Rebuild Local News
@rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social
A nonpartisan, nonprofit coalition developing and advancing public policies designed to strengthen community news and information.
Learn more at www.rebuildlocalnews.org.
Learn more at www.rebuildlocalnews.org.
“AI-written stories are quietly becoming a staple of local news. The implications go far beyond convenience.”
via @fastcompany.com: www.fastcompany.com/91433534/ai-...
via @fastcompany.com: www.fastcompany.com/91433534/ai-...
Inside the quiet takeover of local journalism by AI
AI-written stories are quietly becoming a staple of local news.
www.fastcompany.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM
“AI-written stories are quietly becoming a staple of local news. The implications go far beyond convenience.”
via @fastcompany.com: www.fastcompany.com/91433534/ai-...
via @fastcompany.com: www.fastcompany.com/91433534/ai-...
A new @reutersinstitute.bsky.social report surveying 24 countries finds people in the US, Mexico, Thailand, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Kenya are tuning into news creators over mainstream media, highlighting a shift in how audiences follow the news.
Learn more: www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/news...
Learn more: www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/news...
News creators get more attention in countries where traditional media struggles
A new report highlights how “messy, fragmented, and loosely defined news sources have become for many people.”
www.niemanlab.org
November 4, 2025 at 9:54 PM
A new @reutersinstitute.bsky.social report surveying 24 countries finds people in the US, Mexico, Thailand, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Kenya are tuning into news creators over mainstream media, highlighting a shift in how audiences follow the news.
Learn more: www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/news...
Learn more: www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/news...
The closer the source, the stronger the trust. 70 percent of Americans say they trust local news compared to just 56 percent for national news.
via @pewresearch.org
Learn more: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
via @pewresearch.org
Learn more: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
How Americans’ trust in information from news organizations and social media sites has changed over time
Overall, 56% of U.S. adults now say they have a lot of or some trust in the information they get from national news organizations – down 11 percentage points since March 2025.
www.pewresearch.org
November 3, 2025 at 11:21 PM
The closer the source, the stronger the trust. 70 percent of Americans say they trust local news compared to just 56 percent for national news.
via @pewresearch.org
Learn more: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
via @pewresearch.org
Learn more: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
When @stevenwaldman.bsky.social asked ChatGPT about the impact of the local news crisis, it confessed: AI can’t give trustworthy local info without journalists. The solution? AI companies should invest in community news itself.
Via @techpolicypress.bsky.social: www.techpolicy.press/how-to-solve...
Via @techpolicypress.bsky.social: www.techpolicy.press/how-to-solve...
How to Solve AI’s Community News Problem | TechPolicy.Press
It serves the interest of AI companies and the mission of the OpenAI nonprofit to invest in reviving local news, says Rebuild Local News' Steven Waldman.
www.techpolicy.press
October 23, 2025 at 4:13 PM
When @stevenwaldman.bsky.social asked ChatGPT about the impact of the local news crisis, it confessed: AI can’t give trustworthy local info without journalists. The solution? AI companies should invest in community news itself.
Via @techpolicypress.bsky.social: www.techpolicy.press/how-to-solve...
Via @techpolicypress.bsky.social: www.techpolicy.press/how-to-solve...
The State of Local News 2025 from @localnewsini.bsky.social finds that promising developments are being swamped by deeper negative trends. We’re losing the race against time for local news.
Read an analysis by @stevenwaldman.bsky.social: www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/were...
Read an analysis by @stevenwaldman.bsky.social: www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/were...
We’re losing the race against time - Editor and Publisher
The core news out of Medill’s extraordinary State of Local News 2025 report is: there are positive developments in local news but they’re being swamped by the negative trends. We’re losing the race a...
www.editorandpublisher.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:39 PM
The State of Local News 2025 from @localnewsini.bsky.social finds that promising developments are being swamped by deeper negative trends. We’re losing the race against time for local news.
Read an analysis by @stevenwaldman.bsky.social: www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/were...
Read an analysis by @stevenwaldman.bsky.social: www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/were...
A new documentary series, Reimagining Local News, from Press Forward and the MacArthur Foundation with host @CharlesMBlow.bsky.social, looks beyond the headlines of decline to reveal something powerful: communities creating a new future for local news.
Watch Now: reimagininglocalnews.com
Watch Now: reimagininglocalnews.com
Reimagining Local News | by Press Forward & MacArthur Foundation
Across the country, a transformation is underway. While headlines dwell on the decline of local news, newsrooms are rewriting the story by reimagining how local news can serve, inform, and connect our...
reimagininglocalnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:24 PM
A new documentary series, Reimagining Local News, from Press Forward and the MacArthur Foundation with host @CharlesMBlow.bsky.social, looks beyond the headlines of decline to reveal something powerful: communities creating a new future for local news.
Watch Now: reimagininglocalnews.com
Watch Now: reimagininglocalnews.com
The State of Local News 2025 report by @localnewsini.bsky.social is out, drawing on two decades of data -- and the findings are stark. News deserts hit a record high, leaving 50M Americans with limited or no access to local coverage.
Learn more: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/projects/sta...
Learn more: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/projects/sta...
October 20, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The State of Local News 2025 report by @localnewsini.bsky.social is out, drawing on two decades of data -- and the findings are stark. News deserts hit a record high, leaving 50M Americans with limited or no access to local coverage.
Learn more: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/projects/sta...
Learn more: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/projects/sta...
New Mexico is stepping up for its communities' access to trusted local news and information: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham approved $5.6M in emergency funding for the state’s 12 public media organizations, plus $430K for Indigenous stations.
Read more: current.org/2025/10/new-...
Read more: current.org/2025/10/new-...
New Mexico governor approves emergency funds for public media
The state will provide $6 million in additional funding to New Mexico stations to make up for the loss of federal funding.
current.org
October 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
New Mexico is stepping up for its communities' access to trusted local news and information: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham approved $5.6M in emergency funding for the state’s 12 public media organizations, plus $430K for Indigenous stations.
Read more: current.org/2025/10/new-...
Read more: current.org/2025/10/new-...
US Postal Service delays are leaving weekly newspapers up to nine weeks late. Subscribers miss critical news, and small papers face serious financial strain.
via @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/analysis/pos...
via @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/analysis/pos...
Postal Service delays are making the already tight newspaper business even harder.
Subscribers report delays of as long as two months.
www.cjr.org
October 16, 2025 at 8:58 PM
US Postal Service delays are leaving weekly newspapers up to nine weeks late. Subscribers miss critical news, and small papers face serious financial strain.
via @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/analysis/pos...
via @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/analysis/pos...
Tulsa’s local news ecosystem recently lost 7 reporters, but it’s more than jobs. Local news is a bridge, turning neighbors into a community. Without those who produce local news, community identity fades.
But, we can still turn this around.
Learn more: thepickup.com/tulsa-doesnt...
But, we can still turn this around.
Learn more: thepickup.com/tulsa-doesnt...
Tulsa Doesn’t Exist Without Local News - The Pickup
Local news is essential for communities, but it’s declining nearly everywhere. We can all be part of turning that around.
thepickup.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Tulsa’s local news ecosystem recently lost 7 reporters, but it’s more than jobs. Local news is a bridge, turning neighbors into a community. Without those who produce local news, community identity fades.
But, we can still turn this around.
Learn more: thepickup.com/tulsa-doesnt...
But, we can still turn this around.
Learn more: thepickup.com/tulsa-doesnt...
Two years ago, Press Forward set a $500M goal to strengthen local news. With $400M now invested, funders across the nation are showing they understand what communities stand to lose without reliable, trustworthy sources of local news.
More here: www.pressforward.news/two-years-in...
More here: www.pressforward.news/two-years-in...
Two years in: $400M mobilized for local news | Press Forward
When Press Forward launched two years ago, we had an ambitious five-year goal: to mobilize $500 million to strengthen local news. Today, we're proud to share our network of funders has invested more t...
www.pressforward.news
October 14, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Two years ago, Press Forward set a $500M goal to strengthen local news. With $400M now invested, funders across the nation are showing they understand what communities stand to lose without reliable, trustworthy sources of local news.
More here: www.pressforward.news/two-years-in...
More here: www.pressforward.news/two-years-in...
Weekend Read: A look at how local TV reporters across the country are breaking major stories and holding powerful figures accountable, reminding us why local news matters.
Read more at @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/laurels-and-...
Read more at @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/laurels-and-...
Laurels and Darts: Local TV news does good.
Forget about the mergers and buyouts and executive leadership for a while. The local grunts keep breaking news.
www.cjr.org
October 10, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Weekend Read: A look at how local TV reporters across the country are breaking major stories and holding powerful figures accountable, reminding us why local news matters.
Read more at @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/laurels-and-...
Read more at @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/laurels-and-...
Publishers across Canada are urging the federal government to dedicate at least 25% of its ad budget to Canadian news outlets to help sustain local news nationwide.
Learn more: www.communitywire.ca/2025/10/08/p...
Learn more: www.communitywire.ca/2025/10/08/p...
Publishers Call on Government of Canada to Adopt Buy Canadian Advertising Policy
Call for a minimum 25 per cent set aside of the federal ad […]
www.communitywire.ca
October 9, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Publishers across Canada are urging the federal government to dedicate at least 25% of its ad budget to Canadian news outlets to help sustain local news nationwide.
Learn more: www.communitywire.ca/2025/10/08/p...
Learn more: www.communitywire.ca/2025/10/08/p...
Can revitalizing community news help heal divisions in Utah? Our founder Steven Waldman thinks Gov. Spencer Cox can lead the way, proposing a “mitigation fee” on Big Tech to fund both teen mental health and local news in the state.
Read more: www.sltrib.com/opinion/comm...
Read more: www.sltrib.com/opinion/comm...
Voices: Can local news heal?
"Studies have shown that the vacuum created by the local news contraction is filled by national news and social media, which are both more polarizing," writes Rebuild Local News President Steve Waldma...
www.sltrib.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Can revitalizing community news help heal divisions in Utah? Our founder Steven Waldman thinks Gov. Spencer Cox can lead the way, proposing a “mitigation fee” on Big Tech to fund both teen mental health and local news in the state.
Read more: www.sltrib.com/opinion/comm...
Read more: www.sltrib.com/opinion/comm...
Are you a skilled communicator and organizer ready to revitalize local news in Pennsylvania? We’re hiring a State Campaign Manager to help advance nonpartisan policies to strengthen community news and information.
Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/careers/care...
Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/careers/care...
Careers: State Campaign Manager (Remote)
We are seeking an individual who is an excellent communicator with exceptional project management and planning skills to join our team as a State Campaign Manager. This individual will work diligently...
www.rebuildlocalnews.org
October 3, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Are you a skilled communicator and organizer ready to revitalize local news in Pennsylvania? We’re hiring a State Campaign Manager to help advance nonpartisan policies to strengthen community news and information.
Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/careers/care...
Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/careers/care...
The Ann Arbor District Library is stepping up to preserve local news. It announced plans to acquire the Ann Arbor Observer, a publication serving residents since 1976, to ensure continued public access to vital community information.
Learn more: aadl.org/node/647334
Learn more: aadl.org/node/647334
October 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
The Ann Arbor District Library is stepping up to preserve local news. It announced plans to acquire the Ann Arbor Observer, a publication serving residents since 1976, to ensure continued public access to vital community information.
Learn more: aadl.org/node/647334
Learn more: aadl.org/node/647334
We're thrilled to introduce Matthew Baker as our first director of research! He previously served as a senior advisor at the U.S. Agency for International Development, managing research projects to strengthen independent media worldwide.
Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/team/matthew...
Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/team/matthew...
September 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
We're thrilled to introduce Matthew Baker as our first director of research! He previously served as a senior advisor at the U.S. Agency for International Development, managing research projects to strengthen independent media worldwide.
Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/team/matthew...
Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/team/matthew...
Where do Americans go for news online? Half of U.S. adults (53%) say they get news from social media at least sometimes. Most check Facebook (38%) and YouTube (35%), while Instagram (20%), TikTok (20%) and X/Twitter (12%) come next.
via @pewresearch.org: www.pewresearch.org/journalism/f...
via @pewresearch.org: www.pewresearch.org/journalism/f...
Social Media and News Fact Sheet
Many Americans use social media for news: About a fifth or more regularly get news on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
www.pewresearch.org
September 26, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Where do Americans go for news online? Half of U.S. adults (53%) say they get news from social media at least sometimes. Most check Facebook (38%) and YouTube (35%), while Instagram (20%), TikTok (20%) and X/Twitter (12%) come next.
via @pewresearch.org: www.pewresearch.org/journalism/f...
via @pewresearch.org: www.pewresearch.org/journalism/f...
A Kentucky company bought eight Illinois newspapers, bypassing a new law requiring a 120-day sales notice intended to keep ownership local.
Our Director of Policy @mattdpearce.com poses, “How do you remedy the damage here?”
Learn more: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2025/0...
Our Director of Policy @mattdpearce.com poses, “How do you remedy the damage here?”
Learn more: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2025/0...
Sale of Illinois newspapers puts new state law to the test
SPRINGFIELD – A newspaper publisher in central and southern Illinois has sold eight of its Illinois papers to a Kentucky-based company, testing a new state law designed to keep newspaper ownership loc...
localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu
September 23, 2025 at 9:13 PM
A Kentucky company bought eight Illinois newspapers, bypassing a new law requiring a 120-day sales notice intended to keep ownership local.
Our Director of Policy @mattdpearce.com poses, “How do you remedy the damage here?”
Learn more: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2025/0...
Our Director of Policy @mattdpearce.com poses, “How do you remedy the damage here?”
Learn more: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2025/0...
Nobel laureates Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz and Prof. Daron Acemoğlu issued an urgent plea to recognize and uphold the economic value of public interest media in the age of artificial intelligence.
Learn more: informationdemocracy.org/2025/09/22/p...
Learn more: informationdemocracy.org/2025/09/22/p...
Press Release: A global call from leading economists urge action to protect public interest media for economic prosperity and human progress - Forum Information & Democracy
As world leaders convene for the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly in New York, eleven of the world’s leading economists, including two Nobel laureates, Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz and Prof. Dar...
informationdemocracy.org
September 22, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Nobel laureates Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz and Prof. Daron Acemoğlu issued an urgent plea to recognize and uphold the economic value of public interest media in the age of artificial intelligence.
Learn more: informationdemocracy.org/2025/09/22/p...
Learn more: informationdemocracy.org/2025/09/22/p...
Join us in supporting local news across the country and building stronger communities! Our open positions include People & Operations Manager, Deputy Campaigns Director, and Development Manager.
Apply now: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/careers/
Apply now: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/careers/
Careers - Rebuild Local News
www.rebuildlocalnews.org
September 19, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Join us in supporting local news across the country and building stronger communities! Our open positions include People & Operations Manager, Deputy Campaigns Director, and Development Manager.
Apply now: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/careers/
Apply now: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/careers/
Last week’s must-read: Politically funded “pink slime” outlets are alive and growing, shaping news from national headlines down to local college campuses.
Read more at @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/analysis/pin...
Read more at @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/analysis/pin...
Pink slime journalism never went away.
Politically motivated “journalism” has expanded into news media at every level.
www.cjr.org
September 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Last week’s must-read: Politically funded “pink slime” outlets are alive and growing, shaping news from national headlines down to local college campuses.
Read more at @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/analysis/pin...
Read more at @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/analysis/pin...
"Political conservatives, of whom I am one, should not be averse to philanthropic funding for local public media... Without these outlets, the actions of both Republican and Democratic politicians wouldn’t get the attention and scrutiny the public deserves."
Read more:
www.aei.org/op-eds/a-res...
Read more:
www.aei.org/op-eds/a-res...
www.aei.org
September 12, 2025 at 8:12 PM
"Political conservatives, of whom I am one, should not be averse to philanthropic funding for local public media... Without these outlets, the actions of both Republican and Democratic politicians wouldn’t get the attention and scrutiny the public deserves."
Read more:
www.aei.org/op-eds/a-res...
Read more:
www.aei.org/op-eds/a-res...
CA lawmakers have introduced the California Civic Media Program to support local news, but full discretionary grantmaking authority lies in the executive branch.
Read the analysis from @mattdpearce.com: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/analysis-california-lawmakers-propose-20m-google-grant-partnership/
Read the analysis from @mattdpearce.com: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/analysis-california-lawmakers-propose-20m-google-grant-partnership/
Analysis: California Lawmakers Propose $20M Google Grant Partnership
The legislation would create a California Civic Media Program to support local news, with discretionary grantmaking authority housed in the executive branch.
www.rebuildlocalnews.org
September 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
CA lawmakers have introduced the California Civic Media Program to support local news, but full discretionary grantmaking authority lies in the executive branch.
Read the analysis from @mattdpearce.com: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/analysis-california-lawmakers-propose-20m-google-grant-partnership/
Read the analysis from @mattdpearce.com: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/analysis-california-lawmakers-propose-20m-google-grant-partnership/
We’re hiring a People & Operations Manager! 🗣️
Join Rebuild Local News and help shape the systems, culture, and support that power our team’s mission to revitalize local news.
Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/careers-peop...
Join Rebuild Local News and help shape the systems, culture, and support that power our team’s mission to revitalize local news.
Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/careers-peop...
Careers: People & Operations Manager (Remote)
As our People & Operations Manager, you will play a key role in shaping how we support, engage, and grow our distributed staff across the country, and how we all work together to fulfill our mission.
www.rebuildlocalnews.org
September 8, 2025 at 9:02 PM
We’re hiring a People & Operations Manager! 🗣️
Join Rebuild Local News and help shape the systems, culture, and support that power our team’s mission to revitalize local news.
Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/careers-peop...
Join Rebuild Local News and help shape the systems, culture, and support that power our team’s mission to revitalize local news.
Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/careers-peop...