For many, Hawai‘i conjures visions of paradise — but for local journalists, it’s become a harder place to report from. Shrinking ad dollars, vanishing newsrooms and the high cost of living have left communities like Maui increasingly underserved. In response, a group of veteran journalists and media leaders launched the Hawai‘i Journalism Initiative to bring back in-depth, local reporting where it’s needed most. With strong partnerships and deep community roots, HJI is already making waves across Maui County — one story at a time. more

Local news publishers are fighting for new revenue — but many are missing one of the fastest-growing ad markets happening right under their noses. Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising surged to $9.1 billion in 2024, with double-digit growth projected for years to come. Yet despite this boom, few media executives even recognize DOOH as a viable opportunity. The question isn’t whether this market is real — it’s whether you’re in it, or watching it pass you by. more

City Bureau is quietly transforming how local government is covered — by paying thousands of everyday people to attend public meetings and take detailed notes. Since 2016, its Documenters program has trained over 4,000 participants across 24 communities, helping fill the gaps left by shrinking newsrooms. The idea is simple: more eyes and ears on public bodies mean more accountability and more stories. But with expansion comes scale — and now the question is how to keep up with the volume of civic data pouring in. more

Connoisseur Media CEO Jeffrey Warshaw isn’t chasing trends—he’s doubling down on what works: local content, real relationships, and a service-first sales strategy. In a no-nonsense conversation, Warshaw explains why legacy media still has power when it’s community-rooted and advertiser-driven. With digital and radio sales integrated under one roof, he’s building not just reach, but results. “Local, baby,” is still his mantra—and it’s paying off. If you’re in media and missing this mindset, you’re leaving money (and trust) on the table more

CherryRoad Media didn’t just enter the local news business—it charged in with a mission. Led by Jeremy Gulban and Lee Bachlet, the team has built a network of 93 newspapers across 18 states in less than five years, fueled by a rare mix of tech savvy, journalistic passion, and strategic reinvention. From reclaiming printing operations to centralizing business functions and empowering editors like Kim Fleeting and Megan Pullyard, CherryRoad is proving there’s still a future for small-town journalism. Their story is one of bold moves, hard lessons, and an unwavering belief that local news matters. more

When The New York Post branded her school the “School of Glock,” high school senior Fredlove Deshommes knew there was more to the story — and she wasn’t about to let someone else write it. Armed with a microphone instead of a headline bias, she set out to reclaim her school’s narrative through a youth podcasting program that’s changing journalism from the inside out. Across New York City, students like Fredlove are stepping behind the mic — and into the byline — thanks to The Bell and the NYC Youth Journalism Coalition. It’s not just about telling stories; it’s about rewriting who gets to tell them. more

Imtiaz Patel has spent two decades in the news business — half of them focused on local journalism — leading everything from industry giants like Gannett to start-ups like The Baltimore Banner, where he served as founding CEO and publisher. While he’s made his share of tough cost-cutting decisions, Patel argues that the real crisis in local news isn’t cost — it’s revenue. more

The Pulitzer Prizes are journalism’s highest honor — and this year’s winners didn’t disappoint. From historic breaking news moments to deeply personal investigations, the 2025 awards recognize the boldest, bravest and most resonant journalism of our time. E&P takes a closer look at the stories, newsrooms and standout individuals behind the headlines — including a few you may not have heard enough about. Here’s what made this year’s winners unforgettable. more

On Fox News, Trump’s military parade coverage played more like a holiday special than hard news—tanks, paratroopers, and chants of “U.S.A.” wrapped in a red, white, and blue media hug. more

Voice of America told about 75 employees to come back to work immediately Friday amid escalating military action between Iran and Israel. Most of the staffers restored from months-long … more

Public media spent decades perfecting the donor funnel — but somewhere along the way, we started running it on autopilot. As over-the-air audiences shrink and digital-first competitors thrive, our old pledge-driven playbook is showing its age. Too many stations are still optimizing DVD premiums while ignoring digital engagement entirely. If we want small-dollar giving to survive, it’s time to stop tweaking pledge scripts and start rebuilding the funnel from the top down. more

When a suburban newspaper starts thinking like a startup, big things happen. At Current Publishing in suburban Indianapolis, innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s fueling real growth, younger audiences, and serious digital revenue. From influencer-driven reels to a text-based edition with 65% engagement, President/ Publisher Ben Weir is proving hyperlocal doesn’t mean old-school. Here’s how one free weekly is rewriting the playbook for local news success. more

As the National Association of Black Journalists prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary this December, the organization stands as a powerful testament to the legacy of its founders and the resilience of generations of Black journalists who followed in their footsteps. Its mission has always been to increase Black representation in media and to hold newsrooms accountable for how they report on Black communities. more

Since arriving at the Houston Chronicle in 2023, Editor-in-Chief Kelly Ann Scott has doubled the size of the newsroom’s investigative team and fueled a transformation rooted in public service, collaboration, and impact. Under her leadership, the Chronicle has embraced a mission-driven model of journalism — one that not only breaks stories but drives legislative change, wins awards, and builds trust with the community. “We want to be essential,” Scott said. “Our impact and investigative work needs to be essential.” more

Here’s a warning for journalists seduced by shiny new AI toys: don’t be fooled. E&P columnist and Philadelphia Inquirer digital editor Rob Tornoe pulls no punches as he lays out how AI, far from being the future of news, may actually be accelerating its decline. From Google gutting referral traffic to cartoonists getting ripped off by bots, the evidence is piling up. Tornoe’s take? “AI is a parlor trick — and we’re falling for it.” more

Immigration and deportation stories are grand in scope. They are of national and international interest but also keenly hyperlocal. They are stories about individuals, families, local communities and businesses as much as about policy, government and nations. It’s also a beat that’s becoming more challenging in myriad ways, including sourcing and protecting those sources. more

One of the most egregious policies we’re facing today is the lack of due process in our immigration system. That’s one of the rationales behind this month’s feature, “Reporting on Immigration and Deportations.” Gretchen Peck’s story explores the experience of two reporters — chosen because of their extensive background and experience with immigration, deportation and U.S. policies around both. more

Adweek, a US-based advertising trade publication, was at a critical point in its illustrious history. Despite its early success in scaling subscriptions, there was a need to accelerate this growth. How could they better serve their audience in the face of increased competition and changing consumer habits? Adweek's new CEO, Juliette Morris, identified this opportunity and wanted to transform Adweek into a digital-first membership business to drive long-term, sustainable growth. more

Four years ago, Max Kabat left Manhattan to reinvent local journalism in the remote West Texas town of Marfa. He didn’t just take over a newspaper—he built a café, bar, event space, and community hub to fund it. Now, that bold experiment is not only thriving but inspiring others to rethink what local media can be. We caught up with Kabat to find out how it’s working, what’s next, and what lessons other publishers can take from the journey. more

The backbone of every successful newspaper isn’t just great journalism — it’s great operations. That’s why Editor & Publisher Magazine (E&P) is proud to announce that American Newspaper Solutions (ANS) and CarrierTrack Technologies (CTT) are stepping up as presenting sponsors of the 2025 Operations All-Star Awards. This prestigious annual honor celebrates the unsung heroes behind the scenes — those who ensure each issue is printed, delivered and managed with precision and excellence. With ANS and CTT’s support, the spotlight will shine even brighter on the vital role operations professionals play in keeping the industry moving forward. more