Fredericksburg Free Press is a nonprofit media organization that publishes news and content for the Fredericksburg, Virginia area. ¹ It was founded through contributions through local businesses and maintains a list of donors on its website. ^{2 3}

Fredericksburg Free Press reports on local government, state and federal government activities affecting the Fredericksburg area, local events, and local news. ^{4 5}

Background

Fredericksburg Free Press is a nonprofit media organization that was founded in February 2024 and is based in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It publishes digital news reports based on events pertinent to Northern Virginia residents and claims to be nonpartisan. ⁶

Fredericksburg Free Press accepts grants, optional subscriptions, sponsorships, and individual donations. It states it requires “corporate donors” to sign an agreement that its reporting is independent of influences outside of the editorial team. It produces content free to the public, including articles, podcasts, newsletters, and videos. ⁷

Reporting

In March 2024, Fredericksburg Free Press reported on federal legislation that only cited testimony that was in support of earmarks that used federal funds for projects in the Fredericksburg area, including road improvements and water tower developments. ⁸ In another report, Fredericksburg Free Press reported on Stafford County, Virginia approving an increase for the advertised real estate tax rate and only cited statements made by board members who were in favor in the tax increase as well as increases for other taxes, including the sales tax. ⁹

Funding

Fredericksburg Free Press holds various internal policies regarding how it chooses to disclose its donors. Fredericksburg Free Press does accept anonymous donations up to $5,000. It claims that it discloses the donations of all donors over $100, except for its anonymous donors, and for articles covering a donor who has contributed over $5,000, it discloses the donation information in the article. ¹⁰

On its funding webpage, Fredericksburg Free Press lists its donors, categorizing them by donation amount and whether it was from an individual, grant program, or a corporate sponsor. For donations over $5,000 it does not disclose the exact amount other than that it was over $5,000. ¹¹

Fredericksburg Free Press reports that its founding corporate sponsors that donated over $5,000 included Coldwell Banker Elite, Germanna Community College, the GemROI Company, Hirschler Fleischer, the Janney Family, the Jian Group, Mary Washington Healthcare, United Bank, Zenith Aviation, and Zolo, Inc. (d/b/a Higashi Glaser Design). ¹²

People

Joey LoMonaco is the senior reporter and editor for Fredericksburg Free Press. He previously worked for the Fredericksburg-based the Free Lance-Star and is known for his sports coverage. ¹³

Mitzi Brown was reported to have “played a pivotal role” in the founding of Fredericksburg Free Press as she cited a lack of Fredericksburg-based news sources. ¹⁴ Brown is the director of legal services for Gerlach Law Firm in Fredericksburg, Virginia and works as a litigation consultant. She previously worked as a lawyer for local and national law firms, specializing in commercial and financial litigation. ¹⁵

1. Kiser, Uriah. “Fredericksburg Free Press Launches with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, Promises Unbiased Local News Coverage.” Potomac Local News, February 20, 2024. https://www.potomaclocal.com/2024/02/19/fredericksburg-free-press-launches-with-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-promises-unbiased-local-news-coverage/.
2. “Fredericksburg Free Press, Free Digital Source for Local News, Launches.” YouTube, February 19, 2024. https://youtu.be/dJvXlWeeXOs?list=PLtuxtF-76btSOChbZBvAgRd2n0IC9CYCX.
3. “Fredericksburg Free Press Funding Sources.” Fredericksburg Free Press, February 23, 2024. https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/fredericksburg-free-press-funding-sources/.
4. Home. Fredericksburg Free Press. Accessed March 17, 2024. https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/.
5. “About Fredericksburg Free Press.” Fredericksburg Free Press, March 6, 2024. https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/about-fredericksburg-free-press/.
6. Kiser, Uriah. “Fredericksburg Free Press Launches with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, Promises Unbiased Local News Coverage.” Potomac Local News, February 20, 2024. https://www.potomaclocal.com/2024/02/19/fredericksburg-free-press-launches-with-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-promises-unbiased-local-news-coverage/.
7. “About Fredericksburg Free Press.” Fredericksburg Free Press, March 6, 2024. https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/about-fredericksburg-free-press/.
8. Coghill, Taft. “President Biden Signs Legislation to Assist Fredericksburg Area with Infrastructure.” Fredericksburg Free Press, March 11, 2024. https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2024/03/11/president-biden-signs-legislation-to-assist-fredericksburg-area-with-infrastructure/.
9. Knotts, Kathy. “Stafford Sets Advertised Tax Rate at 91 Cents.” Fredericksburg Free Press, March 6, 2024. https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2024/03/06/stafford-sets-advertised-tax-rate-at-89-cents/.
10. “About Fredericksburg Free Press.” Fredericksburg Free Press, March 6, 2024. https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/about-fredericksburg-free-press/.
11. “Fredericksburg Free Press Funding Sources.” Fredericksburg Free Press, February 23, 2024. https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/fredericksburg-free-press-funding-sources/.
12. “Fredericksburg Free Press Funding Sources.” Fredericksburg Free Press, February 23, 2024. https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/fredericksburg-free-press-funding-sources/
13. “About Fredericksburg Free Press.” Fredericksburg Free Press, March 6, 2024. https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/about-fredericksburg-free-press/.
14. Kiser, Uriah. “Fredericksburg Free Press Launches with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, Promises Unbiased Local News Coverage.” Potomac Local News, February 20, 2024. https://www.potomaclocal.com/2024/02/19/fredericksburg-free-press-launches-with-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-promises-unbiased-local-news-coverage/.
15. “About.” Gerlach Law Firm, PLC. Accessed March 17, 2024. https://www.gerlachlawfirm.com/about.