Eighteen months after a devastating wildfire displaced thousands of residents, The Palisadian-Post is back, with a new ownership team, a digital-first strategy and a mission to help rebuild a fractured community. In this E&P Quick Reads report, contributing writer Alyssa Choiniere explores how Tim and Laura Schneider are reviving a beloved local news brand, reconnecting scattered Palisadians and reimagining what community journalism can look like after disaster.

The Supreme Court’s decision to leave the landmark “actual malice” standard intact may have passed quietly, but its impact on press freedom, public debate and defamation law is enormous. In his latest “Democracy Desk” op-ed, Digital Media Laureate and E&P columnist Stuart N. Brotman explains why the legal doctrine at the heart of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan remains a crucial safeguard against efforts to silence criticism of powerful figures.

When The Valley Independent shut down in 2015, many feared Monessen, Pennsylvania, had lost more than a newspaper. But just four months later, a new publication emerged in its image, thanks to some local community leaders. In this special report, which marks The Mon Valley Independent’s 10th anniversary, E&P’s Tandy Lau explores how the local news brand not only survived the brief closure, but built a new newsroom, compelled subscribers and proved its long-range viability.

Behind prison walls are stories that are rarely seen and often difficult to tell. In this powerful examination, E&P’s Alyssa Choiniere explores the challenges of covering America’s correctional systems — from limited access and monitored communications to protecting sources who risk retaliation. Read how journalists from The Marshall Project, ProPublica and the Prison Journalism Project are uncovering abuses, amplifying incarcerated voices and finding ways to create meaningful change through difficult and sensitive reporting.

Can AI help solve one of journalism’s oldest business challenges instead of accelerating its decline? In this Shoptalk op-ed, Bill Densmore — Reynolds Journalism Institute fellow and founder of ITEGA.org — argues that AI has finally made it practical to build a long-envisioned marketplace that would let publishers collectively sell and share trusted digital content while giving readers a simpler way to pay for journalism. His proposal could reshape how news organizations think about subscriptions, licensing and the future of online information.

As search traffic disappears and Gen Z increasingly gets its news from social media, YouTube and AI, news media publishers are confronting a question that could determine their future: How do you build loyalty with an audience that rarely visits your website? In this thought-provoking “Voices” column, E&P columnist Rob Tornoe explores why younger readers are abandoning traditional news habits — and offers some practical strategies for reaching the next generation before it’s too late.

From “healthcare” becoming one word to new guidance on artificial intelligence, K-pop and Indigenous communities, The Associated Press Stylebook’s 58th edition reflects how quickly language — and journalism — is evolving. Behind those updates is a careful, collaborative editorial process. E&P’s Tandy Lau explores how the Stylebook adapts to a rapidly changing world in this month’s “Quick Read.”

One year after the loss of federal funding upended public media, stations are still navigating an uncertain future. While mergers, shared services and emergency philanthropy have dominated the conversation, E&P Columnist Alex Curley — founder of Semipublic and creator of AdoptAStation.org — suggests the industry’s survival may depend on real-time data that allows leadership to be better informed and more agile, and demonstrates to donors which stations are having the greatest local impact. Curley explains why the next 250 weeks will be the most consequential period in public media’s history.

America’s childhood literacy crisis is deepening, with reading proficiency continuing to decline after the pandemic. Could local news media become part of the solution? In this “Quick Read,” E&P’s editor-in-chief explores how Kid Scoop News Founder Vicki Whiting is using community journalism to help children fall in love with reading while strengthening civic engagement.

Are your media salespeople trying to convince clients, or are they influencing them? E&P columnist and media sales strategist Shannon Kinney explains why trust, emotional intelligence and adviser-based selling have become the real competitive advantage in today’s advertising market. Learn how shifting from pitching products to building influence can shorten sales cycles, strengthen client relationship and drive long-term revenue growth.

What does it take to make journalism more accessible — for audiences and for the journalists who produce it? As Equal Access Public Media prepares for a rebrand as the Organization for Accessible Journalism, founder Stacy Kess reflects on the life-changing accident that inspired the nonprofit’s mission and the growing movement to remove barriers across the news industry. E&P’s Tandy Lau explores the organization’s evolution, its ambitious vision and why accessibility benefits everyone.

Behind every local newspaper is a newsroom few readers ever see. Ann Hermes spent 10 years photographing more than 50 of them around the U.S., revealing both the quiet toll of industry decline and the enduring spirit of the journalists who refuse to give up. Editor & Publisher’s Editor-in-Chief Gretchen A. Peck spoke with Hermes about the passion project — and why it serves as both a tribute to local journalism and a call to preserve it.

Curiosity comes easy, but turning it into expertise is hard. E&P Columnist Chad Davis argues that one of AI’s greatest strengths may be helping people gain and structure knowledge deliberately. He tested the theory with a generative AI-driven workflow that transformed dozens of books into a yearlong course of study about public media. His process offers a practical blueprint for anyone who needs to organize large volumes of information.

At 28, Samuel B. Parker’s journalism career is already remarkable and impactful. The award-winning Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter files as many as 10 FOIA requests a week, turning the findings into daily scoops. In this month’s “Shoptalk,” guest columnist Chris Coates — senior director, local news, Lee Enterprises — shares insight into Parker’s winning playbook.

What does it take for a newsroom to prosper on social media in 2026? In this exclusive Q&A, E&P’s Bob Miller discusses social-first content and platform performance with Travis Lyles, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s director of social media. Lyles implores news media publishers to think of social media not only as a driver of traffic, but as a critical component of a long-term audience strategy.

Inside newsrooms, artificial intelligence (AI) is sparking some of the most important conversations the industry has had in years. AI is now at the heart of Guild negotiations. Bullish news media executives are increasingly eager for AI adoption and the promise of productivity gains. And in the newsroom, journalists are figuring out where AI helps and where it falls short. E&P’s Diane Sylvester looks at the internal AI debates within news organizations that are working through real questions about trust, ethics and transparency.

America turns 250. The major motion picture “Network” turns 50. In this month’s “Democracy Desk,” E&P Columnist Stuart N. Brotman connects the dots between the two anniversaries and explains what the First Amendment actually protects — and what it was never designed to do.

Behind every Pulitzer-winning story is a story of its own. E&P’s Diane Sylvester takes a closer look at three award-winning projects awarded top Pulitzer Prizes this year, in the categories of Explanatory Journalism, Feature Photography and Local Reporting. Go behind the scenes as the recipients recount their newsgathering and storytelling processes, the challenges they faced along the way, and why collaboration and trust-building were essential.

Veteran Boston Globe reporter Emily Sweeney is known by her newsroom colleagues for being “good in the streets.” Sweeney’s approachable nature and sincerity served her well over decades reporting on crime. These same attributes — combined with her storytelling talent and affinity for video — have made her a viral news star, recognized far beyond Boston’s city limits. E&P’s Editor-in-Chief Gretchen Peck spoke with Sweeney about her still-evolving career in news media.

As the United States marks its 250th birthday, newsrooms across the country are doing what they do best — telling America’s story. From a Virginia weekly steeped in Revolutionary War history to a Wyoming paper bringing a Vietnam memorial to its community, publishers and editors are channeling the milestone into special editions and community events. Their efforts reflect something larger than celebration: a conviction that a free press and an informed citizenry are inseparable from the American experiment itself.

In an era dominated by social media feeds, search engines and growing interest in artificial intelligence, many news publishers may be surprised by where Americans still turn first when major news breaks. According to new research from the Pew Research Center, the largest share of consumers continue to rely on a trusted news organization when they want immediate answers. The findings offer a reminder that credibility remains one of journalism’s most valuable assets.

A growing divide in how Americans consume news is creating profound challenges for journalism and democracy alike. In this month’s Democracy Desk, E&P columnist and media policy expert Stuart N. Brotman examines new research showing younger audiences increasingly turn to social media, creators and AI-powered tools for news, while older generations remain rooted in traditional media habits. The shift raises urgent questions about trust, civic engagement and whether the next generation’s news consumption patterns can sustain an informed democracy.

In the Catskill Mountains, where art, music and storytelling have long shaped the identity of small communities tucked among the peaks, something essential had gone missing: local journalism. As newspapers disappeared and coverage faded, residents were left without a consistent source to document their lives, hold institutions accountable and capture the spirit of the region. Jacqueline Kallachan believed the Catskills deserved better. What began as a conversation about filling that void grew into The Overlook, a nonprofit newsroom built to restore community connection one story at a time.

Today’s news audiences often encounter journalism long before they ever visit a publisher’s website, discovering stories through social media feeds, short clips and mobile platforms. In this E&P Shoptalk, Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham argues that video has evolved from a distribution tactic into an essential component of modern journalism, helping publishers reach audiences where they are while guiding them toward deeper reporting and understanding.

Local news organizations know they need to evolve. The challenge is often figuring out how. As publishers wrestle with audience growth, revenue diversification and long-term sustainability, a growing number are turning to the Lenfest Expert Network, a program that pairs local newsrooms with seasoned media consultants at no cost.

Can a newspaper survive — and even thrive — without a paywall? In this month’s digital media column, E&P columnist Rob Tornoe examines the bold decision by The Salt Lake Tribune to make all of its journalism free after more than 150 years as a subscription-based publication. The move offers a fascinating case study in nonprofit sustainability, audience growth and whether membership, philanthropy and community support can replace traditional digital subscription revenue.

What separates effective leaders from managers who become bottlenecks for their organizations? In this month’s The Corner Office, E&P contributor and veteran business leadership consultant Doug Phares argues that leadership is fundamentally about solving the right challenges while empowering others to handle the rest. He explores how organizations thrive when leaders coach employees to think independently, build problem-solving skills and take ownership rather than relying on management to provide every answer.

What happens when a major metropolitan newspaper joins forces with a Facebook group? In Houston, the answer is a partnership designed to reach audiences where they already gather online. The Houston Chronicle’s collaboration with Black Houston is creating new opportunities for community dialogue while offering a potential roadmap for audience engagement in the digital age.