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

» What fills news deserts? “Social media feeds, influencers and gossip”

» Publishers frustrated with postal woes

» Vertical video becoming essential for publishers

» A new podcast collection of local stories

» Alden eyes Chicago’s Daily Herald

🌵 What fills news deserts? “Social media feeds, influencers and gossip”

In many US news deserts, a Medill survey found that slightly more than half of residents now get information from non journalistic sources like social media groups, influencers, friends and family, rather than professional news outlets. This shift happens even though people in these areas consume local information at similar rates as others, but they trust journalism less and often don’t realize what they’re missing without local reporting.

📬 Publishers frustrated with postal woes

After recent U.S. Postal Service changes, more newspapers say their print editions are arriving late, or not at all, leaving subscribers frustrated and publishers scrambling. Industry leaders warn the delays are hurting trust and revenue at a time when local news outlets can least afford another setback. I recently spoke about this with Jordan Brechenser on the podcast.

🎥 Vertical video becoming essential for publishers

Newsrooms are increasingly producing vertical video -think TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, to meet audience demand, boost engagement and keep local news relevant in a media world dominated by mobile and social platforms. This shift reflects how consumers now prefer mobile friendly formats and how publishers are adapting storytelling and distribution strategies to stay competitive and visible where people spend the most time.

….. and speaking of that:

🎙️ A new podcast collection of local stories

NPR is launching the NPR Network American Storytelling Collection, a curated series showcasing standout local stories from public radio stations across the country. The effort aims to amplify community reporting nationwide and spotlight the depth of journalism happening beyond national headlines.

🦈 Alden eyes Chicago’s Daily Herald

Alden Global Capital ran a full page ad in its Sunday Chicago Tribune edition with an offer to buy Paddock Publications, the employee owned publisher of the Daily Herald. The pitch comes as Paddock formally explores a sale under Illinois law, with another potential bidder like Shaw Media reportedly interested, and raises questions about how a change in ownership could affect the Herald’s local focus and newsroom independence.

Small Press, Big Ideas

A podcast about the business of local news

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS

📰 Saving a struggling local newspaper

First up on the podcast this week, Laura Rearwin Ward shares the gritty, hands on journey of taking over the struggling Ojai Valley News, turning it around from the brink of bankruptcy, and championing independent journalism across California with the California Independent News Alliance (CINA).

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🤖 Why AI isn’t just another tech disruption

Next I was joined by Greg Krehbiel, president of The Krehbiel Group, about the accelerating disruption AI poses to publishing, local media, and the broader economy.

We talked about why AI may not be "just another wave of disruption", the existential threat AI poses to jobs across industries, how local publishers can retain relevance and economic viability, and a lot more.

Apple | Spotify | YouTube

🏗 Building a media company with just two people (and one AI)

I was joined by Mark Talkington, founder of Valley Voice Media and co-creator of Satchel AI, an AI powered reporting tool, about his unique path from traditional journalism to tech powered local news innovation.

It’s a great story of a side project Substack started during the pandemic that has grown into a thriving local media company with thousands of subscribers and an AI tool now used by newsrooms around the world.

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More Stories

⏩ A new kind of public editor is taking on the entire city of Indianapolis

⏩ Charles Sennott talks about his journey from global correspondent to local news entrepreneur

⏩ Senate Hearing Examines Impact of FCC Broadcast Ownership Rule on Local Journalism, Market Competition

⏩ IU launches newsroom to boost Southern Indiana coverage, student opportunities

⏩ Central Florida Public Media debuts weekly local news program, 'Reportable'

⏩ Why investing in local journalism is worth a tax credit

⏩ Last year, Illinois started giving local news outlets tax credits to support journalism jobs. A new report looks at how it’s going

⏩ Minnesota Star Tribune launches News Literacy Initiative

⏩ ChatGPT is asked about local news 1 million times per week, OpenAI says