision. And Lila has worked to support that vision from day one. The board is confident she will lead the team to serve the community with crucial reporting amid fractious debates about the future of the Bay Area.”
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The San Francisco Public Press is a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization publishing online at sfpublicpress.org and broadcasting on KSFP 102.5 FM in San Francisco.
KSFP is the Public Press’ low-power FM radio station, broadcasting from Sutro Tower as KSFP-LP on 102.5 FM in San Francisco, seven days a week from 4 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 10 p.m. The station streams 24 hours a day at KSFP.fm.
“Civic” is the Public Press’ public affairs radio show and podcast. It airs on KSFP Thursdays at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and is available on all major podcast platforms.
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