Press Forward invests $22.7 million in local news infrastructure to meet the urgent challenges newsrooms face

Press Forward invests $22.7 million in local news infrastructure to meet the urgent challenges newsrooms face

By Dale R. Anglin and Christina Shih

When you read the coverage of an important local news story, such as the Texas floods or the protests in Los Angeles, you rarely think about what made that reporting possible. That’s because the infrastructure of news is largely invisible, happening behind the scenes and unknown to news consumers. Yet, this infrastructure is vital for local newsrooms to tell timely ... Read More

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Luisa Ortiz Pérez, founder of Vita Activa. Photo by Alberto Mendoza

How Press Forward chose its 22 recipients in the Open Call on Infrastructure

By Press Forward Staff

One of our goals at Press Forward is to grow the field of journalism philanthropy. But to make real progress, local news leaders and funders need a better understanding of each other’s perspectives and needs. That’s why, when we designed the review process for our Open Call on Infrastructure, we made sure it reflected this principle, building bridges between those ... Read More

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Santa Cruz Local hosted community listening sessions to understand residents' priorities for the November 2024 election. Credit: Marcello Hutchinson-Trujillo/ Santa Cruz Local

Fast Company names Press Forward to Most Innovative Companies of the Year list

By Dale Anglin

Today, Fast Company named Press Forward to its list of the Most Innovative Companies of 2025 (not-for-profit category) for our ground-up approach to supporting 21st-century local news nationwide. We’re thrilled this honor helps us highlight the vital role of reliable local news in strengthening communities across the U.S. Particularly in today’s world, where we are quick to disagree, local news … Read More

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Graham Watson-Ringo

Local news veteran Graham Watson-Ringo joins Press Forward

Graham Watson-Ringo landed her first journalism job at 16, started her career as a sports reporter and later became managing editor of the San Antonio Report, when Knight Foundation named her one of the 14 local news leaders who are a shining example to the field. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Growth at News Revenue Hub, where … Read More

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The New Jersey State House in Trenton. Photo via Wikipedia user lowlova

How Public Policy, Led by the States, Moves the Needle for Local News

By Mark Glaser

Note: This piece is part of a series on how Press Forward’s funder coalition is investing according to the initiative’s four investment priorities: local news sustainability, equity, infrastructure and public policy. Our first piece covered infrastructure, and this one puts the spotlight on public policy and the growing role it plays in supporting local news. It’s a strange notion for … Read More

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Teen journalism students and their instructors visiting county government office as part of the Young Voices Media Project with Voices of Monterey Bay co-founder Claudia Meléndez Salinas, center. Photo by Carlos René Castro.

Voices of Monterey Bay amplifies stories of immigrants

This post is part of a series on the recipients of Press Forward’s Open Call on Closing Local Coverage Gaps. Read the series here. After the death of Aracely Zavala was declared an accident by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Voices of Monterey Bay Reporter Royal Calkins suspected foul play.  Caulkins spent months investigating the case – discovering that the … Read More

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Uvalde Leader-News Publisher and Owner Craig Garnett

School shooting was turning point for Uvalde news outlet

This post is part of a series on the recipients of Press Forward’s Open Call on Closing Local Coverage Gaps. Read the series here. The 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas was a devastating blow to the community, and also a turning point for the Uvalde Leader-News. Publisher & Owner Craig Garnett, a veteran journalist who has … Read More

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Shia Blackcloud, right, is a producer and anchor for Good Morning Indian Country.

Native-student-led newcast hopes to grow ranks of Indigenous reporters

This post is part of a series on the recipients of Press Forward’s Open Call on Closing Local Coverage Gaps. Read the series here. On Election Night, student Shia Blackcloud made her way to the studio at the University of Kansas to provide live coverage of local and national races. As a producer and anchor for Good Morning Indian Country, … Read More

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Macollvie Neel, Special Projects Editor; Vania André, Editor in Chief; Garry Pierre-Pierre, Publisher; Cherrell Angervil, Brand and Audience Engagement Director pictured at Banboch Kreyol, a community festival organized by The Haitian Times.

The Haitian Times increases coverage in the Midwest

This post is part of a series on the recipients of Press Forward’s Open Call on Closing Local Coverage Gaps. Read the series here. In the midst of the already busy 2024 election season, The Haitian Times was thrust into the national spotlight following its coverage of false rumors about Haitians eating dogs in Springfield, Ohio—starting a challenging moment for the 25-year-old publication. An … Read More

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New Mexico In Depth/ProPublica reporter Bryant Furlow answers audience questions during a school discipline discussion on April 1, 2023 in Gallup, NM. Credit: Tara Armijo-Prewitt.

New Mexico in Depth boosts accountability reporting

This post is part of a series on the recipients of Press Forward’s Open Call on Closing Local Coverage Gaps. Read the series here. When Trip Jennings moved to New Mexico in 2005 to cover then-Governor Bill Richardson, the State House press room was a bustling place that often exceeded the maximum number of reporters allowed. “Now it’s like a … Read More

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