Ward Media is expanding its presence in Kitsap County with the launch of West Sound News, a free digital news platform providing local reporting on government, business, education, public safety, sports and community life.
Ward Media is expanding its presence in Kitsap County with the launch of West Sound News, a free digital news platform providing local reporting on government, business, education, public safety, sports and community life.
The new website, westsoundnews.com, is now live, with a free daily email newsletter scheduled to launch Tuesday, Dec. 1. The newsletter will arrive in subscribers’ inboxes by 6 a.m., delivering the day’s top local headlines and community updates.
West Sound News joins Ward Media’s growing portfolio of local publications, including Kitsap Business magazine, Hey Neighbor! Kitsap and Hey Neighbor! Olympic.
Unlike many digital news platforms, West Sound News will operate without a paywall, making its reporting accessible to all readers. The publication will be supported through local advertising, sponsorships and voluntary reader contributions.
“Kitsap has more going on than ever and fewer people covering it. West Sound News is our answer: real reporting from people who live here, free for everyone, and in your inbox before your first cup of coffee,” said Terry Ward, Ward Media’s founder, CEO and publisher.
Expanding local news coverage
The launch represents another investment in community journalism by Ward Media, an independently owned media company founded in 2023.
West Sound News will initially emphasize Poulsbo and North Kitsap while covering issues affecting communities throughout Kitsap County.
Coverage will include city and county government, economic development, transportation, schools, public safety and community events. The publication will also feature high school athletics, including scores, schedules and a weekly Kitsap prep sports scoreboard.
North Kitsap reporting will encompass Kingston, Hansville, Suquamish, Indianola, Keyport and Port Gamble. Stories from those communities will also appear under the North Kitsap News name at northkitsap.news.
Business journalism will be a central component of the new publication, with reporting produced in collaboration with Kitsap Business magazine.
Stories and columns from Kitsap Business will also appear in West Sound News’ business section, expanding the reach of the magazine’s coverage of local entrepreneurs, employers, economic trends and business leaders.
Ward Media plans to expand West Sound News’ geographic coverage in 2027, bringing more original reporting to additional communities throughout Kitsap County. The expansion will build on the publication’s initial focus on Poulsbo and North Kitsap, with the goal of providing more comprehensive coverage of local government, businesses, schools and community issues across the county.
Local team leads expansion
Quinn Propst, a staff reporter for Kitsap Business, will cover Poulsbo, North Kitsap and countywide issues for both publications.
Ward will also contribute reporting and editorial content to the website.
Amy Yaley, Ward Media’s co-founder and chief operating officer, will oversee advertising sales and business partnerships, while multimedia account executive Harmony Liebert will work directly with local advertisers.
Ward previously served as vice president of Sound Publishing, where he led Kitsap News Group until 2023. His return to the Kitsap news market through Ward Media builds on his previous experience overseeing community publications in the region.
Community participation encouraged
West Sound News is designed to provide residents, businesses and community organizations with opportunities to contribute information and participate in local news coverage.
The publication will accept news tips, press releases, letters to the editor, community announcements and sports submissions.
Families and funeral homes can submit obituaries for publication at no charge. Community organizations can also add events to the website’s calendar through free basic listings, with paid featured listings available.
Coaches, parents and athletic departments are encouraged to submit high school sports scores, photographs and team updates.
Submissions can be made through forms on the website or by emailing news@westsoundnews.com.
Readers who wish to financially support local reporting can make voluntary, one-time contributions. Because Ward Media is a for-profit business, contributions are not tax-deductible.
Advertising and founding partnerships
As part of the launch, Ward Media is introducing a Founding Partner sponsorship program offering six exclusive opportunities to local businesses.
Each sponsorship will be limited to one business per category, providing participating companies with prominent visibility across the West Sound News website and in every edition of its daily newsletter.
The program is intended to connect local businesses with readers while establishing a sustainable advertising foundation for the publication.
Businesses interested in advertising or Founding Partner opportunities can visit westsoundnews.com/advertising, email harmony@ward.media or call 360-328-1052.
The launch further expands Ward Media’s Kitsap County operations, connecting its existing business journalism and community marketing products with a broader digital news audience.
Readers can subscribe to the free daily newsletter at westsoundnews.com/newsletter and follow West Sound News on Facebook and Instagram at @westsoundnews.
Kitsap Business and West Sound News are both owned and published by Ward Media.
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