By Adam Pagnucco.
In an era of declining media, the D.C. region has another media outlet – one that has recently expanded. And while the outlet appears primarily focused on national issues for the moment, it is starting to roll out local coverage too.
If you have not yet seen it yet, check out the Washington Sun. Started by Robert Allbritton, the founder of Politico, the outlet was originally known as NOTUS (News of the United States) when it began operations in 2023 and has now rebranded to the Sun. Former Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank, who now writes for the Sun, claims that the outlet’s newsroom has just expanded to 110 people, including at least 28 former Post employees. (The Post laid off a huge chunk of its staff, including most of its local journalists, in February.)
The Washington Sun’s home page as of September 15, 2026.
For now, the Sun’s Metro coverage applies mostly to D.C. However, it has published a handful of articles about Maryland, including these:
In Contentious Takoma Park Race, Civility Is a Campaign Issue – September 15
Immigration Group Sues Trump Admin Over Maryland Arrests – September 12
Maryland Utility Joins Lawsuit Over Potomac River Spill – September 10
Are Maryland Drivers as Bad as Everyone in D.C. Thinks? – September 9
Montgomery County Approved New School Boundaries. Parents Won’t Let It End There. – August 4
The New York Times reports that the Sun plans to introduce a paywall soon costing $9.99 per month. Bethesda Today, WTOP, WAMU and MCM are free. The Banner charges $19.99 per month and the Post charges $140 per year.
I hope the Sun increases its Maryland coverage, but in the meantime, more media is better than less. Welcome!