J425: Value Audit and Fundraising Briefing
Read this audit before subscribing or donating and decide whether the publication has a track record worthy of support.
Editor’s Note: Responsible fundraising requires an honest appraisal of the value entity behind the campain. This is an audit of J425’s work since 2021 and explanation of our fundraising needs. - KTH
I. Executive Summary
The Journal 425 (J425) is an independent, reader-supported online newspaper founded in 2021 by Kevin Thomas Hulten, the former Managing Editor of the now-defunct Lake Stevens Journal. J425 aims to fill the "news desert" left by declining legacy media in Snohomish County, Washington, delivering "local investigative journalism with perspective, edge & authenticity." The publication boasts a significant and highly engaged local audience, particularly among younger demographics.
J425 is currently facing an "unprecedented crisis" following the theft and severe damage of Publisher Kevin Thomas Hulten's car, along with the loss of essential journalistic equipment, personal items, and firearms. These "uninsured losses" have prompted an urgent "RED ALERT fundraising campaign" with a goal of $20,000 by July 1st to ensure the continued operation of the newsroom.
II. Key Themes and Most Important Ideas/Facts
A. Mission and Background of The Journal 425
Filling a News Desert: J425 was launched in 2021 as the successor to the "75-year Legacy" of The Lake Stevens Journal, which "succumbed to the news desert." (Fact Sheet) The publication aims to "fill the news hole left when the legacy weeklies and dailies went under in the 2010s." (Reporting Adds Value)
Focus on Local, Investigative Journalism: J425 is described as "your trusted source for local investigative journalism" and is "committed to pursuing in-depth investigative topics that resonate across a wide footprint." (Fundraising Appeal, Become a Title Sponsor) Its reporting provides "vital, impactful investigative reporting to the Snohomish County community." (Fundraising Appeal)
Publisher Kevin Thomas Hulten's Credentials: The publication is "Led by Publisher Kevin Thomas Hulten," who is recognized as the "2008 State Investigative Reporter of the Year." (Become a Title Sponsor) Hulten has a strong background in journalism, having served as Managing Editor of The Lake Stevens Journal, where he won over 25 peer-reviewed awards. He also has a decade of experience in state and county government and as a strategic/political consultant. (Reporting Adds Value, Fact Sheet)
Reader-Supported Model: J425 operates as a "reader-supported local journalism outlet" and has "got by thanks to our paid subscribers as well as some grants from LION and other journalism orgs." (Fundraising Appeal, Reporting Adds Value) Since its launch, Hulten has "basically worked for free." (Reporting Adds Value)
B. Audience and Reach
Significant Local Footprint: J425 "reaches over 100,000 individuals within a 6-mile radius of Lake Stevens" and has "over 3,000 newsletter subscribers." (Become a Title Sponsor, Fundraising Appeal) "91% of 3,000 J425 subscribers live within Lake Stevens School District boundaries." (Fact Sheet)
Engaged and Youthful Demographics: J425 boasts "the youngest and most engaged audience in the state media market." (Become a Title Sponsor)
18-24 years old: 39.5%
25-34 years old: 39.3%
35-44 years old: 11.6%
13-17 years old: 4.5% (Become a Title Sponsor)
Multi-Platform Presence: J425's footprint includes:
Website (thejournal425.com)
J425Live Instagram (2,000 subscribers, posts reaching up to 700,000)
425Kev X (1,400 subscribers, posts regularly reaching 30,000+) (Fact Sheet)
C. Track Record and Impactful Reporting
Award-Winning Journalism: Publisher Hulten is a 25-time Washington Newspaper Publisher Association award winner for excellence in journalism, including the 2007 Investigative Reporter of the Year. J425 was a "Runner-up for the National Journalistic Impact Awards in 2024" for its series "Predators in Public Schools." (Fundraising Appeal, Fact Sheet) It also won the "State Farm Friday Night Feats award for best high school football coverage in the country" in 2010 (under Hulten's previous tenure). (Reporting Adds Value, Fact Sheet)
The Best Source for Local News and Sports
Sports Coverage: J425 provides "The Best Viking Football Coverage" and "Focus on Girls Athletics," including features on athletes like Laura Eichert and over 1000 photos/videos of female prep athletes. (Reporting Adds Value)
Local News, Politics, and Events: J425 covers "school levy and bond campaigns, city council races, development issues, business openings and annual events like Aquafest." (Reporting Adds Value) Over half of its 1500+ articles since 2021 fall into this category and "almost all were provided for free, without advertising and without a paywall." (Reporting Adds Value)
Key Investigative Stories and Their Outcomes:
"Predators in Public Schools": This series covered "predatory teachers in several different instances across our coverage area” and won national acclaim (LION Journalistic Impact Award) (Reporting Adds Value)
Hein: “You Look Like My Wife. She’s Infertile…What Are Your Plans After HS?”
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“You Look Like My Wife. She’s Infertile…What Are Your Plans After HS?”
Mark Hein: J425's reporting on Lake Stevens basketball coach Mark Hein's arrest led to his firing. "Hein was fired at the end of 2025, his victim is engaged in a civil suit with the district." (Reporting Adds Value) The reporting highlighted the "vastly different" findings between police and the school district regarding Hein's conduct. (Reporting Adds Value)
Prosecutors say Julian Willis is a threat to the public and a flight risk who fled rape allegations in three states - and yet he's free on bond in Lake Stevens
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Julian Willis poses a significant threat to the public, particularly against those in vulnerable environments, given the historical extent of his predatory behavior and his blatant disregard for the rule of law.
Julian Willis: J425 "broke the story of Julian Willis’ sexual misconduct at Kamiak High School." Willis was fired the day after J425 published its first story. The reporting also "broke the story that Willis had previously fled rape cases in three states – and we substantiated at least eight victims with credible accusations of sexual assault."
Willis was convicted and "He’ll do 7 months in prison and he faces lifetime sex offender registry."
John Robert Doty: J425 was first to publish the full story on Archbishop Murphy teacher John Robert Doty's arrest on child porn charges. "Doty was fired by Archbishop and his case – an expected guilty plea – is pending."
Eugene Brian Garvie: J425 plans future reporting on Garvie, a former wrestling referee convicted of child rape, noting the Lake Stevens School District's alleged failure to act on a victim's report prior to his arrest.
Justice and Accountability Reporting
"Correcting Injustice: 18-year-old Released from Jail After J425 Reporting Changes Perceptions" (Mohammed "Mo" Jaiteh case): J425's reporting "revealed the many flaws in the state’s case against Jaiteh," who was held on a $1 million murder bond. This reporting, and "volunteer work with the public defender’s office helped Jaiteh obtain a much lower bond figure, and he is currently awaiting trial from the safety of his family home in Everett."
Roosevelt Football: Scandal Substantiated by Fact-finder Report
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SEATTLE — Roosevelt’s football coach and principal are out… and both the Roosevelt athletic director AND the district athletic director for Seattle Public Schools are facing multi-year probations after an investigation into improper football recruiting – launched in part after J425 was
"Roosevelt Transfer Scandal": J425 "was first to report that at least ten athletes with ties to this trainer had transferred en masse to Roosevelt High School."The investigation ultimately led to the principal, head coach, and two assistant coaches being "brought down by this story," along with "fines and probation against the athletic office for the entire Seattle Schools system." (Roosevelt Penalties Part II)
"The Murder of Antonio Mays Jr at CHOP": J425 is "the only outlet that stayed on this story," surfacing "new video and audio that directly reveals at least one of the two suspected murderers." The reporting detailed "white security personnel" taunting the dying boy, and "BLM activists assisting the white shooter in disposing of evidence."
Nationally-recognized Prep Sports Coverage and Photography
Your Home for State Champion Viking Football (Archive Dating Back to 2006)
Concentrated coverage on female prep athletes.
![[UNLOCKED] For Lake Stevens’ Laura Eichert, Gatorade State Volleyball Player of the Year is Just the Latest Honor in Legendary Career](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NrO1!,w_140,h_140,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0c74def7-084a-4c80-a9aa-4240bc9882ff_4610x3010.jpeg)
Award-winning features
Thousands of original photos and 500+ original videos, all free, both at the site on and on Instagram.
D. Current Crisis and Fundraising Appeal ("RED ALERT")
My Car Was Stolen and Used in the Attempted Murder of a Police Officer
Now they needed to find the driver, the cop said. And arrest her for attempted murder.
The Incident: Publisher Kevin Thomas Hulten's "2015 BMW M235ix" was "stolen from his garage" by "someone you know." (Fundraising Appeal, My Car Was Stolen)
The car was later used in an "attempted murder of a police officer," where the "female driver tried to run over a cop and reached speeds of over 115 mph on side streets in Pierce County." (Fundraising Appeal, Journal 425: Red Alert)
The car was recovered "severely damaged" with a "snapped rear axle and is being held as evidence in an attempted murder case." (Fundraising Appeal)
Uninsured Losses: "None of the damages or losses are insurable." (Journal 425: Red Alert) The "insurance will not cover any of these losses—no reimbursement for damages, impound fees, car repairs, or equipment replacement." (Fundraising Appeal)
Stolen Equipment and Personal Items: "Valuable journalistic equipment, personal items, and firearms were also stolen from the vehicle." (Fundraising Appeal)
Journalistic Tools: FUJIFILM complete camera system, DJI Mini 4 Pro drone, DJI Lavalier Microphones and mixer board, Macbook Air, 1 TB HDD flash drive. (Fundraising Appeal, Stolen Car Itemized Losses)
Personal Items/Firearms: Apple iPod Pro 2, sunglasses, wallet, ID, REAL ID, passport, concealed carry license, "Every Day Carry Glock 43x 9mm MOS with red dot optic and holster.” (Fundraising Appeal, Stolen Car Itemized Losses, My Car Was Stolen)
Financial Impact: These losses "threaten our ability to continue delivering critical local news." (Fundraising Appeal) J425 "simply don't have the cash reserves to cover a disaster of this magnitude" as it "hasn't taken a salary since its launch in 2021." (Fundraising Appeal, Journal 425: Red Alert)
Fundraising Goal: $20,000 by July 1st. (Fundraising Appeal)
Estimated Losses:
Vehicle Repairs & Fees: $9,750 (for BMW M235ix, including broken rear axle, inspection, additional repairs, towing/impound). (Fundraising Appeal, Stolen Car Itemized Losses)
Stolen Equipment & Personal Items: $11,100 (detailed list includes camera, drone, mics, personal electronics, and firearms). (Fundraising Appeal, Stolen Car Itemized Losses)
Total Estimated Losses: $19,850. (Fundraising Appeal, Stolen Car Itemized Losses)
E. Ways to Support The Journal 425
GoFundMe Campaign: Primary goal is to raise $10,000 (initially stated as $7,500 in one source). This will "primarily help cover the extensive car repairs." (Fundraising Appeal, Journal 425: Red Alert) Campaign link.
Special Offer: "The five largest donations across GoFundMe, Amazon Wishlist, or Cash App will receive a limited edition J425 wall print, signed and hand-numbered out of 5." (Fundraising Appeal)
Become a Title Sponsor: Businesses and community stakeholders can provide "crucial support" by sponsoring specific subject matter areas for "$1,000 - $1,500."
See Title Sponsor page for more info or purchase a Title Sponsorship here.
Benefits include a "custom banner ad on the section, as well as a credited sponsor byline at end of every article published under their category heading."
Available categories include "J425 Investigates," "Viking Football Stories and Stats," "Local News," and "Politics." J425 is aiming for "5+ new Title Sponsorships."
Subscribe to The Journal 425: Individuals can subscribe to the newspaper annually for ~$79. A "25% off annual subscriptions through June" deal is offered. J425 is aiming for "50+ new subscribers."
Amazon Wishlist or Cash App: Donations for specific items can be made via Cash App ($J425Live). (Fundraising Appeal, Journal 425: Red Alert)
III. Conclusion
The Journal 425, a vital source of local investigative journalism in Snohomish County, is facing a severe financial challenge due to a recent car theft and associated uninsured losses.
The "RED ALERT fundraising campaign" is critical to replacing essential equipment and repairing damage, allowing J425 to continue its impactful reporting on issues ranging from public school predators and legal injustices to local sports and community news. The call for "immediate support through our GoFundMe, new subscriptions, and title sponsorships" underscores the urgency of their situation.
If you feel the publication is worthy of support, please join in our campaign. - KTH
Urgent Appeal: Support The Journal 425 After Devastating Loss
Editor’s Note: Post is written by a colleague. I’m horrible at asking for things. - KTH