California county cuts news outlet from media list after critical coverage

Shasta Scout, an independent nonprofit news outlet based in Redding, California, was notified on Oct. 3, 2025, that it had been removed from the media distribution list for the registrar of voters for Shasta County.

When Shasta Scout asked about its removal, Registrar Clint Curtis said he excluded the outlet because it’s not a “legitimate” newsroom, citing its nonprofit status and perceived “political lean,” according to a letter from David Loy, legal director of the First Amendment Coalition.

The coalition said the move violates press freedom and has prompted widespread public condemnation. “No publication should have to couch its news coverage for fear of losing basic rights guaranteed to the media,” Loy wrote.

After demands that Scout be reinstated to the press list and threats of legal action, Curtis responded by halting all news releases to outlets and referring the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice, according to an email shared with the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.

“If they agree that we must include them then we will do so, should we ever decide to continue sending press releases,” wrote Curtis.

The issue came to a head Oct. 14, when the Shasta County Board of Supervisors held a closed-session meeting and unanimously voted to issue a public statement supporting a free press and condemning Curtis’ actions.

The board also warned it may consider censure if the behavior continues, according to county spokesman Stewart Buettell.

“I’m really grateful that the community’s rights to a free and unfettered press are being upheld by our board,” Annelise Pierce, Shasta Scout’s editor, told the Tracker.

In an email Oct. 16, Curtis told the Tracker all news releases are now published on the county’s website, which he said has been the case since before he was in the position.

After the board meeting, Curtis told reporters it felt “morally wrong” to share news releases with Shasta Scout, which he believes is “operating improperly” as a nonprofit newsroom, Shasta Scout reported.

Pierce said Curtis has refused to provide evidence to support his claims, which she called baseless. She said Shasta Scout’s reporting is fair, factual and fully compliant with nonprofit law.

“We have worked very hard to be excessively cautious in our coverage,” she said. “We have provided pretty hard-hitting reporting on Mr. Curtis, because a lot of issues have arisen since he was placed in the role.”

Shasta Scout was targeted, Pierce said, after it published election stories critical of Curtis, including an article questioning whether the California secretary of state had approved his proposed ballot procedures.

Pierce had also received a voicemail and phone call from Assistant Registrar of Voters Brent Turner, who accused her of trying to sway the election in favor of Curtis’ opponent.

Though Pierce said the situation is stressful, she and her team remain committed to providing the community with local news coverage.

“Front-line democracy reporting requires courage, and we have plenty of it,” Pierce said. “We will not shrink back from reporting these stories.”