Local News Matters – Details, episodes & analysis

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-respected newsroom known for directly addressing residents’ needs through text messaging and other community-centered approaches.

Candice offers insights into the challenges of scaling and funding local journalism, particularly in economically struggling areas like Detroit. She also reflects on her leadership growth, her partnership with Outlier’s founder Sarah Alvarez, and how they navigated the impact of COVID-19 on local news. Looking ahead, Candice talks about her excitement for new opportunities and her commitment to telling stories that matter to local communities.

Listeners will find inspiration in Candice’s vision of journalism as a public good and her advice for newsrooms that want to make a lasting impact through deep community engagement.

Episode chapters:

(00:02:30) - The mission and model of Outlier Media

(00:07:26) - Scaling and evolving Outlier Media’s operations

(00:11:34) - Fundraising challenges and merging with MuckRock

(00:14:51) - COVID-19, text messaging and refocusing on local information needs

(00:23:21) - Journalism as a public good

(00:27:57) - Candice’s leadership journey and growth

(00:35:32) - Growing up Black in Detroit

(00:43:13) - Fundraising advice and community impact

(00:49:22) - Rapid-fire questions

(00:57:26) - Media and local recommendations

• Candice Fortman: Linkedln,Twitter/X

• Outlier Media

• JSK Fellowships at Stanford University

• Mentioned

• Sarah Alvarez

• City Bureau

• Documenters

• MuckRock

• Jay Hamilton

• Conecta Arizona

• Baltimore Beat

• WDET

• Michigan Public Radio

• Oaklandside

• MLK50

• Local recommendations

• Riverwalk (Detroit)

• Source Booksellers

• Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre

• Eastern Market

• Motor City Wine

• Cutter’s Bar and Grill

• Media recommendations

• She Has A Name podcast by Tonya Mosley

• “The Nonprofit Hospital That Makes Millions, Owns a Collection Agency and Relentlessly Sues the Poor” by Wendi Thomas (MLK50/ProPublica)

• Renaissance by Beyonce

• Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

• Amazing Grace by Aretha Franklin

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Pirate Audio

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Jean Friedman-Rudovsky (Resolve Philly), Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shaprio (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun),  Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). 

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 practices and editorial work. Jean also highlights the power of collaboration in local news, offering insights into how Resolve Philly has effectively partnered with other newsrooms to tackle issues like reentry and poverty.

Additionally, Jean explores the importance of community engagement and participatory journalism, describing how Resolve Philly involves residents in the news creation process. She provides practical advice for newsrooms looking to incorporate these elements, even with limited resources. Jean also touches on the strategic decisions behind funding, emphasizing the need for diverse revenue streams and the importance of avoiding competition with partner newsrooms. 

Episode chapters:

(00:02:19) - The mission and founding of Resolve Philly

(00:06:51) - The evolution and trajectory of Resolve Philly

(00:12:14) - Embedding equity in journalism and its challenges

(00:17:40) - Moving forward with equity despite national polarization

(00:22:40) - Implementing community participatory journalism

(00:28:57) - Designing a newsroom for the future of local news

(00:32:44) - Challenges and strategies in collaboration

(00:39:44) - Seven lessons in collaboration

(00:49:00) - The Philadelphia local news ecosystem

(00:59:09) - Rapid-fire questions

(01:06:35) - Media and local recommendations

• Jean Friedman-Rudovsky: Linkedln, Twitter/X

• Resolve Philly

• Mentioned

• Philadelphia Journalism Collaborative 

• Solutions Journalism Network

• Jane Von Bergen

• The Inquirer

• Center For Cooperative Media

• Broke in Philly

• City Bureau

• Outlier Media

• Cassie Haines

• Derrick Cain

• Becka Gorelick

• Nieman Lab prediction

• The Maynard Institute

• Temple University

• Knight Foundation cities

• Lenfest Institute for Journalism

• Billy Penn

• Philabundance

• Lee Whack

• Local recommendations

• Wissahickon

• Reading Terminal Market

• Old City District

• Germantown

• Media recommendations

• Connect by David Bradford and Carole Robin

• Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

• Manhunt (Apple TV series)

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Pirate Audio

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Jay Rosen (NYU), Sue Cross (Exit interview, INN), Mary Margaret White (Mississippi Today), Amy Kovac-Ashley (Tiny News Collective), Michael Shaprio (TAPinto), Kenny Katzgrau (redbankgreen and Broadstreet), John Garrett (Community Impact), Shannon Kinney (Dream Local Digital), Larry Ryckman (The Colorado Sun),  Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). 

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 much-lauded Texas Tribune, The Colorado Sun's strategy for growing reader revenue without a paywall is a testament to its commitment to accessible journalism.

Ryckman delves into the founding of The Colorado Sun. He discusses the challenges and learnings from moving away from the page view business to focus on engaging content that resonates with readers, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and community in the digital age.

The conversation also covers the Sun's business model, which balances memberships, advertising, and grants, setting a sustainable path forward for nonprofit newsrooms. Ryckman's personal journey from a seasoned journalist to navigating the business side of running a news outlet offers valuable lessons on leadership, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of quality journalism.

Episode chapters:

(02:44) - Founding The Colorado Sun

(08:01) - The successful business model of The Sun

(09:53) - “If we’re going to be digital, let’s make it a great experience.”

(18:44) - Growing reader revenue without a paywall

(24:10) - Learning the business side of journalism

(29:29) - Working without a net as an entrepreneur

(36:11) - From LLC to B Corp to nonprofit

(45:41) - Rapid-fire questions

• Larry Ryckman: LinkedIn, Twitter/X

• The Colorado Sun

• Mentioned:

• Texas Tribune

• Community Impact

• Alabama Media Group

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association), Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).

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 approach to building a sustainable philanthropy model, starting with grassroots support and leveraging impactful journalism to attract funders. Beyond philanthropy, he delves into the broader landscape of innovation and product development within the industry, highlighting the need for local news outlets to adapt to the evolving demands of their audiences. Mungeam envisions a future where a diverse and inclusive local news ecosystem thrives, supported by a blend of philanthropy, community engagement, and innovative content strategies.

Episode chapters:

(02:05) - The burning questions facing local news

(09:17) - Listening for audience needs and the Jobs to Be Done framework

(16:09) - The challenges in local TV news

(21:25) - Taking a risk with Next with Kyle Clark in Denver

(28:10) - Getting outside your legacy lane and mining your archives

(34:56) - Sustaining Philanthropy for Journalism report: Local funders needed

(38:59) - How can philanthropy be sustainable?

(47:22) - Fundraising as a path to better community service, storytelling and product development

(52:04) - Impact is the secret sauce of local journalism

(56:21) - Start with listening then build a philanthropy funnel

(59:49) - Rapid-fire questions

Correction: In the recommendations segment, Frank recommends Man’s Search for Meaning by Eli Wiesel. The book is by Viktor Frankl.

• Frank Mungeamt: LinkedIn, Twitter/X

• Local Media Association

• Sustaining Philanthropy for Journalism report

• Mentioned:

• Innovator's Dilemma and Jobs to Be Done by Clayton Christensen

• Next with Kyle Clark

• Verify

• Press Forward

• How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins

• Pathways to Philanthropy report

• Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

• Recommended

• Tao Te Ching by Lao-tzu, translated by Stephen Mitchell

• Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey

• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). 

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 reorganization of newsrooms into mission-driven teams, the importance of impactful journalism, and the evolution of Alabama Media Group into a digital-first media company. She emphasizes the necessity of product thinking, audience engagement, and the balance between serving current and future audiences. Scott also highlights the significance of empathy and careful decision-making in newsroom leadership, advocating for a focus on solvable problems and innovative solutions.

Episode chapters:

(03:01) - Background of transformation at Alabama Media Group

(08:19) - Success, Pulitzers, serving multiple audiences and making daily choices

(12:24) - Organizing the newsroom to get beyond the daily grind

(19:05) - The innovation cycle: sprints, measurement, current vs. new audiences

(25:19) - Fans, merchandise and brands

(27:10) - Concierge news service

(29:23) - Product thinking and saying goodbye to print

(32:46) - Transformation for smaller mid-sized news organizations

(34:33) - Care and feeding of the team: empathy, listening, not overloading them

(39:33) - Rapid fire questions

• Kelly Ann Scott: LinkedIn, Twitter/X

• Alabama Media Group, AL.com, Alabama Education Lab, This is Alabama, People of Alabama, It’s a Southern Thing, SEC Shorts, Reckon News, Just Like Mama Used to Say

• Houston Chronicle

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). 

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 journalism and local news, and the changes it could bring about. Grech and Regan-Porter discuss various practical AI use cases for journalists, including processing police reports, automated translation of weather reports, and creating transcripts of public meetings. They emphasize the importance of "human in the loop" in AI applications and the need for journalists to adapt to new tools and methodologies.

This episode is part of a series exploring the opportunities and challenges AI presents for journalism, offering insights into how AI can be a powerful ally in the mission of truth and storytelling.

Episode chapters:

(05:27) - Practical AI use cases for journalists from AP

(09:24) - Use Case 1: Processing police reports

(13:12) - Lesson: AI can free up time to focus on key tasks (but automation is difficult to maintain)

(15:39) - Use Case 2: Automated translation of weather reports

(18:39) - Use Case 3: Transcripts of public meetings

(23:01) - Use Case 4: Classifying press release emails for assignment

(26:13) - The importance of “human in the loop”

(27:58) - The importance of working on *how* you work as a journalist

(32:02) - Impact, not just efficiency

(34:40) - Use cases for existing off-the-shelf tools: writing support

(40:22) - Use cases for existing off-the-shelf tools: interview prep

(42:43) - ChatGPT tips

(45:56) - Data analysis and other miscellaneous uses

• Dan Grech: LinkedIn, Twitter

• BizHack Academy: web, Twitter

• Mentioned:

• Navigating the AI Revolution in Journalism: A Conversation with Dan Grech (LNM Episode 16)

• ICFJ

• Local News AI

• Brainerd Dispatch

• El Vocero

• Michigan Radio

• Scrum

• ChatGPT

• Duet AI

• Copilot

• DALL-E

• Midjourney

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). 

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 revenue and building long-term sustainability for BIPOC outlets.

We delve into the unique relationship that ethnic media have with their audiences. The trust inherent in that relationship is a cornerstone in providing nuanced and community-centric journalism. URL Media was founded in the wake of the racial reckoning of 2020, and we discuss the unfulfilled promises from that time and the systemic barriers that persist in various institutions, including the media. They emphasize the importance of trust over scale in journalism and critique the mainstream media's approach to objectivity, which often creates distance and alienation.

Episode chapters:

(02:27) - Founding URL Media to address gaps experienced by media entrepreneurs serving Black and Brown audiences

(05:38) - Scale is not the answer to solving democracy’s woes; trust is

(09:10) - Addressing the challenges of audience and revenue growth for BIPOC media

(18:28) - URL Media’s structure

(22:05) - We're not just covering a community. We are the community.

(27:09) - How notions of objectivity in mainstream media creates distance and alienation

(29:55) - How mainstream newsrooms can work with ethnic newsrooms in non-extractive ways

(35:01) - Philanthropy, ethnic media and systematic disenfranchisement

• URL  Media: web, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X

• Sara Lomax: LinkedIn, Twitter/X

• S. Mitra Kalita: LinkedIn, Twitter/X

• Mentioned:

• WURD Radio 

• Epicenter-NYC

• Charter

• The Philadelphia Inquirer

• Media Transformation Challenge program 

• TBN24

• The Haitian Times

• Garry Pierre-Pierre

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun). 

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 working in the field), brings a unique and insightful perspective to our conversation. I was particularly excited to step back and geek out a little to apply business theory to the challenges and opportunities in local news.

We cover a range of topics, from the importance of community weeklies and the criteria used to select titles for investment, to the progress of ongoing initiatives and finding the right balance between local ownership and the efficiencies of larger news chains. We also discuss the relationship between mission and profit in the news industry, and what wild success for local news could look like five years down the line. By incorporating business concepts such as jobs to be done, localism, and Clayton Christensen’s disruptive innovation theory, we offer a fresh lens through which to view the future of local journalism.

Episode chapters:

(02:32) - The National Trust’s mission and why legacy news might be worth preserving

(07:12) - The importance of community weeklies

(11:41) - Evaluating titles for investment

(14:38) - How current projects are doing

(17:01) - Local involvement/ownership and benefiting from chain-like scale

(22:09) - Other lessons learned

(23:28) - The mission/profit relationship

(28:08) - What does wild success look like in five years?

(29:49) - Business theory applied to local news: business models

(33:18) - Business theory applied to local news: jobs to be done and localism

(37:54) - Business theory applied to local news: Clayton Chrstensen’s disruptive innovation theory

(44:21) - Business theory applied to local news: false rigor

(47:37) - Rapid-fire questions

• National Trust for Local News: web, LinkedIn, Instagram, Medium, Twitter/X

• Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro: LinkedIn, Twitter/X

• Mentioned:

• Colorado Community Media

• Maine Trust for Local News

• CUNY Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism’s Executive Education Program in News Innovation and Leadership

• Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University

• Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy 

• Membership Puzzle Project’s Guide to Membership

• Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society

• Harvard Business School

• Democracy Fund 

• KERA

• Denton Record-Chronicle

• Press Forward

• LNM episode with Sarahbeth Berman of AJP

• Sue Cross of INN

• Invent and Wander: The Collected Writings of Jeff Bezos, With an Introduction by Walter Isaacson

• Elizabeth's dissertation

• Jobs to Be Done

• Stratechery by Ben Thompson

• Clayton Christensen’s Disruptive Innovation

• Subtext

• Alabama Media Group

• Golden Transcript (and its examination of its contribution to systemic racism)

• Superhuman email client

• Recommendations:

• Caleb's Crossing

• Schmigadoon!

• Taylor Swift

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News),  Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).

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 about how everyday people are shaping democracy. It’s hosted by Jenna Spinelle, who is also a journalism instructor at Penn State and produced the News Guest podcast for LION Publishers. In this episode, she discusses the relevance of civic information with Mike Rispoli of Free Press, and then delves into how that can be put into practice with Richard Young, founder of CivicLex, a non-profit that is bridging the gap between news and news consumers in Kentucky.

I encourage you to follow When the People Decide in your favorite podcast app and visit the website at thepeopledecide.show.

Check back next episode for my interview with Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro of the National Trust for Local News.

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Sarabeth Berman, Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg, Lyndsay C. Green (The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser, Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt, Dan Grech, Zack Richner, Tracie Powell, Dan Oshinsky, Linda Shapley (What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton, Charity Huff, Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry, Steve Waldman, Maritza Félix, Michael Bolden, Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins, Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson, Jennifer Brandel, Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh.

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 the evolving role of AI technologies in shaping the future of news.

Episode chapters:

(02:46) - The mission of the American Journalism Project

(06:48) - Coming from outside of journalism with a sense of what’s possible

(16:52) - Why local news matters to communities

(23:34) - AJP’s partnership with OpenAI and AI’s implications for journalism

(34:01) - AJP’s programs for newsrooms

(41:56) - Philanthropy and building strong business teams and practices

(47:13) - Supporting ethnic media and collaborating across the ecosystem

(55:21) - Diversifying newsroom revenue

(58:08) - Rapid-fire questions

• American Journalism Project: web, Facebook, Instagram, Medium, Twitter/X

• Sarabeth Berman: LinkedIn, Twitter/X

• Mentioned:

• Mississippi Today

• VTDigger

• Capital B

• Signal Ohio

• Houston Landing

• Indiana Local News Initiative

• Press Forward

• Houston Endowment

• Enlace Latino NC

• Outlier Media

• Recommendations:

• New York Times audio app

• Smartless podcast

• Local news newsletters

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg, Lyndsay C. Green (The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser, Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt, Dan Grech, Zack Richner, Tracie Powell, Dan Oshinsky, Linda Shapley (What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton, Charity Huff, Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry, Steve Waldman, Maritza Félix, Michael Bolden, Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins, Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson, Jennifer Brandel, Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh.

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.