The Story Behind OpGov.News
OpGov.News was born from a direct personal experience. When Chirag Kathrani entered the 2024 San Ramon Mayoral Race, he discovered a troubling gap: a city of 85,000 people, a council seat running unopposed, and public meeting records so incomplete that it was impossible to know whether the community supported or opposed any agenda item.
The decline of local news had left a void. Without subscription-driven local journalism holding officials accountable, community voices — the people who actually show up to public meetings and speak — were getting lost. Chirag founded the Open Governance Initiative to change that.
Based in San Ramon since 2011, where he is raising three children, Chirag brings a community-first approach to every decision at OpGov.News — including a strict limit on how much any single donor can contribute, ensuring no outside influence can compromise the platform's integrity.
In His Own Words
"Democracy begins from within and is built on the principles of humanity!"
— Chirag's founding philosophy"No single person should have excessive influence over local journalism. Sustainability is possible with integrity at our core."
— On OpGov's funding model"These voices are getting lost — this platform is dedicated to every member of the community who stands up and confronts their leaders directly."
— On OpGov's missionWhat He Stands For
Government Transparency
Every public meeting, every vote, every comment — preserved and accessible to all citizens.
Community-First Journalism
Reporters trained to engage both sides and surface the voices of people who show up and speak at public meetings.
Editorial Independence
A strict cap on individual donations ensures no single donor can influence coverage.
Civic Engagement
From local elections to city council meetings, OpGov.News connects citizens to the decisions that affect their lives.