AP announces pilot program for local partners

Hello! Here’s what’s in this week’s issue:

» AP announces pilot program for local partners

» Gannett launches true crime project powered by local journalism

» Is news going through a metamorphosis?

» News/Media Alliance urges administration to stop newsprint tariffs

» Local journalism champion passes away 

» Senators propose local news month

» AI changing newsroom workflows

🗞 AP announces pilot program for local partners​

The Associated Press Fund for Journalism has announced its board of directors and a pilot program involving nearly 50 nonprofit news orgs aimed at enhancing state and local news reporting. The program will program will provide participating newsrooms with AP content, editorial tools, and training.

🔪 Gannett launches true crime project powered by local journalism

Gannett has introduced a standalone true-crime subscription service that curates investigative journalism from its local news outlets nationwide. Witness aims to leverage Gannett's extensive local reporting to offer subscribers in-depth true-crime stories.

🦋 Is news going through a metamorphosis?

This piece discusses the evolving landscape of news consumption, highlighting that while traditional local news outlets are declining, people are increasingly accessing news through nontraditional sources. Are Americans consuming less news because culture is changing? Or is culture changing because we’re consuming less news?

⚖ News/Media Alliance urges administration to stop newsprint tariffs

The News/Media Alliance sent a letter to the Commerce Secretary last week requesting a halt on antidumping and countervailing duties on aluminum lithographic printing plates from Japan and China. They argue that tariffs, set at 200% for China and 87% for Japan, disrupt supply chains, hinder access to necessary printing equipment, and exacerbate the decline of local journalism. Read more from Editor & Publisher.

💔 Local journalism champion passes away

John Thornton, founder of the Texas Tribune and co-founder of the American Journalism Project, passed away last week at 59. Thornton’s passing sent shockwaves through the industry and inspired tributes from colleagues and friends far and wide. Read more from Poynter.

🗓 Senators propose local news month

A group of 16 US Senators introduced a resolution designating April 2025 as “Preserving and Protecting Local News Month”. Although the move claims to “underscore the vital role of local journalism in American democracy”, it doesn’t seem to offer many actual solutions for the industry. Read more here.

🤖 AI changing newsroom workflows

Check out this panel discussion from industry experts on how AI is revolutionizing newsroom workflows. Some highlights include tools like NOTA that help publishers refine content for better audience engagement, AI's role in automating routine tasks, and facilitating the conversion of content into various formats.

Events

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Local Stories

⏩ Cherokee journalist Rebecca Nagle to talk media coverage of Indigenous communities

⏩ Berkeleyside names local news veteran Zac Farber as its new editor-in-chief

⏩ Celebrating 4 years of community-powered journalism at the Fort Worth Report

⏩ Journalists at Seline lecture discuss decline of local news, rise of political polarization

⏩ ‘Passionate supporter’ of local journalism joins Village Media as board chair

⏩ Debate continues on fund to aid journalism

⏩ Four more Springfield radio stations sold. Here's what to know

⏩ Katy Burns Local Journalism Fund $10,000 Match Starts Today Through April