Local news is disappearing, and too many communities no longer get reliable coverage of school boards, town halls, public safety, or local government. Since COVID, the decline of newspapers and local stations has accelerated, and recent federal funding reductions have put even more outlets at risk. That means fewer reporters holding local leaders accountable and less information for people who need it most.

I will work to restore public media funding, create federal grants to support local newsrooms, and offer tax incentives that help independent and community-based outlets survive. I will also push to protect press freedom, expand access to public records, and stop corporate consolidation that wipes out local coverage. Every community deserves a strong, independent local press that tells the stories that matter most.