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

» Is a billionaire acquiring local publishers actually in it for the right reasons?

» Chicago Sun-Times loses 20% of its workforce

» A ‘soft-landing’ for struggling local news outlets?

» DOGE cuts hit local weather reporting

» Gray Media expands local TV coverage

💸 Is a billionaire acquiring local publishers actually in it for the right reasons?

This piece from Editor & Publisher examines Hoffman Media Group, a privately held media company based in Southwest Florida owned by billionaire David Hoffman, and its acquisition of nearly 20 local publishers in recent years. Instead of another billionaire gutting newsrooms for profits, HMG has actually invested in publishers and implemented strategic changes, such as giving operators more autonomy and profit & loss responsibility.

✂ Chicago Sun-Times loses 20% of its workforce

Thirty employees of the Chicago Sun-Times have agreed to resign under buyout terms “in hopes of stanching persistent financial deficits”. The employees leaving are mostly writers and editors. The Sun-Times owners, Chicago Public Media, offered buyouts to manage expected expiration of grants at the end of 2026.

🛬 A ‘soft-landing’ for struggling local news outlets?

This piece from Nieman Lab takes a look at Newswell, a nonprofit affiliated with Arizona State University, which aims to provide sustainable support for local news outlets in transition by offering back-end services such as HR, accounting, IT, and legal assistance. It has already acquired three California-based publications: Stocktonia, Times of San Diego, and the Santa Barbara News-Press.

🌩 DOGE cuts hit local weather reporting

This article from Poynter discusses significant staffing cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These reductions have raised concerns among scientists and local meteorologists about the potential degradation of weather forecasting accuracy and public safety.

📺 Gray Media expands local TV coverage

Gray Media is expanding its Local News Live program to 37 of its local TV stations. The one hour program will reach more than 19 million households and feature reporting from local news teams in addition to the local impact of national and international stories.

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Small Press, Big Ideas

A podcast about the business of local news

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The Evolution of the Online News Association

This week on Small Press, Big Ideas I sat down with Karolle Rabarison and Meghan Murphy from the Online News Association (ONA). The Online News Association is the world’s largest digital journalism association and was founded in the late 1990s as the internet began reshaping news media.

Karolle’s journey to the ONA was shaped by a deep interest in digital media, civic engagement, and access to information—despite not coming from a traditional journalism background. She’s actually trained in economics! In her role as Director of Communications she spends time ensuring ONA’s programs reach the right audiences, connecting journalists with resources, and expanding ONA’s community.

Meghan’s path was shaped by a love of journalism, community building, and digital innovation. While she attended journalism school and worked at her student newspaper, she was eventually drawn to the behind-the-scenes work of connecting people, solving problems, and strengthening the role of journalism in communities

On the podcast we discuss the history and mission of the ONA, the rise of AI in journalism, and remember a time when online news wasn’t taken seriously. We also discuss the ONA’s initiatives in 2025 around climate and resilience, training and networking offered by the organization, and whether or not I should attend ONA25 in New Orleans this year (mostly so I can binge on beignets 😋).

Listen wherever podcasts are found or with full summary on my website: The Evolution of the Online News Association

Local Stories

⏩ Vermont media wins appeals court ruling on right of access

⏩ From news desert to newsroom: How the Belmont Voice rebuilt community journalism

⏩ 15 Arizona newsrooms to receive funding to hire journalists as part of $2 million education collaborative

⏩ Tri-Cities news veteran working to rebuild trust in news media

⏩ Lee Enterprises says it welcomes calls and emails from Buffalo News customers with concerns

⏩ $3 million investment to support South Florida journalism