Medill Local News Initiative

State of Local News Project's director Zach Metzger spoke with CNN about the lack of access to local news in military communities, leaving millions with fewer reliable sources of information. Watch here: cnn.com/2026/05/20/us/…

Local Businesses LOVE Sponsoring Youth Sports on Local News! Find the full episode here: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/05/…

The fight to save the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette raises a bigger question: what does it actually mean to save local news? New reporting from the Local News Initiative explores the future of legacy newspapers and civic information. localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/05/…

Join the Northwestern Local News Initiative and the Maynard Institute on June 4–5 in Chicago for a FREE leadership training for early- and mid-career editors and managers. Register by May 26 here: mije.org/programs/for-i…

Listen to the full episode here: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/05/…

Want your local government to actually listen? @WGLTNews – Bloomington-Normal's Public Media is reporting on what works — and what doesn't — when citizens show up to advocate for change. Tune in the week of May 11. #HealingIllinois #DemocracyLivesHere

Your ballot could be thrown out — not because you did anything wrong but because of a postal rule change you’ve probably never heard of. Chicago News Weekly is exposing what’s at stake and who’s fighting back. Don’t miss this. #HealingIllinois #DemocracyLivesHere

What does it actually take to run an election? Capitol News Illinois is reporting on Illinois county clerks — their evolving roles, their challenges and the practices that strengthen faith in electoral processes. Coming May 11. Stay tuned. #HealingIllinois

Democracy Lives Here. Launching May 11: five IL newsrooms reporting on what's working to strengthen democracy across the state. Supported by @FieldFoundation, IDHS, and @MedillSchool. Stay tuned. #HealingIllinois

What does craft beer have to do with local news? More than you think. 🍻 On the latest episode of the State of Local News Podcast, Chuck Todd explains why people crave unique, local journalism again. Read/Listen: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/05/…

As local newsrooms shrink, coverage of U.S. military bases is disappearing—leaving millions with fewer reliable sources of information. Read new research by Medill State of Local News Project's director Zach Metzger here: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/04/…

Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0IXWZa…

News deserts are becoming data centers, and the watchdogs are already gone. Read here: cjr.org/feature/ai-dat…

Thrilled to be featured on @RonanFarrow's Instagram:

We are collecting nominations for Local News ‘Bright Spots’ to feature in our 2026 State of Local News Report! Send us your nominations! localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/04/…

How did The New York Times grow to nearly 13M digital subscribers? Tim Franklin speaks with Ben Cotton about subscriptions, product strategy, and what local newsrooms can learn. Watch/listen 👇 localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/04/…

New report finds nonprofit news outlets need to develop robust revenue outside philanthropy to succeed long term: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/04/…

New on the LNI Site: localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2026/03/…