11:12 am - March 17, 2026
- Notus recruits nine seasoned journalists including seven from The Washington Post
- Move highlights shifts in Washington’s media landscape with talent leaving traditional outlets
- Organisational rebrand plans suggest ambitions to rival established national newspapers
The nonprofit political newsroom NOTUS has hired nine journalists, including seven from The Washington Post, in a move that underscores growing competition between legacy news organisations and well-funded startup outlets and further emphasises the issues at the beleaguered Post.
The hires, announced Monday in an internal memorandum from the Allbritton Journalism Institute, bring a cluster of veteran reporters and editors to the newsroom founded last year by Politico co-founder Robert Allbritton.
The recruitment drive highlights a broader shift in Washington media: experienced reporters are increasingly leaving traditional newspapers for startup newsrooms with philanthropic backing, lower overheads and ambitions to build new national brands.
Among the new arrivals is Dana Milbank, a columnist who spent more than 25 years at The Washington Post. Milbank said the move offered a chance to help build a new hometown publication that Washington “sorely needs”.
Jeff Stein, formerly the newspaper’s chief economics correspondent, is also joining the outlet. Stein had recently drawn attention for public criticism of the Post’s leadership.
Paul Kane, a longtime senior congressional correspondent known for his deep sourcing on Capitol Hill, will also move to NOTUS.
Other hires include health policy reporter Paige Cunningham, sports reporter Sam Fortier and data columnist Andrew Van Dam, as well as editor Missy Khamvongsa.
The move comes during a period of upheaval at The Washington Post, which has faced staff buyouts, leadership changes under chief executive Will Lewis and internal debate over editorial direction and digital strategy.
NOTUS leaders say the organisation aims to build a newsroom focused on national politics without the costs and structures that weigh on older media companies. Editor-in-chief Tim Grieve has positioned the outlet as an attempt to capture some of the influence The Washington Post held during its peak decades.
The expansion also comes ahead of a planned rebrand later this year. The outlet currently operates under the name NOTUS , short for “News of the United States” , though internal documents and trademark filings point to a possible shift to a more traditional masthead, potentially The Washington Sun.
- https://www.axios.com/2025/02/25/washington-news-notus-local-newsrooms-initiative – This article reports on NOTUS launching the Washington Bureau Initiative to provide Washington, D.C., coverage to local newsrooms, addressing the challenge of local newspapers lacking resources for their own Washington correspondents.
- https://www.notus.org/about-us/press-releases/notus-to-partner-with-a-growing-list-of-local-news-outlets-to-close-the-gap-between-voters-and-elected-officials – This press release details NOTUS expanding its Washington Bureau Initiative by partnering with 13 local publications to ensure leaders are held accountable by their constituents.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NOTUS_%28website%29 – The Wikipedia page provides an overview of NOTUS, including its founding by Robert Allbritton in 2023 and its mission to train aspiring public affairs journalists.
- https://www.washingtonian.com/2025/08/06/washington-post-buyouts-gutting/ – This article discusses the staff buyouts at The Washington Post, highlighting the departure of veteran journalists and the impact on the newsroom.
- https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/investigations/3894402/liberal-dark-money-giant-rebrands-to-dodge-scrutiny-observers-say/ – This piece covers the rebranding of Arabella Advisors to Sunflower Services amid scrutiny, illustrating a trend of organisations rebranding to distance themselves from previous associations.
- https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/entertainment/3758044/msnbc-rebrand-ms-now/ – This article reports on MSNBC’s rebranding to MS Now, highlighting the trend of media organisations adopting new identities to signify strategic shifts.
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