As local news faces one of its most challenging eras, a new Press Forward–commissioned report from Commoner — founded by journalists Darryl Holliday and Anika Anand — argues that the future depends less on tax structures and more on posture: journalism done with communities, not apart from them. “This Is Local News Now” reframes local information as an ecosystem of “information stewards” — from reporters and librarians to civic groups and trusted creators — with newsrooms anchoring verification and credibility. The goal is urgent and pragmatic: develop shared ways to assess information needs, measure impact, expand training and build policy fluency so journalists, funders and civic partners can work as collaborators, not silos.

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