The Almanac is rated Left-Center with High factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
LEFT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources have a slight to moderate liberal bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes) to favor liberal causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Left-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate The Almanac Left-Center Biased based on balanced local reporting combined with moderately progressive editorial and opinion priorities. We also rate it High for factual reporting due to strong sourcing, transparent authorship, clear separation of news and opinion, and a clean fact-check record.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER (-2.5)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (1.0)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
The Almanac is a nonprofit local news publication serving Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, Woodside, and surrounding communities in California’s San Francisco Bay Area. According to its About page, the newspaper was founded in 1965 by Portola Valley residents Betty Fry, Hedy Boissevain, and Jean Helfin. Its website, AlmanacNews.com, publishes breaking news, community information, and content from the weekly newspaper.
The Almanac is part of the Embarcadero Media Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit local journalism organization that operates newspapers and hyperlocal websites throughout the Midpeninsula and East Bay. The foundation states that its mission is to inform residents, hold government accountable, and strengthen local communities.
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
The Almanac is published by the nonprofit Embarcadero Media Foundation. The organization transitioned from a locally owned commercial media company to nonprofit ownership in 2024.
Funding comes from advertising, memberships, individual and foundation donations, business support, sponsorships, and other community contributions. The foundation maintains an editorial independence policy stating that donors and advertisers have no influence over editorial decisions. It publicly identifies donors contributing $5,000 or more annually.
Analysis / Bias
The Almanac primarily publishes fact-based local journalism covering government, education, housing, public safety, courts, business, and community affairs. Local news reporting is typically fact-based and low-bias, like this: Judge sides with The Stanford Daily, rules federal government violated the Constitution.
Editorial and opinion content shows a modest progressive lean, particularly on affordable housing, environmental protection, social programs, and civil liberties. For example, Guest Opinion: Don’t let state’s CalHome cuts put homeownership out of reach advocates continued state support for affordable homeownership. However, the opinion section also publishes criticism of local government, public spending, housing mandates, and other viewpoints that do not consistently favor the left.
In general, The Almanac is fact-based with a slight leftward lean in editorial priorities and opinion selection.
Failed Fact Checks
- None to date
Overall, we rate The Almanac Left-Center Biased based on balanced local reporting combined with moderately progressive editorial and opinion priorities. We also rate it High for factual reporting due to strong sourcing, transparent authorship, clear separation of news and opinion, and a clean fact-check record. (D. Van Zandt 08/30/2026)
Source: https://www.almanacnews.com/
Last Updated on August 30, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources