Andrew Keatts, a seasoned journalist with deep ties to San Diego, is set to assume the role of general manager and editor at the Times of San Diego starting September 8. Born out of a love for community news, his journey into journalism began at an early age when he celebrated his Pop Warner football team’s championship, which was covered by the local newspaper, Columbia Flier. Inspired by that experience, Keatts aims to bring a similar level of engagement and personal touch to the Times of San Diego.
In a recent interview, Keatts emphasized the importance of building a relationship with the community. He noted, “This is a chance to build. You talk to people and listen to them. You need to show your audience you’re trusted, part of the community and you share their values.”
Keatts, 41, succeeds Chris Jennewein, the founding editor of the Times of San Diego, who has decided to step back from daily operations after decades of service in the newsroom. Jennewein has played a pivotal role in developing the Times into a significant online news outlet over the past decade. He expressed confidence in Keatts taking the organization to new heights, stating, “Andrew is the right person to build on Times of San Diego’s success and take it to the next level. I’m excited to hand off the baton to a new generation of editorial leadership.”
The Times of San Diego, along with the San Diego Community Newspaper Group, is now managed by NEWSWELL, a nonprofit organization based at Arizona State University dedicated to transforming local news landscapes. NEWSWELL’s role allows local journalists to focus on producing content while benefiting from strategic operational support.
Keatts envisions a more robust and expansive coverage for the Times of San Diego. His plan includes not just daily news updates but also feature stories and investigative journalism that delve deeper into issues affecting the community. He is considering bringing back long-form magazine-style articles, which were once a staple of San Diego’s alternative weeklies.
“So much has been lost from local coverage. It’s not a matter of replacing it all at once,” he remarked, highlighting the gaps left by the waning local news industry.
His early exposure to journalism came through his mother, who was a high school newspaper adviser. However, he initially pursued a different path, working as a bartender after graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University. During this time, he visited San Diego and fell in love with the city, which ultimately led him to make it his home.
After a year of various jobs, including as a kayak tour guide in La Jolla, Keatts returned to Maryland to be with his future wife, Carly. He launched his journalism career as an editor for What’s Up? Annapolis, a regional magazine, but the allure of San Diego never faded.
In 2010, after persistently sending out resumes, Keatts landed a position as the City Hall reporter for The Daily Transcript. This role proved to be an excellent training ground, providing him with the discipline to publish daily stories and hone his reporting skills.
His next major step came three years later when he joined Voice of San Diego as an investigative reporter. Embracing a rigorous and fearless approach to journalism there, Keatts was instrumental in uncovering significant stories, particularly concerning the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). He revealed that SANDAG had produced financial and population studies it knew were inaccurate while attempting to convince voters of their validity for initiatives.
These investigative efforts led to a scandal that ultimately forced SANDAG’s CEO to resign and prompted legislative reforms at the state level. Reflecting on that period, he stated, “We were a dog with a bone when we broke a big story. We would grab the powers that be by the lapels and demand a response.”
Keatts later transitioned into editing roles, eventually becoming managing editor at Voice of San Diego. However, feeling the itch for new challenges, he joined the San Diego branch of Axios. Despite the excitement of working with a national news organization, he found that it did not fulfill his desire to build and operate a robust news-gathering enterprise.
Now back at the Times of San Diego, Keatts is enthusiastic about the potential the platform has to expand storytelling to not just its core audience but also to readers of various community newspapers and newsletters across the region. He has expressed his excitement in revitalizing local journalism, stating, “I think the potential is huge.”
Identifying the importance of neighborhood-specific reporting, Keatts aims to address the underreported areas throughout San Diego County. He believes that by digging deeper and connecting more with community members, the Times of San Diego can regain some of the lost local coverage that is vital for informed civic engagement.
Overall, as Keatts embarks on this new chapter, he looks forward to shaping journalism in San Diego while maintaining a commitment to community trust and shared values. Readers can reach him directly at [email protected].
image source from：timesofsandiego
