Type Daily Founded March 31, 1871 Headquarters Salinas, California | Owner(s) Gannett Company Language English | |
 | ||
Circulation 7,876 Daily
10,673 Saturday
(March 2013) | ||
The Salinas Californian, sometimes referred to as The Californian, is the major 24-hour digital and print news organization published in Salinas, California. It is the oldest continuously publishing newspaper in California. The paper is owned by the Gannett Company. The Californian was initially founded in 1871 as the The Salinas Index and assumed its current name during World War II. In 1936, the Index was acquired by Merritt C. Speidel. Gannett bought Speidel Newspapers in 1977.
Since its inception until Sept.28, 2015, the Salinas Californian has issued newspapers from Monday to Saturday. It has never produced a Sunday Edition. It now has a 24-hour 7-day digital presence and prints newspapers Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday only. Its mission is to serve the common good with a special emphasis on local reporting. It has expanded its media tools to include video reports, documentaries, photo galleries, and live feeds -- all available on multiple formats.
The Californian also produces El Sol, a Spanish-language weekly paper that has served Monterey County for 47 years; Off 68, a weekly paper distributed to individuals residing in communities along California State Route 68; and numerous special publications including a Welcome to Salinas Guide, Reader's Choice Awards listing, Guide to the Salinas Rodeo, Spring Wedding Guide, and Health Quarterlies.
The President is Paula Goudreau. Pete Wevurski is the executive editor. Susana Vazquez is the editor of El Sol and Joe Truskot is the Features/Off 68 editor.
Popular features of The Salinas Californian include Jeff Mitchell's "Civic Chronicles" column reporting on local politics and community health issues. Mitchell is a member of the Community Health Reporting Project funded by The California Endowment. Amy Wu writes local government stories and Chelcey Adami offers popular public safety articles. Multimedia journalist Jay Dunn III produces a wide range of content from stand alone "Slice of Salinas" photographs to extensive video commentaries.
Champ Robinson reports on the local sports scene.
In addition to staff reporters, The Californian publishes weekly features such Tom Leyde's Ag Wednesday Profiles and Macgregor Eddy's "We Could Car Less" column with an emphasis on bicycles and mass transportation issues. Other feature writers include Marla Young, Laureen Diephof, and Jan Austin.
As part of the USA Today Network, The Californian makes available stories of significance from the world's largest media company.
The Salinas Californian continues to list community events at no charge in its weekly calendars.