Local News Matters highlights the interesting and innovative work of local newsrooms – as well as the crucial questions they face – as they endeavor to evolve their organizations to produce more meaningful journalism, to better serve their communities and to enhance their organization’s financial sustainability for long-term results. Hosted by Tim Regan-Porter, CEO of the Colorado Press Association, Local News Matters features guests from newsrooms and support organizations across the U.S. i ...
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The path to sustainability through innovation, collaboration and infrastructure with Knight Foundation’s Jim Brady
1:09:03
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Jim Brady, vice president of journalism at Knight Foundation, shares his insights into the current state of local journalism and the quest for sustainability. He discusses Press Forward, a $500 million-plus national initiative aimed at supporting local news. Drawing on his extensive experience in digital media, Jim reflects on the challenges and op…
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Reinventing local journalism with community at its core: Exit interview with Candice Fortman
1:03:58
1:03:58
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Candice Fortman, former executive director of Outlier Media, shares her journey transforming local journalism in Detroit. She reflects on the innovative service journalism model she helped build, which focuses on filling critical information gaps for underserved communities. Candice discusses how Outlier evolved from a scrappy startup into a well-r…
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Equity-driven journalism with Resolve Philly’s Jean Friedman-Rudovsky
1:09:38
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Jean Friedman-Rudovsky, executive director of Resolve Philly, delves into the evolution of the nonprofit newsroom and its mission to address the information needs of underserved communities in Philadelphia. She discusses the critical role of equity in journalism, sharing how Resolve Philly has integrated this principle into both its internal practi…
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Reimagining local election coverage for community trust with NYU’s Jay Rosen
1:10:36
1:10:36
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Jay Rosen, a prominent media theorist and professor of journalism at New York University, discusses the critical role of local election coverage and the Citizens Agenda model as an alternative to the traditional horse race approach. He emphasizes the need for local journalists to ground election coverage in the concerns of their communities, addres…
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The rise and evolution of nonprofit news: Exit interview with INN's Sue Cross
1:06:16
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Sue Cross, the recently retired executive director of the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), shares her insights on the remarkable growth and impact of nonprofit news. She highlights the evolving landscape of newsroom founders, the crucial role of community support, and strategies to maintain journalistic independence from funders. Cross also addr…
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Building a Nonprofit News Powerhouse with Mississippi Today’s Mary Margaret White
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Mary Margaret White, CEO and executive director of Mississippi Today, discusses her journey in helping readers and philanthropy understand the value of journalism as a civic good. She shares insights on the history and growth of Mississippi Today, which launched in 2016 to fill a need for Capitol reporting and has since expanded to cover a wide ran…
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Carving out new lanes for early-stage news startups with Tiny News Collective’s Amy Kovac-Ashley
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Amy Kovac-Ashley, the executive director of Tiny News Collective shares insights on how Tiny News Collective supports early-stage news founders, particularly those from traditionally excluded communities, by providing resources, tools, and a supportive community. The discussion covers the importance of diverse voices in local journalism, the challe…
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How TAPinto's franchise model powers local newsrooms with CEO Michael Shapiro
57:06
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In this episode, Michael Shapiro, founder and CEO of TAPinto, delves into his innovative franchise model for local news. He shares insights on how TAPinto helps local news publishers focus on local content and advertising by handling backend services like billing, technology and graphic design. Shapiro highlights success stories from various franch…
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New approaches to thriving in community news with Kenny Katzgrau of redbankgreen and Broadstreet
59:26
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Kenny Katzgrau, majority owner of redbankgreen and founder of Broadstreet, shares his vision for revitalizing community journalism. He discusses strategies to help hyperlocal websites and small community weeklies thrive. Katzgrau’s approach involves enhancing advertising efficacy and community engagement through digital tools, advocating for news t…
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Defying Trends: John Garrett of Community Impact on Growing a Hyperlocal Chain Leading with Print
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John Garrett, CEO and founder of Community Impact, shares insights from his journey of launching and expanding a family of hyperlocal weekly newspapers from the game room of his Texas home in 2005 to reaching 2.5 million homes across 70 communities today. Garrett delves into the unconventional success of a print-centric model in a digital-dominated…
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Leveraging local news' digital edge in advertising with Shannon Kinney of Dream Local Digital
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Shannon Kinney, founder of Dream Local Digital, discusses the evolving landscape of digital advertising and how trust is also a secret sauce for news media in selling advertising. With her extensive experience and accolades, including serving on the board for the Local Media Association and being named Local Digital Innovator of the Year, Shannon o…
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Leaping in the unknown with The Colorado Sun's Larry Ryckman
1:03:08
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Larry Ryckman, editor and co-founder of The Colorado Sun, shares insights into the digital outlet’s journey. Transitioning to a nonprofit model on its fifth anniversary, The Colorado Sun has not only survived but thrived, garnering national attention for its approach to news coverage and its business model. With more individual members than the muc…
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Building a sustainable future through philanthropy, innovation and impact: Insights from LMA's Frank Mungeam
1:10:38
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Frank Mungeam, chief innovation officer at the Local Media Association, discusses his "Sustaining Philanthropy for Journalism" report released last month. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement and listening as the foundation for developing impactful journalism projects that resonate with local needs. Mungeam outlines a strategic appr…
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Exit Interview: Kelly Ann Scott and the Digital Reinvention of Alabama Media Group
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As Kelly Ann Scott leaves her position as VP of Content for Alabama Media Group to assume the role of Executive Editor and Senior Vice President at the Houston Chronicle, she shares her insights on digital transformation in local journalism in one of the most fascinating examples of digital transformation. Scott discusses the strategic reorganizati…
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AI in the Newsroom: Practical Uses for Today's Journalists with Dan Grech (LNM Episode 25)
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Dan Grech joins host Tim Regan-Porter again to explore the practical applications of AI in journalism. This episode delves into how AI tools are currently being used in newsrooms to free up time for journalists and better service audiences. The conversation highlights the potential of AI to influence storytelling and marketing, its impacts on journ…
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Collaborative paths to sustainability for ethnic media with URL Media’s Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita
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In this candid discussion, Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita, co-founders of URL Media, delve into the network's mission to support and empower independent media serving Black and Brown communities. Now in its fourth year, URL Media aims to address the gaps and challenges faced by these media entrepreneurs, focusing on enhancing reach, expanding reven…
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Preserving the local in local news with the National Trust for Local News’ Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro
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In this episode, I sit down with Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro, CEO and co-founder of the National Trust for Local News, to discuss the vital work they're doing in preserving and evolving local news across the country. Elizabeth, with her background as a Harvard Business School-trained academic ("failed academic" in her words, since she's now actively w…
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“From news deserts to civic media” from When the People Decide
28:08
28:08
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We’ve taken a little time off to focus on the Colorado Press Association’s 145th annual convention last month. It was a great event, featuring many of the guests you’ve heard on this podcast. But it’s an all-consuming event, and I’m excited to go back to putting out episodes. For now, I’m dropping a guest episode of When the People Decide, a show a…
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Building business capacity and rigor in nonprofit newsrooms with American Journalism Project’s Sarabeth Berman
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1:06:35
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Sarabeth Berman, CEO of the American Journalism Project, discusses the organization's approach to helping nonprofit news organizations build strong, sustainable businesses. She shares insights from her unique vantage point, having come from outside the world of journalism. The conversation also delves into AJP's collaboration with OpenAI, examining…
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Reflecting on Intermountain Jewish News' 110 Years of Impact with Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg
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Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg reflect on the legacy of the Intermountain Jewish News (IJN) as it marks its 110th year. They delve into IJN's dedication to unbiased journalism, its profound impact on the Jewish community, and the evolving landscape of news. IJN's journey underscores the value of balanced journalism, the significance of co…
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The Journalism Salute with Lyndsay C. Green of Detroit Free Press
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26:56
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I’m excited to share an episode of The Journalism Salute podcast from Mark Simon. Mark describes the podcast as a “journalism appreciation” podcast. His interviews with a diverse cast of working journalists are nice compliments to the interviews Local News Matters does on the newsrooms and support systems that enable that work. In this episode, Mar…
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Bridging the Gap in New Mexico: The Local News Fund’s Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser
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New Mexico is one of a number of state-level bright spots in local news, thanks in large part to the efforts of our guests. Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser shed light on the New Mexico Local News Fund's initiatives to bridge gaps in local journalism. From fostering young talent to securing state funding, they explore the Fund's impact on communities…
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The Mountain-Ear’s Evolving Legacy: How a small-town paper captured a tech entrepreneur's heart and investment
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The Mountain-Ear, nestled in Nederland, Colorado, has long been a cherished source of community journalism. With a tech entrepreneur's recent investment aimed at preserving the paper's legacy and supporting its evolution, both he and editor/publisher (and former owner) Barbara Hardt join us to discuss their journeys. Barbara discusses her multiface…
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Navigating the AI Revolution in Journalism: A Conversation with Dan Grech
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In this episode, we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and journalism with Dan Grech, a Pulitzer-winning former journalist and news director who has transitioned into the world of marketing and AI. Grech shares his unique perspective on the potential of AI to transform storytelling, marketing, and more, while also discussing the em…
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Unlocking Revenue Opportunities with ERTC: A Conversation with Zack Richner
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Zack Richner, founder of Easy Tax Credits and third-generation community newspaper owner, demystifies the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) and its potential benefits for news organizations. Zack explains how his company assists businesses, including newspapers, in applying for the ERTC, and how this process can generate substantial referral rev…
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Centering communities: Tracie Powell on equity, inclusivity and philanthropy
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Tracie Powell, the engaging and provocative founder and CEO of the Pivot Fund, shares her unique perspective on the intersection of journalism, philanthropy, and racial equity. Drawing from her rich experiences spanning j-school, advertising and circulation, reporting, law school, and her current role in philanthropy, Tracie provides a nuanced view…
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Boosting Engagement and Revenue with Newsletters: Insights from Dan Oshinsky
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Dan Oshinsky, founder of Inbox Collective, is one of the foremost experts on building, growing and monetizing newsletters. Oshinsky discusses how email newsletters remain a powerful tool for local newsrooms to build an audience and generate revenue, best practices for creating successful newsletters, and the benefits of AI-powered tools for writers…
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Journalism, leadership and the power of diversity with Linday Shapley (via What Works)
55:25
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I am excited to bring you an episode from another excellent podcast covering the local news industry. From Northeastern University’s School of Journalism, “What Works: The Future of Local News” is hosted by former Boston Globe editor Ellen Clegg and Northeastern’s Dan Kennedy. They talk to journalists, policymakers and entrepreneurs, and their conv…
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Insights from Media Tech Startup CEOs, Yehong Zhu of Zette and Jake Seaton of Column
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Yehong Zhu, founder and CEO of Zette, and Jake Seaton, founder and CEO of Column, about the challenges and successes of running tech startups that serve news organizations. They explore the impact of financial pressure in the industry and the importance of improving customer experience for publishers and readers. They discuss what journalism can le…
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Digital Advertising Trends & Strategies with Charity Huff, CEO of January Spring
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Even as newsrooms shift their focus to reader revenue, evolving their digital ad strategies can provide a crucial boost to their sustainability and provide a valuable service to their local communities. Charity Huff, CEO of January Spring and managing partner at Maroon Ventures and host Tim Regan-Porter explore the latest trends in digital advertis…
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The Green Bay Packers’ Community Ownership Model for Local News: Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry at the Aurora Sentinel
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Last year, the Aurora Sentinel in Colorado transitioned to a non-profit and immediately began exploring options for community investment. Working closely with Joaquin Alvarado, they are preparing to roll-out a community ownership initiative modeled after Green Bay Packers’ fan-ownership structure. In this episode of Local News Matters, Dave Perry, …
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Public policy as a tool to support local news: Steve Waldman of Rebuild Local News
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Steve Waldman recently stepped away from Report for America to found Rebuild Local News, a nonprofit focused on using public policy to support journalism. In this episode, we talk through the history of public policy as it relates to news, the perils of government involvement, the nuances of crafting policy that balances multiple goals and concerns…
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Flourishing when everything’s against you: Serving border communities with Maritza Félix of Conecta Arizona
1:05:20
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When the pandemic hit North America in 2020, Emmy-winning journalist Maritza Félix started a WhatsApp group to answer questions for friends and family on both sides of the border between Arizona and Mexico. What she assumed would be a short-lived project for people she knew has grown to encompass daily conversations on WhatsApp, original reporting …
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A holistic vision for local news ecosystems with Michael Bolden, CEO of the American Press Institute
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Michael Bolden’s role as CEO of the American Press Institute and his background in newsrooms, philanthropy, academia and community engagement puts him in a unique 360-degree view of journalism and how journalists interact with communities. In this conversation, we explore journalism’s importance for democracy, the need to listen with humility, the …
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Special “emergency” episode: Should news media be defined in statute?
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This week, a draft of a Colorado open records bill circulated on Twitter. The bill, among other things, would give a special cost break to news media—as defined in the bill—on records requests. Should journalists get special treatment and should government define who’s included in that designation? Jeff Roberts, executive director of the Colorado F…
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Centering relationship and community with Spaceship Media and The Wedge podcast
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When Spaceship Media's Erica Anderson found herself arguing with her mom over vaccines, she wanted to apply Spaceship's dialogue journalism techniques. What resulted was even more personal than anticipated. In this episode, Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson discuss centering relationships and community when having conversations across differences, ho…
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Shut up and listen: Jennifer Brandel of Hearken on innovation via empathy & inclusiveness
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Jennifer Brandel, co-founder of Hearken, Zebras Unite, Civic Exchange Chicago, Election SOS, Democracy SOS and WBEZ’s Curious City, shares lessons on designing experiments for sustainability, equity and impact. Episode chapters: (2:40) - Jennifer’s path to public radio and Hearken (9:57) - Grants and designing experiments for sustainability (13:36)…
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Trends in local news with Corey Hutchins + takeaways and fact check for Sopris Sun episode
1:06:36
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Corey Hutchins looks back at local news trends in 2022 with Bay Edwards and host Tim Regan-Porter. They discuss the growing role of nonprofit newsrooms, collaborative efforts across the country, government support of local news and public notices. Next, Bay and Rachel Pickarski do a quick fact check of the first episode’s interview with the Sopris …
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Innovation & inclusiveness with a small staff at the Sopris Sun
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In the first full episode of the Local News Matters podcast, host Tim Regan-Porter sits down with executive director Todd Chamberlain and editor Raleigh Burleigh of the Sopris Sun, a weekly print newspaper and nonprofit in the small town of Carbondale, Colorado. The paper’s budget has doubled in the past two years, and Raleigh won the 2022 Innovati…
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Preview: Innovating with limited money, serving communities with empathy & inclusion
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In this preview episode, host Tim Regan-Porter introduces the podcast with excerpts from the first four full episodes. Across interviews with journalists and executives of very different organizations, some common themes emerge, including: what it takes to innovate with limited time and money, focusing on service to the community, how to integrate …
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