Local News Matters Podcast

🚀 Episode 44 of Local News Matters Podcast with Nic Dawes of THE CITY (newsroom) is out. The executive director of THE CITY talks with host @timreganporter about the vital role the outlet plays in New York’s shrinking local news ecosystem. He explains how his organization fills coverage gaps left by retrenching legacy media, focusing on investigative reporting and service journalism to meet the needs of New Yorkers across all boroughs. Dawes also delves into THE CITY’s unique strategies for community engagement, including open newsrooms and dynamic beat assignments, allowing them to stay responsive to the city's most pressing issues. He highlights how their mission-driven approach prioritizes impact over viral traffic, balancing coverage for both affluent media-savvy readers and underserved communities. On the business side, Dawes shares insights on nonprofit journalism’s financial sustainability, from leveraging philanthropy and membership to navigating New York’s competitive fundraising environment. He reflects on his transition from large global organizations to a leaner, more focused newsroom, where the immediacy of local impact offers both challenges and rewards. (Link in comments) #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism #nonprofitnews #democracy

🚀 Episode 43 of Local News Matters Podcast with Allison Taylor Levine, MPA of the Local Journalism Initiative Delaware is out. The founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization, home of Spotlight Delaware talks with host Tim Regan-Porter about building a nonprofit collaborative newsroom and the importance of local news to democracy. She discusses the challenges of launching the initiative in Delaware, from creating internship programs to fostering collaboration among local newsrooms. Levine highlights how Spotlight Delaware, LJI’s flagship project, focuses on policy coverage and public engagement to fill critical gaps in the local news ecosystem. Levine also explores the role of community foundations in supporting journalism, explaining how these institutions can serve as partners, not just funders. She offers practical advice for newsrooms looking to collaborate with community foundations, outlining the importance of understanding their unique funding models and leveraging their strengths as conveners. In addition to discussing the financial sustainability of nonprofit journalism, Levine dives into innovative revenue models like mission-aligned sponsored content. With her background in journalism, marketing, and philanthropy, she explains how storytelling and community engagement are central to the success of local news organizations. (Link in comments) #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism #nonprofitnews #democracy

🚀 Episode 42 of Local News Matters Podcast with Crystal Good of Black By God THE WEST VIRGINIAN is out. The founder and publisher of Black by God talks with host Tim Regan-Porter egan-Porter about her journey from poet and advocate to media entrepreneur, building a publication that centers on Black voices and stories in Central Appalachia. She shares her approach to rural journalism, blending reported news, features and community writing to serve a population often overlooked by traditional media. Crystal also delves into the challenges and opportunities of creating a sustainable revenue model for a local news outlet. As she talks through her vision, Crystal emphasizes the importance of preserving authentic voices, building trust with readers and fostering community participation. Her unique “folk reporters” program empowers citizen journalists to cover civic issues and public meetings. Crystal also shares her plans to leverage technology to amplify Black stories in the region and highlights the need for Black joy in media coverage. The conversation covers the broader landscape of rural BIPOC communities, West Virginia’s interaction with national politics, and how a background in poetry influences Crystal’s storytelling approach. With a mission to build community, inspire action and reflect the diverse reality of Appalachia, Crystal is redefining what local news can be. (Link in comments) #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism

🚀 Episode 41 of Local News Matters Podcast with Lisa Snowden-McCray of Baltimore Beat is out. The co-founder and editor-in-chief of Baltimore Beat, talks with host Tim Regan-Porter about her journey from being a reporter to running a Black-led newsroom dedicated to covering Baltimore’s diverse communities. She discusses the challenges and opportunities of sustaining a nonprofit news outlet, even one supported by a seven-figure donation that helped stabilize the Beat after its initial struggles as a for-profit venture. Lisa emphasizes the importance of intentional, community-centered journalism that aims to elevate underrepresented voices and provide a nuanced perspective on Baltimore’s complex social issues. She also delves into the dynamics of diversity within newsrooms, the need to foster an inclusive environment, and the unique challenges Black-led media face in navigating networks of power. Lisa highlights the Baltimore Beat’s approach to journalism as a means of empowering residents through trustworthy storytelling and tangible community engagement, such as the Beat Box initiative distributing both newspapers and essential goods. With reflections on the current state of local news, Lisa offers insights into maintaining sustainable and impactful reporting amidst an ever-changing media landscape, particularly for underserved audiences. (Link in comments) #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism #nonprofitnews

🚀 Episode 40 of Local News Matters Podcast with Karen Rundlet of the Institute for Nonprofit News is out. Karen talks with host Tim Regan-Porter about the increasing importance of philanthropy in sustaining local journalism. She shares insights from her time at Knight Foundation, where she helped launch initiatives like NewsMatch and Press Forward, and explores how nonprofit newsrooms can diversify revenue streams to build sustainable operations. Rundlet emphasizes that supporting an informed public, not just journalism, is critical in today’s landscape. She also highlights the role of local news in fostering community connection, touching on how INN members are covering vital issues like municipal government, education and culture. Rundlet discusses the importance of engaging local funders and ensuring that newsrooms help solve community problems by being transparent, impactful and connected. Rundlet reflects on the future of local news, from addressing news avoidance to ensuring transparency in funding. She explores how organizations can focus on accountability, co-design content with their communities and maintain mental health and sustainability for both leaders and journalists. (Link in comments) #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism #nonprofitnews

🚀 Episode 40 of Local News Matters Podcast with Karen Rundlet of the Institute for Nonprofit News is out. Karen talks with host Tim Regan-Porter about the increasing importance of philanthropy in sustaining local journalism. She shares insights from her time at Knight Foundation, where she helped launch initiatives like NewsMatch and Press Forward, and explores how nonprofit newsrooms can diversify revenue streams to build sustainable operations. Rundlet emphasizes that supporting an informed public, not just journalism, is critical in today’s landscape. She also highlights the role of local news in fostering community connection, touching on how INN members are covering vital issues like municipal government, education and culture. Rundlet discusses the importance of engaging local funders and ensuring that newsrooms help solve community problems by being transparent, impactful and connected. Rundlet reflects on the future of local news, from addressing news avoidance to ensuring transparency in funding. She explores how organizations can focus on accountability, co-design content with their communities and maintain mental health and sustainability for both leaders and journalists. (Link in comments) #localnewsmatters #businessofnews #journalism #nonprofitnews

I’m back in Atlanta for a couple days for #ona24. If you’re here, let me know. I’d love to connect IRL, whether to explore partnerships with Colorado Press Association and/or Local News Matters Podcast or just to catch up.

#MindshiftMonday: In Episode 36 of Local News Matters Podcast, Jay Rosen challenges traditional election reporting. Could engaging communities on their real concerns lead to stronger democracy? 🗳️ 🌍 “... any kind of campaign coverage that grounds election journalism in an observable world is better. When people are talking about and arguing about something concrete in their environment, like, ‘Jeez, that bridge collapsed, and we need to fix that.’ Or ‘How can we have better schools?’ Or, ‘Our kids are afraid of being shot. What are we gonna do about that?’ Or, ‘How do we know how to persuade our young people to stay in town as opposed to leave or elsewhere? How do we restore local businesses?’ I think questions like that are grounding in a very important way, and they're they allow people to kind of get their bearings in a real world. And I think that's what election coverage should be." #ElectionCoverage #localnewsmatters https://lnkd.in/gwPpSwva

#SelfCareSunday Tips from Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (Local News Matters Podcast Episode 37): "...we gotta make space for people to take care of themselves as humans. A real simple thing is—you know, I go to therapy.... We encourage people to schedule their therapy appointments during the day.... We have an unlimited paid time off policy.... We've done a lot of different things with our staff. We've done trauma-informed psychoeducation courses.... And just ... making space for conversations that need to happen." https://lnkd.in/eQKmPZfp

📚 Media recommendations from Candice Fortman (Local News Matters Podcast Episode 38): * She Has A Name podcast by Tonya Mosley * The Nonprofit Hospital That Makes Millions, Owns a Collection Agency and Relentlessly Sues the Poor” by Wendi C. Thomas (MLK50/ProPublica) * Renaissance by Beyoncé * Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler * Amazing Grace by Aretha Franklin #FridayReads #WeekendReading https://lnkd.in/gxskYh4R