Hawai‘i has an average of 6.1 journalists per 100K residents, one of the lowest rates in the country. On Feb. 12, @mattdpearce.com testified in support of HB1458, which proposes a tax on social media ad revenue to help rebuild local news. The full testimony: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/rebuild-loca...

A new study finds Americans know more about national and global events than what’s happening on their own block. The Civic Information Needs Census, operated by the Civic News Company and Embold Research, calls it the "Proximity Paradox." Learn more: infocensus.org

Rebuild Local News President @stevenwaldman.bsky.social testified before the Senate today, urging Congress to adopt policies that rebuild local reporting capacity and ensure AI and Big Tech compensate small and independent outlets. Watch his testimony: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/rebuild-loca...

Local news organizations across the U.S. are in dire need of this kind of structural support to supplement the ad-hoc fumes of one-off grants. www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/for-...

Welcome to our new People & Operations Manager! Peter's background spans operations, finance, compliance and service in the U.S. Congress, experience that will help us support our distributed team and build systems grounded in our mission and values. www.rebuildlocalnews.org/team/peter-r...

Local reporting doesn’t happen without local reporters. Our policy director @mattdpearce.com testified in support of SB5400, a bill that would support journalist jobs in Washington newsrooms through employment grants. Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/rebuild-loca...

As Jeff Amazon divests in journalism, Illinois shows a new way to fund local news by and for local communities.

Amid all the bad journalism industry news, sharing this cool thing I’m doing with smart people at my job:

Illinois made history with the nation’s first employment tax credit for local news, awarding $4M and supporting over 260 journalist jobs in 2025. Our new report takes a closer look at what worked and how the policy could be strengthened. Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/supporting-l...

Imagine if every county in Washington state had a local reporter. In a new partnership, WSU’s @murrowcollege.bsky.social and @reportforamerica.bsky.social are aiming to make that a reality, with a plan to place 39 reporters statewide by 2029. Learn more: www.reportforamerica.org/2026/02/04/w...

Last month, our Policy Manager @lorihenson.bsky.social testified in support of New Hampshire's HB1420, a bill giving small businesses an 80 percent tax credit on local news ads. A win for businesses, local news and the communities they serve. Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/rebuild-loca...

Last month, our Policy Manager @lorihenson.bsky.social testified in support of New Hampshire's HB1420, a bill giving small businesses an 80 percent tax credit on local news ads. A win for businesses, local news and the communities they serve. Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/rebuild-loca...

Applications are live! 📢 Illinois newsrooms can now apply for refundable employment tax credits for retaining journalists ($15k each) and for new hires ($10k each). Credits are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply Now: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/application-...

Applications are live! 📢 Illinois newsrooms can now apply for refundable employment tax credits for retaining journalists ($15k each) and for new hires ($10k each). Credits are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply Now: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/application-...

We’re honored to welcome the @lwvwashington.bsky.social to the Rebuild Local News Coalition! The LWVWA is a nonpartisan nonprofit that defends democracy, empowers voters and believes government should support the conditions for local journalism to thrive.

We’re honored to welcome the @lwvwashington.bsky.social to the Rebuild Local News Coalition! The LWVWA is a nonpartisan nonprofit that defends democracy, empowers voters and believes government should support the conditions for local journalism to thrive.

In an op-ed published today in @nytimes.com, our CEO @sarabethb.bsky.social writes about the rise of trusted, independent local newsrooms across the country and the growing coalitions sustaining them. Read more:

We’re excited to share that ONA is a founding partner of the inaugural Local News Day on April 9, 2026. This is nationwide push to support trusted local journalism. Join us to support local news: www.journalists.org/news/ona-pro...

Starting on Sunday (Feb. 1), Illinois newsrooms can apply for refundable tax credits for retaining and hiring journalists ($15k per retained, $10k per new hire). Our step-by-step guide and example applications will help your newsroom apply confidently: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/application-...

Are you subscribed to The Press Advocate? 🔍 Our free monthly newsletter delivers updates on local news legislation, industry developments, and research on the local news ecosystem and its impact on communities. First edition of the year drops this Friday, Jan. 30. Subscribe here: eepurl.com/g_kGnP

Big news at Rebuild Local News! 🎉 @deanfiihr.bsky.social is joining our team as Deputy Director of Campaigns and Partnerships, with experience advising state lawmakers and shaping legislative strategy in the Iowa Legislature. Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/team/dean-fi...

AI data centers can bring benefits, but they also create real costs. Communities should require developers to fund independent local journalism to ensure compliance and accountability. via @techpolicypress.bsky.social: www.techpolicy.press/ai-data-cent...

“Our estimate is that newsrooms will get about $74 million in 2026 from state governments as a result of public policy,” said @stevenwaldman.bsky.social, president of Rebuild Local News.

Even amid public media cuts and political setbacks, state-level support for local news is growing. New tax credits and funding programs show momentum is shifting closer to home. From @dankennedy.net via @poynterinstitute.bsky.social: www.poynter.org/business-wor...

Illinois newsrooms: Wonder if you’re eligible for tax credits for retaining and hiring journalists? Use our Eligibility Checklist and Tax Credit Calculator to find out and estimate funding. Applications open Feb. 1: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/application-...

Student journalism is filling local news gaps. A new map tracks 1,100+ college newspapers across the U.S., and 766 are in or near news deserts. Student media is more than just training for future reporters. It’s essential community coverage. Learn more: www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/how-...

Don’t miss this: Illinois’ Local Journalism Sustainability Tax Incentive Program opens Feb. 1. It offers refundable tax credits to help newsrooms retain, hire journalists. Funds are limited and first-come, first-served, so preparing now matters. Start Here: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/faq-illinois...

Welcome @cliffordmichel.bsky.social and Caroline Ross to Rebuild Local News! Clifford joins as Development Manager with experience in nonprofit fundraising. Caroline joins as Senior Advisor, having led transitions of local papers into nonprofit ownership at the National Trust for Local News.

As AI and creators reshape the media landscape, publishers are worried journalism could get lost in the noise. News leaders plan to double down on what machines can’t replace: original reporting, context and stories rooted in community. Learn more: reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/journalism-m...

New York’s landmark media jobs program left out nonprofit newsrooms, including public radio and nonprofit local sites. That mistake puts critical community coverage at risk... but it can be fixed. Rebuild Local News Founder @stevenwaldman.bsky.social explains how: www.amny.com/opinion/new-...

In 2026, state legislators are exploring policy and funding approaches to support local news, from government ad set-asides and tax credits to fellowship programs, even as many states face budget deficits. Our latest forecast outlines what we know so far: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/forecast-for...

We’re closing out 2025 proud of the progress made with partners nationwide to rebuild local news. Heading into the new year, we remain committed as ever to advancing smart, effective policies that strengthen local newsrooms and the communities they serve. Happy holidays! 🎉

Federal challenges persisted in 2025, but states kept pushing forward. From tax credits to grants and advertising policies, lawmakers advanced real solutions designed to help local newsrooms continue serving their communities. Read Our Recap: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/a-year-in-re...

Illinois newsrooms: mark your calendars! 📣 Applications for the Local Journalism Sustainability Tax Incentive Program open February 1, 2026, offering financial support to help hire and retain journalists. Resources coming in early January. Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/illinois-new...

51 ethnic and community media outlets in 14 languages are calling on NYC’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani to restore city advertising that collapsed under the previous administration. They warn these lifelines are key for keeping communities informed. Learn more: www.journalism.cuny.edu/2025/12/ccm-...

What could local news look like in 2035? 🗞️ Local News 2035 from Press Forward shares scenarios informed by 90+ news leaders, which aren't predictions for the future but ideas to spark conversation and imagine what’s possible. Learn more: www.pressforward.news/local-news-2...

The Public Media Bridge Fund has awarded $26M to support more than 70 grantees operating 180+ at-risk public radio and TV stations nationwide. This critical funding will help keep local news and cultural programming alive in communities that rely on it. publicmedia.co/bridge-fund-awards-26-million/

Philanthropy isn’t enough. Private equity made things worse. @niemanlab.org highlights our founder @stevenwaldman.bsky.social’s big 2026 prediction: creative lending could strengthen local newsrooms instead of straining them. Learn More: www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/well...

The @columjournreview.bsky.social released its Journalism 2050 Issue, offering a forecast for the future by examining the forces reshaping how news is created, delivered, and trusted. Learn More: www.cjr.org/the-journali...

Local news networks are on the rise. According to @localnewsini.bsky.social, nonprofit and for-profit networks now run 853 sites across 52 networks providing original reporting to communities that need it. Read more: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2025/1...

The latest from @columjournreview.bsky.social on how university programs are filling gaps in local news coverage across the country. Learn more: www.cjr.org/news/how-stu...

We are thrilled to join the @rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social Coalition alongside Press Forward, deepening a commitment to ensuring communities have access to reliable, high-quality local journalism. For ONA, this builds on our history of supporting local newsrooms. journalists.org/2025/11/26/s...

Press Forward and the @journalists.org are joining the Rebuild Local News Coalition, bringing their expertise at a critical time for local news. Also joining: Nutfield Publishing, serving New Hampshire communities for over 20 years. Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/press-forwar...

Help us end the week on a high note! Your gift allows us to advance legislation that strengthens local news, write more model laws, and guide how laws are implemented once they're passed. Become a friend of RLN by making a donation: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/donate/

2026 will be our most ambitious year yet, expanding policy work across more states. Research like the Local Journalist Index study guides our efforts, but we need your help to continue this work. Support our efforts with a one-time or monthly gift: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/donate/

We are proud to have supporters across the country and hope you’ll join them by making a gift and sharing what local news means to you. Donate Today: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/donate/

Here are the facts: 📉 More than 75% decrease in local journalists since 2002 ⚖️ Less news = more government corruption, especially at the local level 🗳️ Less informed citizens are less civically engaged Help us bring forth policy ideas that will revitalize local news: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/donate/

"For nearly 40 years, an invite-only network of publishers has shared numbers, strategies and hope for the future of local journalism." Read more at @poynterinstitute.bsky.social: www.poynter.org/business-wor...

California has lost 40% of its newspapers since 2005 and ranks among the 10 worst states for local journalists per capita. With federal cuts to public media, @mattdpearce.com testified on why state action is vital to keep communities informed. Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/rebuild-loca...

“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-...