When Weazel News launched on March 1, 2024, it wasn’t born from corporate money or glossy boardrooms. It was born as a start-up — eager, hungry, and determined to give San Andreas something it had been missing: an authentic news outlet that told the public what was (and wasn’t) happening in their state. We didn’t hold back, we demanded accountability, and we became the first — and only — news agency officially approved by the state.
That early period was fast, messy, and imperfect. We pulled in anyone with a spark of interest, because when you’re building from scratch, you take chances on people. We had technical problems with our publishing system. We had to iron out review processes. But those processes mattered. They stopped reckless articles — including unverified claims about a police chief “ordering a hit” and a wildlife officer accused of selling illegal meat. Accountability takes time. Accuracy takes work.
The whistleblower in the Vinewood Journal is now parading? Let’s be honest: we all know who that is. They’re the type of person who would leave their keycard on the front desk and walk out without a word. That’s not bravery. That’s quitting.
Now, to the personal part. Vinewood wants to come after me directly. Fine. I’ve wanted nothing but the best for this state. After building Weazel News from the ground up — while also working moonlighting at the Public Works Department — I burnt out. I stepped back for my own health. That’s not a scandal. That’s being human. If anyone thinks they should shame me for that, so be it.
Did I expect Weazel to keep rolling without me? Absolutely. But we stumbled. And now, we’re back. Stronger, sharper, and with readership higher than ever. That’s not a collapse. That’s recovery.
And let me be clear: we welcome the Vinewood Journal into the news world. We have nothing against competition — in fact, competition makes us all better. That’s the beauty of the world we live in. Despite everything, we still can exercise free speech, and that’s something worth protecting.
From the very beginning, we covered stories others wouldn’t touch. We broke the news on the Sandy Shores protest that ended in an unlikely campfire truce, exposed the collapse of crypto coin during the crypto transition, and reported on the Palmer-Taylor bomb scare, where officers turned the power station into a jungle gym. We’ve reported on deputies caught sleeping on duty, wild shootouts across the state, and, yes, the state’s ongoing struggle with accountability at every level of government.
Weazel News has always been about more than one person. It’s about our staff, our readers, and the role we play in holding this state accountable. Vinewood can take their shots. I’ll take mine on the chin. But at the end of the day, we’re still here — publishing, reporting, and yes… confirming your prejudices.
Arnie Palmer
Editor-in-Chief, Weazel News
