📰 National Trust sells 21 Colorado newspapers

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

» National Trust sells 21 Colorado newspapers

» An interesting use case for AI: scraping city council meetings

» California slashes local journalism fund 

» LION expanding pilot for 40 additional newsrooms

» Ambition and optimism for nonprofit local news

» Local media at a tipping point

📰 National Trust sells 21 Colorado newspapers

The National Trust for Local News, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping local news local, abruptly sold off 21 newspapers to an Arizona company last week. According to Nieman Lab, the buyer - Tempe, AZ based Times Media Group, has “a history of gutting local outlets”. TMG claims that they’ll do what the can to keep the newspapers operating and that “It’s all in the interest of — as always — keeping the journalism sustainable.” At least two senior employees were laid off. Read more from Colorado journalist Corey Hutchins.

🤖 An interesting use case for AI: scraping city council meetings

Columbia Journalism Review recently wrote about a number of new startups that scrape hours of local council meetings, find the most important parts, and output these highlights into free newsletters for the public. One of the companies, Maine based Civic Sunlight, has seen some early success with thousands of people receiving their newsletters.

✂ California slashes local journalism fund

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed cutting the payout of a deal made with Google last year to fund California newsrooms from $30 million to just $10 million. The move comes as the state grapples with a $12 billion shortfall for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Read more here.

🦁 LION expanding pilot for 40 additional newsrooms

LION Publishers recently announced that they’re expanding their Sustainability 360 program to serve 40 additional members this year. The year long program offers newsrooms “operational, financial, and leadership support they need to grow through a combination of hands-on coaching, expert consulting, and peer-connection opportunities”. Interested parties can apply here.

🌱 Ambition and optimism for nonprofit local news

American Journalism Project CEO Sarabeth Berman recently made a speech at AJPalooza on how the AJP is supporting nonprofit newsrooms. This piece, adapted from Berman’s speech, highlights a few success stories like El Paso Matters, Mississippi Today, and City Bureau who are producing impactful journalism, fostering civic trust, and expanding despite industry challenges.

⚖ Local media at a tipping point

Editor & Publisher’s Mike Blinder recently sat down with media analyst Gordon Borrell to discuss Borrell Associates’ annual Local Advertising Benchmark Report. According to Borrell, local media is at a tipping point, "just as likely to tip into oblivion as to survive.” Borrell emphasizes that many local media companies are heading in the wrong direction and must adapt quickly to avoid obsolescence. Read more, watch or listen to the conversation here.

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Local Stories

⏩ New energy, passion infuses journalism in South Dakota

⏩ Community Members in Chicago Advocate for the News They Need

⏩ North Country newspaper editor retires after 40 years in the business

⏩ Inland Journal: Spokane news leaders weigh in on the state of local journalism

⏩ Big Changes Are Coming To Local TV News. Here’s How Journalists Can Avoid Being Blindsided

⏩ How to Build a Hyperlocal Media Empire: Lessons from Georgia Fort

⏩ Four news outlets and a student newspaper to receive yearlong training to bolster coverage of nonprofit accountability and solutions

⏩ ‘It’s necessary for a community to thrive’: Rural newspapers refocus their publications as news deserts grow

⏩ Oregon has a rare chance to rebuild trust in local news

⏩ OU Daily among 11 state newsrooms in project to improve user experience, drive new revenue