When lawmakers rescinded $1.1 billion in public media funding, hundreds of local NPR/PBS outlets — especially rural and Indigenous stations — were pushed to the brink. Enter Adopt-A-Station, a simple dashboard that spotlights the most at-risk outlets and turns clicks into gifts; in its first month, it drew 40,000 visitors and funneled donors directly to stations like KTNA in Alaska — proof that a lean tool can move real money, fast. more

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a Silicon Valley experiment — it’s showing up in the workflows of scrappy startups, statewide broadcasters and national newsletter networks. From a small New Jersey outlet using AI to publish a dozen daily newsletters, to Michigan Public building a searchable transcript database of hundreds of town meetings, to 6AM City scaling community newsletters to more than 400 cities, the experiments are multiplying. The lesson? Generative AI proves most powerful not when it replaces journalists, but when it’s matched to newsroom needs — filtering vital health bulletins, digging through government records or automating tedious production work. As Bob Sillick explores, AI’s true value in media is emerging not in theory, but in practice. more

Audiences are hungry for visual journalism, and editors know it. Yet a new CatchLight study finds most local newsrooms are cutting photo staff, underfunding visuals and leaving key decisions to leaders with little or no visual background. “If you know visuals will generate revenue, then you’re willing to invest more in them,” said Michelle Kanaar of CatchLight Local. The report reveals a sobering paradox: even as 85% of editors call visuals a top priority, only 31% employ a full-time staff photographer — raising tough questions about whether local outlets can meet the demand. more

Newsrooms know they need to meet audiences where they are — and today, that’s on TikTok and Instagram. But making videos that actually resonate takes more than quick clips. Spotlight Delaware’s viral “Tell Your Tía” series shows how creative framing and smart strategy can transform social media into a serious channel for local news. Here’s how they did it — and six lessons your newsroom can put to work right now. more

Local journalism’s future depends on more than new business models and revenue streams — it depends on people. Report for America (RFA) is helping fill that need by placing bright, ambitious reporters in newsrooms across the country, where they’re covering critical beats and building trust in the communities they serve. According to RFA’s 2025 Impact Report, the program has grown from just three placements in 2018 to 97 in this year’s class, with more than half securing permanent newsroom positions. Four of those corps members share what it means to “hit the ground reporting,” offering an inside look at their daily work and the impact they’re making on local news. more

There is a lot of scary news. Some days it can seem overwhelming. For those of you in the news industry, it may seem relentless — especially in the face of cutbacks, layoffs, diminishing trust and constant swipes at the media. Robin Blinder, editor in chief of E&P Magazine, says it is imperative that we can, for our mental health, take a step back and look for the good news — or look for the helpers. For news organizations that haven’t yet looked at the Report for America (RFA) Corps program, take a look at what you are missing. more

What if saving the planet was pitched like saving money? That’s the question driving The Cool Down, a fast-growing lifestyle platform that skips the doom and gloom of traditional climate coverage in favor of everyday advice people actually want. Launched in July 2022 by the team behind Bleacher Report and a former ABC News executive, TCD now reaches 45 million monthly visitors and outranks major players like Reuters, HuffPost and POLITICO. Its secret? Data-driven storytelling that meets mainstream audiences where they are — with clear benefits for their wallets, well-being and the world. more

Journalism has long weathered disruption, but today’s digital currents are more chaotic than ever. Artificial intelligence, platform deprioritization of news, declining referral traffic and a growing lack of attribution are pushing publishers into unfamiliar waters — demanding not just adaptation, but a full-on re-set of how they engage with audiences on social media. more

Social media is now, according to this year’s Reuters Digital News Report, the top source for news — especially for the younger consumer. It was for this reason that E&P believed it was important to look at social media and what it means for news outlets today — how it’s changed and what news outlets need to consider. more

Capital B isn’t just reporting on Black America — it’s redefining what it means to serve it. Founded by two media powerhouses who saw the gaps and said “enough,” this nonprofit newsroom is now setting the pace for inclusive, investigative journalism in Black communities nationwide. From Atlanta to Gary and beyond, Capital B is proving that when Black journalists lead the coverage, the stories hit deeper — and the accountability runs higher. E&P explores how Capital B is reshaping local news, and why its mission has never been more urgent. more

For nearly two centuries, The Associated Press has been at the forefront of delivering trusted news to the world. Now, as press freedom faces fresh threats and AI reshapes the media landscape, the AP is doubling down on innovation and accountability. From defending its First Amendment rights in court to launching programs that strengthen local journalism, the AP is proving that age is no barrier to reinvention. “You must be adaptable to shift and evolve as audiences change,” said Executive Editor Julie Pace — a philosophy that has kept the AP relevant since 1846. more

For many, Hawai‘i conjures visions of paradise — but for local journalists, it’s become a harder place to report from. Shrinking ad dollars, vanishing newsrooms and the high cost of living have left communities like Maui increasingly underserved. In response, a group of veteran journalists and media leaders launched the Hawai‘i Journalism Initiative to bring back in-depth, local reporting where it’s needed most. With strong partnerships and deep community roots, HJI is already making waves across Maui County — one story at a time. more

CherryRoad Media didn’t just enter the local news business—it charged in with a mission. Led by Jeremy Gulban and Lee Bachlet, the team has built a network of 93 newspapers across 18 states in less than five years, fueled by a rare mix of tech savvy, journalistic passion, and strategic reinvention. From reclaiming printing operations to centralizing business functions and empowering editors like Kim Fleeting and Megan Pullyard, CherryRoad is proving there’s still a future for small-town journalism. Their story is one of bold moves, hard lessons, and an unwavering belief that local news matters. more

When The New York Post branded her school the “School of Glock,” high school senior Fredlove Deshommes knew there was more to the story — and she wasn’t about to let someone else write it. Armed with a microphone instead of a headline bias, she set out to reclaim her school’s narrative through a youth podcasting program that’s changing journalism from the inside out. Across New York City, students like Fredlove are stepping behind the mic — and into the byline — thanks to The Bell and the NYC Youth Journalism Coalition. It’s not just about telling stories; it’s about rewriting who gets to tell them. more

Since its founding in November 2020, Almost — an independent social-first news outlet delivering global news stories for young people all around the world — has amassed more than 309,000 followers across all accounts and a reach of 27.7 million in early 2025. It’s delivery strategy is multi-platform, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Threads, Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Bluesky. more

On the afternoon of April 2, the News/Media Alliance notified all its members that newsprint imported from Canada is exempt from the 25% tariff. The exemption applies to all compliant goods from Canada and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). more

Dallas Voice has been persistent and undeterred in its mission since 1984 to speak loudly and proudly for the Dallas LGBTQ community. Dallas Voice tells the community's many stories and advocates for the advances in equality, legal rights and basic human respect the community enjoys today. more

When most publishers face deadline pressure, they don’t also have to worry about snow machines or satellite links. But in Wasilla, Alaska, J. David McChesney is redefining local journalism with a mobile newsroom, tank treads and all. He’s not just publishing the Frontiersman — he’s literally chasing stories across a news desert the size of West Virginia. This is a story about what happens when one man turns the last frontier into a proving ground for modern community journalism. more

Events benefit local news outlets, regardless of their size, geographic setting or specialized audiences. In this article, Editor & Publisher columnist Bob Sillick examines the positive effect of events on local news media, their communities and their business/revenue models. more

Everyone has the right to tell their story and share their creativity, including those incarcerated behind prison walls. Despite limited opportunities to express themselves amid prison restrictions and rules, the climate is changing. Among those leading the change is Benjamin Frandsen, who was incarcerated in California for many years and now runs the nonprofit Ben Free Project. more