Medill Local News Initiative

69% of surveyed Chicago-area local news consumers already support local journalism financially. 88% say they use local news to be better citizens.

New research from Press Forward Chicago and Medill's Local News Accelerator offers a detailed look at who local news reaches—and what audiences value most.

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Insights on Chicago’s Local Media Consumers This text was adapted from our report on Chicago’s Local Media Consumers. Download a full PDF version of the report.

NPR CEO Katherine Maher discusses NPR’s storytelling secrets and why local public media remains essential civic infrastructure. Listen/Watch⬇️

NPR CEO Katherine Maher Discusses Recent Restructuring and Adapting to Federal Defunding In the fourth episode of the State of Local News Podcast, host Tim Franklin—Professor, John M. Mutz Chair in Local News, and founding director of the Medill Local News Initiative—speaks with Katherine Maher, President and CEO of NPR.

Local Businesses LOVE Sponsoring Youth Sports on Local News! Find the full episode here:

Chuck Todd on rebuilding trust through local news In the third episode of the State of Local News Podcast, host Tim Franklin—Professor, John M. Mutz Chair in Local News, and founding director of the Medill Local News Initiative—speaks with veteran journalist and podcaster Chuck Todd.

The fight to save the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette raises a bigger question: what does it actually mean to save local news? New reporting from the Local News Initiative explores the future of legacy newspapers and civic information.

Saving Legacy Newspapers Stewart Bainum Jr. just committed $30 million over five years to prevent the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from shutting down.