"Why should the government be involved? Because the crisis in local news has become catastrophic — and there are types of government help that do preserve the press’ editorial independence." Learn more: www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/opin...

Opinion | The government does need to financially help local news - Editor and Publisher

The announcement last week that the McClatchy newspaper chain was laying off 90 local journalists went from sad news to appalling as the details came in. The Lexington Herald-Leader in Kentucky lost t...

editorandpublisher.com

"Why should the government be involved? Because the crisis in local news has become catastrophic — and there are types of government help that do preserve the press’ editorial independence." Learn more: www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/opin...

Opinion | The government does need to financially help local news - Editor and Publisher

The announcement last week that the McClatchy newspaper chain was laying off 90 local journalists went from sad news to appalling as the details came in. The Lexington Herald-Leader in Kentucky lost t...

editorandpublisher.com

California has lost 12K local journalists since 2002. If signed, AB 2222 would create tax credits to help newsrooms hire and keep them, and outlets across the state are uniting in support. @governor.ca.gov is expected to decide in the coming days. 🔗: www.newsmediaalliance.org/journalism-i...

Journalism Industry Unites in Support of First-of-its-Kind California Journalist Tax Credit Bill | News/Media Alliance

News publications all across California will run a full page ad declaring that the journalism industry is unified in support of AB-2222, the Community NEWS ...

newsmediaalliance.org

The fall of once-mighty McClatchy newspapers underscores California's news crisis

The fall of once-mighty McClatchy newspapers underscores California's news crisis

The union that represents McClatchy journalists said that more than 90 unionized journalists and media workers across 17 publications had been laid off.

latimes.com

California has lost 12K local journalists since 2002. If signed, AB 2222 would create tax credits to help newsrooms hire and keep them, and outlets across the state are uniting in support. @governor.ca.gov is expected to decide in the coming days. 🔗: www.newsmediaalliance.org/journalism-i...

Journalism Industry Unites in Support of First-of-its-Kind California Journalist Tax Credit Bill | News/Media Alliance

News publications all across California will run a full page ad declaring that the journalism industry is unified in support of AB-2222, the Community NEWS ...

newsmediaalliance.org

"California’s blockbuster journalism bill [AB 2222] isn’t yet signed into law but its progress still offers lessons to other states hoping to save their local-news industries." Read the Q&A with Assemblymember @buffywicks.bsky.social at @seattletimes.com: www.seattletimes.com/opinion/cali...

California legislator's advice on passing policies to save local news

If it's signed into law, California's new journalism support bill will raise the bar for other states looking to save local news. A sponsor has advice for them.

seattletimes.com

The Latest from Rebuild Local News President @stevenwaldman.bsky.social 🗣️ "AI companies could make one-time contributions to permanent endowments, giving communities watchdog reporting without giving the companies control." 🔗 @poynterinstitute.bsky.social: www.poynter.org/commentary/2...

Want to build a data center? Fund the journalists who will hold it accountable - Poynter

AI companies could make one-time contributions to permanent endowments, giving communities watchdog reporting without giving the companies control

poynter.org

Counting newspapers only tells part of the story as @rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social and @poynterinstitute.bsky.social share. Understanding the health of local news also means looking at who is actually reporting in a community and whether newsrooms have the capacity to cover what residents need.

There are options when it comes to saving local journalism. For example, AB 2222 is waiting for Newsom's signature in California. I really hope Northwest states follow the lead of Rebuild Local News. Something like this would be a game changer: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/explainer-ca...

Explainer: California’s Community NEWS Act (AB 2222)

An overview of California’s proposed local journalist employment credit for newsrooms, explaining how the program works, who qualifies, and the safeguards designed to prevent misuse.

rebuildlocalnews.org

"On Thursday, more than a dozen journalists at Sacramento Bee, Fresno Bee and Modesto Bee newspapers were the latest to receive layoff notices in a major chain-wide staff cut by McClatchy Media." www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...

Why Gov. Newsom should support California’s big bet on local news

OPINION: If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs AB2222 into law, it would become the largest investment in local news of its kind in American history, Matt Pearce writes.

sfchronicle.com

The McClatchy layoffs are a devastating blow to an already‑strained reporting ecosystem. As @governor.ca.gov considers AB 2222, California has a chance to help newsrooms retain and hire more local journalists and set a model for other states. Learn more: www.poynter.org/business-wor...

McClatchy cuts more than 90 staff in its most severe layoffs in years - Poynter

At least 13 papers — including The Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee and The Kansas City Star — lost reporters

poynter.org

California AB 2222’s proposed journalist employment tax credits would also strengthen reporting capacity, and safeguard essential coverage. That's why we and dozens of other organizations call on @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to support the bill.

Historic Local News Coalition of National, State Organizations Urge Gov. Newsom of California to Support AB 2222

The bill would establish the nation’s largest investment in community news, expanding reporting capacity and coverage across California.

rebuildlocalnews.org

Communities need strong local news. SPJ joins a coalition of 130+ groups led by @rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social, urging @governor.ca.gov to support AB 2222, a First Amendment-friendly bill to help local newsrooms hire reporters and deepen community coverage.

Historic Local News Coalition of National, State Organizations Urge Gov. Newsom of California to Support AB 2222

The bill would establish the nation’s largest investment in community news, expanding reporting capacity and coverage across California.

rebuildlocalnews.org

Local news policy may not be the top of many peoples' minds, but man is it important. Local news is so crucial for fighting corruption, mobilizing civic engagement, building community, holding leaders to account... This is a historic moment and Newsom's gotta sign this NEWS Act in to law!!!

Rebuild Local News@rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social · 2w ago

More than 130 organizations across California and the nation are urging @governor.ca.gov to sign AB 2222, landmark legislation that would create employment credits to help newsrooms strengthen their reporting capacity and deepen coverage across the state. 🔗: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/historic-loc...

More than 130 organizations across California and the nation are urging @governor.ca.gov to sign AB 2222, landmark legislation that would create employment credits to help newsrooms strengthen their reporting capacity and deepen coverage across the state. 🔗: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/historic-loc...

Historic Local News Coalition of National, State Organizations Urge Gov. Newsom of California to Support AB 2222

The bill would establish the nation’s largest investment in community news, expanding reporting capacity and coverage across California.

rebuildlocalnews.org

In the latest issue of The Press Advocate... 🏛️ CA’s supermajority passage of AB 2222 🌎 New global evidence linking a free press to community safety and economic resilience ⚖️ The legal fights over ad taxes that could reshape how states fund essential public goods 🔗: mailchi.mp/rebuildlocal...

"...would create refundable tax credits to help California news organizations hire & retain local journalists" It's a rare day when we get some good news about the news bizz but here's a step in the right direction thanks to efforts by @rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social & local CA news outlets.

California Legislature Passes Nation’s Largest Proposed Investment in Community News

Historic effort provides support to local news outlets for hiring or retaining local journalists, AB 2222 now heads to Gov. Newsom's desk.

rebuildlocalnews.org

This is what I’ve been up to at work — $200m for local news jobs over five years if Gov. Newsom signs AB 2222, fully paid for by taking away corporate tax breaks for overpaid CEOs. www.rebuildlocalnews.org/california-l...

California Legislature Passes Nation’s Largest Proposed Investment in Community News

Historic effort provides support to local news outlets for hiring or retaining local journalists, AB 2222 now heads to Gov. Newsom's desk.

rebuildlocalnews.org

Breakthrough: @asmchrisward.bsky.social's Community NEWS Act (AB 2222) passed out of the California Legislature with supermajority support in both chambers. It now heads to Gov. Newsom, who has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto this landmark bill. Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/california-l...

California Legislature Passes Nation’s Largest Proposed Investment in Community News

Historic effort provides support to local news outlets for hiring or retaining local journalists, AB 2222 now heads to Gov. Newsom's desk.

rebuildlocalnews.org

ICYMI: The California Senate advanced the Community NEWS Act (AB 2222) last night, moving a bill that would create journalist employment credits to help local newsrooms strengthen and expand essential community coverage. More below. ⬇️

"The point is to prevent the government from having strong influence or being able to pick winners and losers in the industry, said @mattdpearce.com" www.latimes.com/california/s...

California's new attempt to help struggling newsrooms faces key test

The bill will require approval from two-thirds of the Legislature in the coming days in order to make it to Gov. Newsom's desk.

latimes.com

Nearly two-thirds of New Jersey residents say they want more local news. And yet a new study from @centerforcooperativemedia.org shows that in‑state outlets dropped 8.2% while out‑of‑state providers grew 7.3% since 2021. Read the full report: centerforcooperativemedia.org/news-topogra...

The latest issue of Daedalus asks a defining question for the nation’s 250th year: How do we renovate American democracy? @stevenwaldman.bsky.social argues that confronting the collapse of local news is critical to repairing many of the civic harms we see today. 🔗 Link to his essay below.

A free press is more than a source of reliable coverage. It’s a life‑saving public good. A new international study finds that journalism drives faster, more effective government response in moments of emergency and disaster. Learn more: news.un.org/en/story/202...

What’s journalism worth in disasters and emergencies? A lot, says a new UN report

A single New York Times article on a disaster generated an additional $500,000 in official aid. That’s just one of the findings on the critical role a free press plays in saving lives, according to a ...

news.un.org

The California Legislature is on the cusp of passing the Community NEWS Act (AB 2222), which would create refundable employment credits to support newsroom employment and local reporting across California. Learn more: www.rebuildlocalnews.org/community-ne...

“The trend line is up — there’s more and more states that are taking action, considering action, discussing public policy,” said @stevenwaldman.bsky.social, president of Rebuild Local News. “A few years ago there were hardly any.”

Rebuild Local News@rebuildlocalnews.bsky.social · last mo.

Six states are directing an estimated $82 million into local newsrooms this year; a powerful sign of what’s possible when policymakers treat trusted information as essential civic infrastructure. Read more at @pluribusnews.bsky.social: pluribusnews.com/news-and-eve...

Six states are directing an estimated $82 million into local newsrooms this year; a powerful sign of what’s possible when policymakers treat trusted information as essential civic infrastructure. Read more at @pluribusnews.bsky.social: pluribusnews.com/news-and-eve...

Lawmakers throw lifeline to struggling local news industry - Pluribus News

State lawmakers are attempting to help newspapers and other local news outlets as they struggle to survive a disrupted information ecosystem.

pluribusnews.com

If you’re heading to the 2026 @lionpubs.bsky.social Independent News Sustainability Summit in San Diego, join us at News & Brews to swap ideas, spark new collaborations, and connect with California’s local‑news leaders. Register Below: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

News & Brews San Diego: Registration Required, Free to Attend

Join us for an evening of connection and conversation at this after-hours networking event. Who? All Independent News Sustainability Summit attendees are welcome. We'll also be joined by champions of...

docs.google.com

In 2025, Axios partnered with OpenAI, raising industry concerns about how AI companies engage with newsrooms. As our policy director @mattdpearce.com notes, newsrooms may view these deals as more advantageous than pursuing legal action. Via @columjournreview.bsky.social: www.cjr.org/feature/axio...

Axios wants to save local news with AI.

“At the end of the day, if someone’s going to pay you for content, you say: Well, how much are you going to pay me?” Jim VandeHei, the chief executive, said of his company’s deal with OpenAI. “If that...

cjr.org

"Last week, an AI newsroom beat mainstream journalists—including WIRED—to a story about OpenAI and hacking. It’s just the beginning." Read more at @wired.com (@knibbs.bsky.social): www.wired.com/story/ai-new...

Oh Lord, AI Reporters Are Actually Breaking Big News

Last week, an AI newsroom beat mainstream journalists—including WIRED—to a story about OpenAI and hacking. It’s just the beginning.

wired.com