Local news stayed. National media left.

If we are to thrive and genuinely rebuild local news, philanthropic organizations need to help identify where they can provide support to community newsrooms during crises, as similar events are likely to happen again. We could create a special journalism team to respond quickly or establish a network of explainers.”

Louis Amestoy, editor and publisher, The Kerr County Lead

As Kerr County works to recover from the deadly flood on July 4, 2025, which claimed the lives of 107 people, including 37 children, the underlying narrative will involve a long-term effort to rebuild the community and its economy. In this endeavor, local media will play an integral role in sharing that story.

Throughout my 35-year career, I have covered numerous major disasters, ranging from earthquakes to fires, but nothing quite like the devastation that struck this part of the Texas Hill Country. What has genuinely impressed me is the tremendous outpouring of support from around the world to help this community recover. Within two weeks, millions of dollars in donations and aid poured into Kerr County, with the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country raising more than $30 million in just the first week.

Support organizations have stepped in to assist our tourism industry, mental health professionals have been made available, and restaurants have received help from volunteers across the nation, including World Central Kitchen. National foundations have also invested significant resources in the area. The support has been remarkable.

However, there is a troubling aspect to this story. The one industry that offered the least help was journalism and its philanthropic benefactors. The only organization that reached out was the Independent Nonprofit News organization, which provided an immediate $10,000 to support the small independent newsrooms covering this story. My website and email infrastructure provider didn’t even bother to reach out.

With a small team of volunteers, Kerr County Lead’s publisher, Louis Amestoy, spent July 4th assessing the damage, talking to public officials and residents, and livestreaming the news. (Photo credit: Jennifer Dean/Kerr County Lead)

As the story unfolded, a report surfaced highlighting the gaps in local news coverage and the lack of journalists in many parts of the country. This lack of support during a time of crisis is concerning. While I recognize the competitive aspects of journalism, the race for a “scoop” is counterproductive in a situation of this magnitude.

Many colleagues, several of whom have since left the industry, reached out to check on my well-being, and for that, I am grateful. When we made mistakes on a story and issued a retraction, Poynter was there to probe our mistake. Fortunately, the Columbia Journalism Review acknowledged our efforts, and I hoped that might encourage philanthropic groups to get involved.

After attempting to reach out to others in the industry for assistance in covering this story, including The Texas Tribune, it became clear we were on our own. Eventually, I contacted a good friend who is a top editor at a chain owned by an “evil hedge fund,” and he connected me with individuals who could help.

The news landscape in Kerr County is relatively robust, with my publication, The Kerr County Lead, The Hill Country Community Journal, alongside the West Kerr Current and the Kerrville Daily Times, all providing coverage. Three of the four publications are primarily run by one or two individuals each.

Now that more than two weeks have passed, the national media largely departed, but we remain committed to the long haul. After witnessing the support offered to other communities during this difficult time, I find myself embarrassed by my industry for not recognizing that local journalists carry the weight of truth and information in times of crisis. We must do better.

If we are to thrive and genuinely rebuild local news, philanthropic organizations need to help identify where they can provide support to community newsrooms during crises, as similar events are likely to happen again. We could create a special journalism team to respond quickly or establish a network of explainers. It’s not solely about financial assistance; it's also about the quality of work, as that’s the feedback we’ve received — numerous thank-yous for reliable information.

We must improve. I challenge this industry to transcend petty competition and commit to a model that prioritizes doing good and adheres to the core values that led us to become journalists.

Louis Amestoy is the editor and publisher of The Kerr County Lead, which he founded in 2021.