27% More Local News Every Morning From GoLocalProv

GoLocal LIVE Team

GoLocal is expanding its coverage of everything local.

Now, every morning, the 6:00 a.m. email will include 27 percent more articles and videos.

Latest Expansion for GoLocal

In February, the company launched GoLocal LIVE — the daily two-hour broadcast with the biggest newsmakers in Rhode Island and experts from around the world.

GoLocal produces as many as two dozen local articles and videos everyday. As a result, GoLocal expanded the coverage in the morning Eblast which is distributed to 49,000 each morning.

“Last week our guests on GoLocal LIVE included one of the top security experts in the UK on the London bombings, we talked with top French journalist Jean Lesieur just hours after the attack at Notre Dame Cathedral — we are changing local journalism to be live and immediate,” said Josh Fenton, Co-Founder and CEO of GoLocal.

GoLocal is committed to providing best in class analysis, great community coverage, and insights into national and global events and how these events impact Rhode Island.

To receive the daily, 7 days a week morning e-blast at no cost – please sign up here.

GoLocal LIVE Launches “Rickman’s Big View” – Weekly Live Opinion

Rickman’s Big View

It all starts today — Civil Rights leader Ray Rickman will begin broadcasting a weekly opinion segment every Thursday on GoLocal LIVE. It is called, “Rickman’s Big View.”

He has been one of Rhode Island’s leaders in government, human rights, and issues of equality for more than 30 years.

Each week, Rickman offers his insights and opinion on the issues that matter most to Rhode Island, the country, and the world.

He is the co-founder of the non-profit Stages of Freedom and heads the public affairs firm — The Rickman Group. He is a former State Representative and Deputy Secretary of State for RI.

Watch or listen every week at 4:00 p.m. on GoLocal LIVE on Facebook Live, GoLocalProv.com or YouTube.

New live video news broadcast

GoLocal Launches New Daily Live Broadcast – Hosted By Kate Nagle and Molly O’Brien

Innovative Live News Show “GoLocal LIVE” Launches in February

Providence, RI — GoLocal24 is launching the next generation of news and lifestyle media by broadcasting a new afternoon show — GoLocal LIVE.

The daily show will simultaneously live stream onsite, on Facebook Live, and on YouTube Live. It will be available on mobile, tablet, and desktop.

Molly O’Brien joins GoLocal. Formerly traffic and tech reporter at WJAR-10.

The new model for media, “GoLocal LIVE,” will be hosted by former WJAR-10 reporter Molly O’Brien and GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle.

The show will debut in February on GoLocalProv.com.

GoLocal LIVE is the place where news happens first, and

will be the immediate source about everything — from the newest restaurant in Newport to the biggest political battle at the State House.

“GoLocal has set a new standard for local digital media. Now, we are taking our model to a new level. We want to be a great resource for Rhode Islanders. Whether they watch it live in the afternoons, or listen to it on the ride home in the car — GoLocal LIVE will have the top and most interesting content in the market,” said Josh Fenton, CEO of GoLocal24.

“When you have something to say in Rhode Island, you will have the opportunity to say it first, direct and broadcast via social media. You won’t have to wait — it is news first and with the greatest depth. The newsmaker will be on GoLocal LIVE,” said Fenton.

GoLocal LIVE will be broadcast from GoLocal’s new on-the-street studio in downtown Providence and will launch in February.

New live video news broadcast

New Editor Kate Nagle and Lifestyle Editor Molly O’Brien – Co-host GoLocal LIVE

 

“I am excited to be part of this groundbreaking model of media — it is immediate, contextual and everything local,” said O’Brien, the former Traffic and Technology reporter on WJAR-10.

O’Brien hosts the lifestyle segment on GoLocal LIVE and Nagle hosts the news and politics segment.

“GoLocal LIVE will be immediate. It is where politics and news will happen first. It is designed to be the platform where political debates take place, where you hear Russ Moore talk about Who’s Hot and Who’s Not, and it is all live,” said award-winning News Editor Nagle.

In addition to Nagle and O’Brien, GoLocal regulars and features will include:

“The Money Man” Gary Sasse, who was a weekly special guest on The Buddy Cianci show. Sasse will appear weekly and discuss city, state and federal fiscal issues.

Weekly discussions on everything food — from farm to table, who are the new chefs, trends, and much more

Former Providence Journal Editorial Page Editor and GoLocalProv Columnist Robert Whitcomb

Darrell West of the Brooking Institute Skyping in from Washington, D.C.

Healthcare This Week — a weekly discussion on Rhode Island’s largest industry

Young Leaders — in partnership with United Way, emerging Rhode Island leaders will discuss what motivates them

Point-Counter-Point — one-on-one discussions of the hottest issues facing Rhode Island

Business Rhode Island – a look at the top issues in Rhode Island’s business community

GoLocal will be announcing all the features and regular guests later this month.

Former Providence Journal Editor of the Editorial Page Joins GoLocal

Former Providence Journal Editorial Editor

Former Providence Journal Editorial Editor

Bob Whitcomb has achieved a remarkable career as a journalist — one that includes serving as the Editor of the Editorial Page at the Providence Journal, as the Finance Editor of the International Herald Tribune in Paris, and as an editor and writer at The Wall Street Journal in New York.
Starting on Wednesday, Whitcomb joins GoLocal and will be writing a weekly column titled Digital Diary.

“It is a real privilege to have Bob join the team at GoLocal. For years, Bob has been one of the most influential figures in New England and his editorials have been an important part of the public dialogue in Rhode Island,” said Josh Fenton, CEO and Co-Founder of GoLocal24.

In addition to his remarkable career as print editor and writer, Whitcomb has worked in all major print and electronic media. This has included co-hosting a public-affairs show on an ABC-TV affiliate and being a frequent contributor on radio engagements. The editor of several books, he co-wrote Cape Wind, from which the movie Cape Spin was made. He has also done extensive writing over the years for national magazines, such as Newsweek, Pacific Standard and The Weekly Standard, as well as editing and writing international newsletters.

Whitcomb Today

Whitcomb was the member secretary of the Aga Khan University Media Thinking Group, whose work helped lead create the university’s Graduate School of Media and Communications, serving the developing world and based in Nairobi.

His current work includes being a partner and senior adviser at Cambridge Management Group, a national healthcare consultancy; overseer of newenglanddiary.com; managing editor of the Boston Global Forum; blogger for The Huffington Post; fellow of the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy; chairman of the Providence Committee on Foreign Relations, and president of Guard Dog Media, which publishes The Boston Guardian, a weekly newspaper.

He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and has a master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, with a fellowship in economics. He lives in Providence, and is married with two grown daughters.

Read his first column here.

GoLocal Launches “The Patriarca Papers” – the FBI Files on the Man that Led the New England Crime Family for Nearly 50 Years

Raymond Patriarca ruled New England organized crime for nearly fifty years.

For the past year, GoLocal reporters and editors have been working to gain access to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) file for one of America’s most infamous criminals and one of Rhode Island’s notorious favorite sons – Raymond Patriarca.

Raymond Patriarca

Raymond Patriarca

Launching on August 3, 2015 and continuing over the next few months, GoLocal will be releasing the FBI files in segments – with expert insights and related documents – each Monday.  This weekly series is being called, “The Patriarca Papers.”

From the 1940’s to the 1990’s, New England organized crime was led by Patriarca (who died in 1984), and then by his son Raymond “Junior” Patriarca.

Patriarca not only dominated New England, but by many accounts was one of the most influential criminals in America.  There has long been an urban myth that Patriarca was the foundation for Don Corleone’s character in Mario Puzo’s “The Godfather” – and after reading this dossier on Patriarca, the event and characters often seem remarkably similar.

“I first met Raymond when he was held on ‘accessory to murder’ charges in 1981 but as a result of a heart ailment, he was admitted to Miriam Hospital. I spent a night or two with him at the hospital. The manner in which he carried himself and his mere presence was that of an old school mobster. He exuded confidence,” said Brendan Doherty, former Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

FBI files unveil hundreds of connections, alleged crimes and business partners of Patriarca that have never been disclosed before in such detail.  The Patriarca Papers are a tour of New England, and these files bring forward alleged connections to high level politicians, a tie into one of New England’s favorite amusement parks, and linkage to one of the region’s biggest bankers, to name just a few of the elements in the files.

The FBI materials begin in 1954 and continue into the 1980’s, and these files tell such tales as paying off an aide to the Governor of Massachusetts to get pardoned, Patriarca’s involvement in a prison break that lead to two prison officials being murdered, and his early days of violence.

The stories about Raymond Patriarca range from condemnation about his violence to praise for his commitment to the Federal Hill neighborhood.

The Patriarca Crime Family Dominated New England for Nearly 50 years

The Patriarca Crime Family Dominated New England for Nearly 50 years

“I did meet him (Patriarca), when I was campaigning on Federal Hill,” said Arlene Violet, former Rhode Island Attorney General, in an interview with GoLocal. “I don’t know if he stepped out of his office because he knew I was on the hill, but I literally almost bumped into him.”

‘Hiya, Sister’ he said,” continued Violet. “You’re no brother,’ I responded.”

Nearly 10,000 Pages

Starting in 2014, GoLocal began the process of securing nearly 10,000 pages of FBI documents. In May of 2015, the FBI approved GoLocal’s request for the files and transferred hundreds of individual files containing nearly ten thousand pages of FBI memos and official bureau documents. Correspondingly, the FBI withheld hundreds of pages.

On many pages, the Bureau has redacted some information.  Names of those interviewed, the identity of some of the FBI’s Special Agents (SA), and other information has been blocked out. However, in the preparation of the presentation of The Patriarca Papers, it many cases names and information in one section of the files was found to be disclosed later in the material.

Analysis of the Files – Leading Experts

Along with the upcoming weekly presentation of the files, GoLocal will provide expert analysis from a range of top law enforcement and criminal attorneys, including former RI State Police Superintendent Brendan Doherty, Criminal Defense Attorney Artin Coloian, and former Rhode Island Attorney General Arlene Violet as well as many others.

GoLocal will also be providing a glossary of terms and a list of major characters during the course of series and each will be updated weekly.

Access to the FBI Files

Pursuant to federal law, GoLocal filed for the release of the FBI file pertaining to Patriarca. The Freedom of Information Act allows any person—except fugitives, federal agencies, and foreign intelligence agencies—to request information about “organizations, businesses, investigations, historical events, incidents, groups, or deceased persons.”

The FBI notified GoLocal that the request was being granted approximately three months after the request was filed. The files were received by GoLocal a number of months later. Since May, GoLocal has been digitizing the files for presentation.

The series is previewed on July 28, 2015 and runs weekly each Monday on both GoLocalProv.com and GoLocalWorcester.com

The series is sponsored by the Chow Fun Food Group.

GoLocal24 Makes Acquisition, Launches 4th Site

GoLocal24, a rapidly growing digital local news and information company, is acquiring the hyper-local digital media company WhatsUpNewp.com – the site dedicated to everything Newport, RI. The site generates more than 50,000 unique visitors per month.

GoLocal24's 1st Acquisition and 4th site

GoLocal24’s 1st Acquisition and 4th site

The move marks GoLocal24’s first acquisition and comes just a few months after expanding to the West Coast and launching in Portland, OR.

In addition, GoLocal24 has named Ryan Belmore Vice President of New England Partnerships. Belmore will be responsible for expanding GoLocal’s network of partnerships and content. He also is an experienced expert in social media and event management. He recently managed Digital and social media for the 2015 Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover, an event that was visited by over 125,000.

“Ryan Belmore is one of the most talented people in digital media in the region. He has built a digital company that both thrives with content and has successfully driven revenue,” said Josh Fenton, CEO and Co-Founder of GoLocal24. “Ryan is the rare blend of content and commerce – he really understands how consumers get their information and how businesses need to reach them.”

GoLocal24 has been delivering news and information to Rhode Island consumers since the company was founded in 2010. The company launched GoLocalWorcester in 2012. In September of 2014, GoLocal24 launched GoLocalPDX.com.  Combined, the three platforms now deliver in excess of 11.9 million page views per month and over 1.1 million unique visitors monthly.

Vice President of Partnerships

Vice President of Partnerships

For GoLocal24, the acquisition marks the third site in New England – GoLocalProv, GoLocalWorcester and now the Newport site. Newport has been a strategic focus for GoLocal and an advertising hub. This acquisition expands GoLocal’s focus on Newport and Southern Rhode Island.

“GoLocal24 is one of the most dynamic digital companies in the United States. Their ability to drive the news cycle is unmatched,” said Belmore. “We are excited to be a bigger and bigger part of being the primary news source for New Englanders.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 Million in November

Customers In Busy Coffee ShopCombined the three GoLocal24 markets on the East and West Coast surpassed 12 million page views in November.

This number included GoLocal24’s newest market Portland, OR (GoLocalPDX.com) which launched in August of 2014.

For the two markets on the East Coast, the growth in pageviews from 2013 to 2014 was 95% year-over-year.

The growth overall including the new market was 210% growth across GoLocal24.

“We are excited by the tremendous growth – most folks in each of our communities see us as an important source of news and a tremendous way to connect in the community,” said Josh Fenton, CEO and Co-Founder of GoLocalProv.

 

GoLocal Wins Three Major Awards for Coverage of Issues of Diversity in 2014

GoLocal Editor, Kate Nagle

GoLocal Editor, Kate Nagle

The NAACP Providence Branch awarded GoLocalProv’s News Reporter and Editor Kate Nagle the Ida B. Wells Award for her contributions in coverage of important stories facing Rhode Island’s minority community. The award was presented at the 101st Annual Dinner of the NAACP on Friday, October 24.

Previously this year, GoLocalProv won:

The Metcalf Award for Diversity in the Media that has been given yearly to honor outstanding journalism — and was awarded in 2014 to GoLocalProv.com for its coverage of the Davey Lopes swimming pool closure and the lack of recreational opportunities provided to Providence children.

The Fund for Community Progress honored community leader GoLocalProv in April. The digital media company was recognized for creating vital local news information that is free to the public. “Access to local news that is responsibly researched and investigated is critical to a democratic and participatory society,” said Sally Turner, Executive Director for the Fund. “We are especially proud to recognize a home-grown Rhode Island media company.”

GoLocal24 Announces Expansion to Portland, Oregon

Digital Local Media Company Leverages East Coast Success

Providence, RI and Portland, OR – GoLocal24, a rapidly growing digital local news and information company, is expanding to the west coast, launching a new site this spring in Portland, Oregon.

GoLocal24, which serves mid-sized markets and is based in Providence, will launch its third news and lifestyle content platform with GoLocalPDX.com.

The company has been delivering news and information to Rhode Island consumers since the company was founded in 2010. The company launched GoLocalWorcester two years ago. Combined, the two platforms now deliver in excess of 7.5 million pageviews per month and just under 800,000 unique visitors monthly.

“In both Rhode Island and Central Massachusetts, we have quickly grown to be a leading source of enterprise local news content,” said Josh Fenton, Co-Founder and CEO at GoLocal24. “GoLocal is creating new ways to access vital news and information for citizens who want their local content delivered digitally.”

GoLocal24 is a privately held company and has attracted local investment from private investors in the Portland market.

Debi_Coleman2

Debi Coleman, Former CFO of Apple

“I am excited to be a part of GoLocalPDX entrance in the Portland market,” said Debi Coleman, an investor in GoLocalPDX and the former Chief Financial Officer at Apple. “Journalism is critical to a strong community and GoLocal’s innovative, collaborative and disruptive model aligns content with what users want and need.”

Merrill Brown, the founding Editor in Chief of MSNBC.com and the Director of the School of Communication and Media at Montclair State University, says GoLocal has an important opportunity in Portland. “Our company will be in a position to prove that our model works not only in East Coast markets but also in new cities like Portland, a vital cutting edge community that’s a national leader in technology, commerce and food, to name a few. The team at GoLocalPDX will serve the Portland population with great news coverage and will launch new products that will contribute to civic life and encourage civic engagement.” Brown serves on the Board of GoLocal24.

GoLocalPDX.com has begun to hire reporters and editors in the Portland market. The content is locally focused and the company does not aggregate third party sources or publish from news services.

“Portland is an amazing ecosystem – a community that is smart, digital and growing. The media is in a period of transition and we believe we have the opportunity to provide the community another option to read the most important investigative stories coupled with rich lifestyle coverage. GoLocalPDX will also be a vibrant place where diverse views will be embraced and Oregonians can share their strong points of view,” said Fenton.

“Since we launched GoLocalProv in 2010, we have had an absolute commitment to invest in high quality enterprise journalism. We have broken many of the biggest stories in Massachusetts and Rhode Island,” said Fenton, “We will continue to invest in local content – Portland has a rich history of great journalism.”

In the past year, GoLocal has realized multi-hundred percent growth in pageviews, unique visitors and revenue. GoLocal is becoming a part of the daily lives of the citizens of its two communities and is now realizing more than 300% year-over-year in pageview growth in Providence. GoLocal24 was profitable in 2013.

Investment bank Cambridge Pacific and the Ater Wynne law firm were both instrumental in the transaction.

GoLocal24 focuses on delivering the highest value local content – enterprise investigative stories, lifestyle, and local sports. GoLocal’s model highlights the work of many of the best journalists in the region and features top opinion writers including former Massachusetts Speaker of the House Tom Finneran, broadcast sports editors John Rooke and Scott Cordischi, Meteorologist John Ghiorse, Pulitzer Prize Winning Investigative Report Dean Starkman, and includes the work of more than 50 other reporters, editors, experts, and MINDSETTERS™.

Learn more about GoLocal24 www.golocal24.com

 

GoLocal and News Radio 920 Team Up for End of The Year

Ron St. Pierre

News Radio 920’s Ron St. Pierre

Clear Channel’s News Radio 920 and GoLocalProv team up for end-of-the year review.

GoLocalProv’s Kate Nagle joins RI Hall of Famer Ron St. Pierre and his co-host Jen Brien to review the biggest news stories in Southern New England and across the nation in 2014.

This is third-year the two news organizations have teamed up for comprehensive end-of-the year review.

Every Day –  GoLocal Big Story of the Day

Each morning at 7:35 am during the height of drive time, GoLocal reporters and editors appear on air with the News Radio 920 team to discuss the biggest story of the day.