Founded in 2016 by journalists Kate Maxwell and Adrian Fernandez Baumann, The Mendocino Voice came into being to offer a fresh approach to local news in Mendocino County. The idea sparked when they saw that traditional newspapers were cutting back on staff and coverage, leaving many important local stories underreported. They wanted to create a digital‑first newsroom that could quickly cover wildfires, government meetings, and everyday community issues in a way that was easy for residents to access online. Today, The Mendocino Voice continues to operate as an independent, locally owned news organization run by its founders and a small local team. Today, The Mendocino Voice is mainly focused on local news and information for Mendocino County. They cover politics and government decisions, public safety and emergencies like wildfires and storms, environmental issues, local business and community events, and some local sports and arts and entertainment stories. They’re based in Mendocino County, California, and have made a name for themselves as a go‑to source for people who want to stay informed about what’s happening in their own communities. One interesting fact: A unique fact about The Mendocino Voice is how quickly it became known for its wildfire coverage. College students might be surprised to learn that the outlet built much of its early reputation by giving real‑time, on‑the‑ground updates during major Northern California fires, using its website and digital tools to help locals track fast‑changing conditions.