(lively music) - I'm Knute Berger, editor at large at Crosscut and host of Mossback's Northwest.

This year, Crosscut hits a milestone: 15 years of original in-depth news and cultural reporting about Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

We launched as a risky experimental online startup seeking to fill a growing gap in local coverage.

In the first year of Crosscut's existence we wrote about the need for police accountability, for more affordable housing.

We wrote our first stories about homelessness, climate change, and even a secretive deal to keep Amazon in town.

Crosscut launched on April 1st, 2007.

Yes, that's right, April Fool's Day.

Was our mission of fool's errand?

No, the need for thoughtful news and insight is more critical than ever, and we're not just online.

We're part of KCTS9.

We produced podcasts and live events designed to grow civic understanding.

At 15 we're bigger and better able to tackle the challenges ahead.

To wish us a happy birthday, go to crosscut.com/birthday.

(lively music)