It is a historic day for PubliCola, and in a small way, maybe even for local political journalism.

AP reporter and Capitol Correspondents Association President Curt Woodward just issued an official press credential to Josh this morning, making PubliCola's editor, "the first internet-based reporter in the state to get press credentials" on the state capitol beat.

 Using language from the state's 2007 shield law that says the professional press can include "internet or electronic distribution" the state House and Senate told Woodward that the new rules applied to Feit's reporting. 

I suspect there will be more such credentials issued in the near future as journalism (particularly political journalism) continues to transition online. Still, it is kind of nice to be first. 

 I can't help but see this development as another small but significant milestone in the rapidly changing media landscape which saw the P-I end its print edition last week and go to an all online publication itself. When Olympia, where it seems like nothing ever changes, acknowledges a trend, you pretty much know it's for real.