Good morning all, it’s Thursday December 18 and our final Hub newsletter of 2025. We’ve had quite a year, from responding to the local impact of executive orders following Trump’s inauguration and the mass firings of federal workers, to the targeting of immigrants, public media and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 

Many of you followed the six-month-long legal battle in the NC Supreme Court Race, creating the “Griffin List” and even knocking on voters’ doors to help 60,000+ people understand if their votes were under scrutiny. You created comprehensive voter guides for the municipal election and covered the record number of Latino candidates running for office and winning their races. A few weeks later, you swiftly responded to the arrival of Border Patrol in North Carolina, providing live updates, know your rights explainers, community responses , and the impact on families, kids and local businesses. 

Outside of breaking news, you produced solutions-based stories too: state programs addressing mental health for youth and people who are incarcerated; communities addressing the impacts of climate change in NC; and the collaborative efforts in Western NC to rebuild, restore forests, and expand resources and outreach for Spanish-speaking community members. 

We also saw changes in the NC news and information ecosystem, celebrating the work of Triad City Beat as they ended a decade+ run and cheering on new initiatives, like Down from DC, Charlotte Journalism Collaborative's Shifting Ground, Eastbound and Nuevo South. 

And, we had a big transformation ourselves: launching NC Local as a nonprofit in February with our new mission of helping people understand statewide issues in all 100 counties across the state, while strengthening our ecosystem by working collaboratively with partners and community groups. We collaborated with news and community organizations on a WNC Housing Guide, community listening, higher education coverage and the Heart of the Mountains Helene anniversary event. We began producing accessible content about state policy issues; built a Food Resource Directory and mobilized editorial resources to help newsrooms cover Border Patrol in NC. We’ve been preparing for the launch of two new initiatives: The Trailhead and Alamance Fabric (first newsletter out today!) and hired Ecosystem Ambassadors to help us do more community listening across the state. And, we continue to provide perspectives, connections and opportunities for our ecosystem through the Hub newsletter and Resource Directory.

To capture a little more from this year, today we’re closing this impactful year with some reflections from our growing team about what they’ve learned, the stories that have stayed with them, resources that made their work a bit easier and sparks of inspiration that you might benefit from too.

Before we jump in, a heartfelt thank you to all of you and the work you do to inform your audiences, connect people in your community, support your teams and amplify the work throughout our news and information ecosystem. Together, we will keep taking steps to meet this moment and the ones we'll meet in 2026. 

Glad you're here. Let's get started. 

What 2025 taught us about partnerships, growth and the work ahead

The end of each year brings lots of lists, retrospectives and “best of” compilations. While some of these feel formulaic, I do enjoy the ones by curated by local news organizations (like the year-end edition of  Mountain Xpress) and reflective conversations by NC journalists (like this episode of Due South) as it gives us a chance to take in everything that’s happened, the things we accomplished and the work we're planning for in 2026. For our final Hub newsletter of the year, I asked our growing team to pick from a series of prompts to capture what they’ve learned, what stories stayed with them and what will propel them in the new year. Each subhead responds to the question: If you had to write a headline summarizing 2025, what would it be? (A deceptively hard question to answer!)

What are you most proud of and why?

I am most proud of the team we’ve built for NC Local. A year ago, I was a team of one who was about to embark on a year of building a statewide nonprofit news organization in a model that had never existed before; now we are a thriving crew of 8 full-time staff, a few part-time contractors and freelancers. Together, we’re setting off on an effort to connect people in all 100 counties to the state—and to each other.

What did 2025 teach you about community news and information needs?

2025 taught me this: NC needs more journalism, more journalists, and more accessible formats. We have dedicated newsrooms all across our state, but they need more resources. Fortunately, North Carolina has one of the most collaborative news ecosystems in the country, thanks to the work we've done through our predecessor, the NC Local News Workshop, and because of other collaborative efforts like Charlotte Journalism Collaborative, partnerships between newsrooms, and several other collaborations that have existed before. 

Together, we'll lean on partnership to ensure that all news needs are met across the state. NC Local is built on partnership, and we saw in 2025 just how important it is to work together. Our live storytelling event that marked the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene brought together about a dozen news and community groups to produce journalism on stage about the anniversary. News partners remarked how much they valued NC Local leading the way and bringing them together. That taught me that though we're all focused on our own goals and communities, we can and should join forces more often to provide a deeper service to our state.

What story by a fellow NC journalist has stayed with you this year and why?

One story that stays with me is the video interview by The Assembly’s Ren Larson of John Arndt, a Swannanoa resident who rescued his neighbors from flood waters in Helene. (Full disclosure: it was part of a collaboration between NC Local and The Assembly for the Heart of the Mountains event.)

I think about it even now because we report a lot on recovery and resilience, but we don’t often think about the effects on individuals after events like the storm.

John talked about how the neighborhood came together in the weeks after the storm, gathering around a bonfire and helping each other get supplies. One part that really stuck with me was how he said he misses the community feeling and togetherness they had after the storm. I think that was a similar experience for a lot of people in the Asheville area late last year. 

He also had a good reminder: “We’re mortal. It is just a reminder that things don’t last and we don’t last,” he said. “And to appreciate every day, every hour, every breath.”

What issues didn’t get enough attention in 2025 that should be prioritized in 2026?

It isn’t specific to 2025, but I have long believed we don’t prioritize coverage of the judiciary enough. This year, we saw how much influence courts can have on the policies that affect our day-to-day lives. We spill a lot of ink on the executive and legislative branches, but we are missing out on some really important news in the judiciary. Next year is a prime opportunity to do more reporting on the court system and the effects of those decisions on people’s lives. 

What resources or tools helped you this year that would help others in the ecosystem?

Upstate is a great tool I learned about this year when I joined NC Local. It is a bill tracker for the NC General Assembly with many cool features. I especially like the ability to send alerts about specific policy measures. And their training is fantastic (s/o their Head of Product Ricky!)  I know Upstate is going to be a big asset in our work in 2026. (Note: The NC Press Association has offered Upstate discounts for members.)

What story by a fellow NC journalist has stayed with you this year and why?
My former N&O colleague Korie Dean (now at The Assembly) wrote about the trickle-down effect of the Trump administration's suppression of diversity, equity and inclusion in higher ed, and what individual universities like ECU and NC State were doing to comply with the UNC System's new DEI restrictions. It's a strong accountability piece that really helps understand the politics of our state's public university system, the federal funding on the line for these institutions, and, in turn, the importance of higher education reporting in our state.

As we wrap the year up with some down time, do you have any local book, music or podcast recommendations?
I might be biased as its former producer, but I invite everyone to listen to the N&O's Under the Dome podcast. There's always so much going on in North Carolina politics. Let Dawn Vaughan and the rest of the N&O politics team help you take the guesswork out of staying in the know about #ncpol in under 20 minutes.

What’s on your wish list for 2026 when it comes to local news and information?
More philanthropic investments (and maybe even legislation?) to help sustain North Carolina's news ecosystem, especially in news deserts in our state.

What are you most proud of from this past year & why? 

It’s been a year of emotional highs and lows. I am extremely proud of my former team at Blue Ridge Public Radio for receiving first place  recognition for Overall Excellence at  the Edward R. Murrow Awards and Best in Show for the Green Eyeshade Award from the Society of Professional Journalists  as a staff for our coverage of Hurricane Helene. However, there are still so many people working to recover across the region so these awards often feel bittersweet. I hope local journalism can continue to shine a light on the needs in our area. 

What resources or tools helped you this year that would help others in the ecosystem? 
Google’s free journalist tool Pinpoint has really been a help for free transcription for the last few years. I love that it’s integrated with Google Drive and is really one of the main ways that I use AI. I have finally gotten to learn Data Wrapper and it has made it so easy to make interactive charts, maps and graphics. 

As we wrap the year up with some down time, do you have any local book, music or podcast recommendations? 

Stay up to date on state politics with politics expert Dr. Chris Cooper’s substack. Subscribe to your local newspaper for endless entertainment - the Franklin Press’ rants and raves will give you lots to talk beyond the important news stories. I’m currently reading Cipher: Decoding My Ancestor’s Scandalous Secret Diaries by Jeremy Jones.

What resources or tools helped you this year that would help others in the ecosystem?

It’s a little nerdy but NC State Lines! I started watching this PBS broadcast when I moved to Lee County in 2024, and it’s become my touchstone for statehouse and political news. I catch it on YouTube and have added it to my weekly news diet.

Also, the NC Rural Center! Dalton Bailey, the research and data manager there,  came through when I was reporting on changes to the state’s SNAP program for NC Local, both before and during the government shutdown. They have resources for people in need, from food and agricultural assistance to the organizations working to support them.

What’s on your wish list for 2026 when it comes to local news and information?

Every county has its own unique character, but many are facing similar challenges: affordability, rapid urbanization, and disappearing federal support. With the state’s primary in March and a Senate seat up for grabs in November, I’d love to see North Carolinians get more localized coverage of their elected officials.

As we wrap the year up with some down time, do you have any local book, music or podcast recommendations?

While it’s not local, I’m excited to catch up on my friend’s podcast, There Are No Girls on the Internet. But I’m most excited to check out some local spots in the Sandhills and Piedmont region with visiting family—bookstores, cider, and bowling are all on the list!

What story by a fellow NC journalist has stayed with you this year and why?

I often think back to the powerful messages shared in a video documenting John Arndt, a Swannanoa resident who rescued families using his kayak during Hurricane Helene. It was an inspirational story of how people show up, care and support one another, and it is a poignant reminder of everyone’s humanity. It was beautifully done storytelling, bringing the toughest of days together with a sense of hope and purpose, and showcasing the power of collaborative journalism.

What issues didn’t get enough attention in 2025 that should be prioritized in 2026?

Economic inequality. The more I live and learn, the more I believe that how people respond to inequality is at the root of most societal challenges. I wish more attention could be put on exploring its causes and paths to improvement.

As we wrap the year up with some down time, do you have any local book, music or podcast recommendations?

Related to my earlier comment, I really enjoyed the book, Good Reasonable People, by a UNC professor Keith Payne. It has influenced so much of how I think recently. Also, I like Trevor Noah’s podcast, What Now?, as he and his team masterfully navigate tough or interesting issues with a light-hearted approach and banter that calms and directs my nervous system while pushing my thinking and understanding of issues.

Have any resources, lessons learned, or local stories you'd like to share? Drop me a note at catherine@nclocal.org. And thanks to all of our team members who contributed to our final edition!

Opportunities from NC Local

Deadlines approaching for Summit session pitches & early bird ticket pricing

The North Carolina Justice Reporting Fellowship

The Law and Justice Journalism Project (LJJP), in partnership with NC Local, is offering a year-long fellowship program for journalists reporting on the justice system. Each Fellow will pursue one in-depth project to be developed and reported with the assistance of an experienced mentor.

Applications are open for both freelancers and staff reporters. Deadline is January 15th. Find all the details here about how to apply.

 Available for republication 

✅ NC Local: How do voting locations get set? 

✅ NC Local: Still afloat: NC ferry system gets boost but challenges remain

From our partner network: 

✅ NC Health News: Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse at NC youth psychiatric facility

✅ BPR/Grist: Environmental advocates and residents continue to confront Forest Service about Helene recovery concerns

✅ Carolina Public Press: Do-over. Two NC towns must redo ’25 elections in March ’26

📰 News about the news 📰

Support announced for NC public media stations

WRVS in Elizabeth City, which lost about 70% of its revenue after Congress voted to defund public media, is getting a grant from the Public Media Bridge Fund to help continue operations. “With this initial round of funding, our goal was to present each grantee with a foothold to stabilize their infrastructure and continue their vital services,” said Tim Isgitt, CEO of Public Media Company. The initiative distributed about $26 million to 74 public media organizations.

Press Forward also announced $2.7 million in new grants to seven of its local chapters, including North Carolina’s, to help support public media stations. The funding will go toward working with stations on long-term sustainability like operational changes that reduce costs and generate new revenue.

"The North Carolina Local News Lab Fund is excited to participate in Press Forward's Public Media Resilience initiative, which includes a significant grant to help transform public media in North Carolina," said Sam Spencer, Associate Director of Funder Partnerships. "This investment will enable the Fund to increase our funding to public news sources that serve diverse audiences and geographies while catalyzing sustained investment in bold, place-based, station-led solutions that grow public media and strengthen original, local news service over the next two years."

Bulletin Board

Jobs

📌 Breaking News Reporter, The News & Observer, Raleigh 

📌 Legislative and Lobbying Reporter, The News & Observer, Raleigh 

📌 Higher Education Reporter, The News & Observer, Raleigh 💰

📌 Freelance Reporter, PBS Charlotte

📌 Development Director, Tiny News Collective (Remote) 💰

📌 CEO, Word In Black (Remote) 💰

📌 Growth and Community Editor, Healthbeat/Civic News Company (Remote) 💰

📌 National Editor, States Newsroom (Remote) 💰

Opportunities

🌱 2026-2027 Nieman Fellowship: This fellowship offers mid‑career journalists the chance to spend a year at Harvard University studying independently, honing leadership in journalism, and expanding their networks. Fellows receive a stipend of $85,000 paid over a nine-month period to cover living costs, some financial support for child care and health insurance. Application deadline: January 31, 2026.

🌱 2026-2027 Knight-Wallace Fellowships: This eight-month-long fellowship is also aimed at mid-career journalists to provide an opportunity to step away from daily deadlines to study, research and develop innovative solutions to the challenges in journalism while on campus of the University of Michigan. Fellows receive a stipend of about $85,000, plus relocation support, full tuition and health insurance coverage. Application deadline: February 1, 2026.

🌱 National Press Club Student Scholarships: Six scholarships are available providing stipends of $5,000 (some renewable) to help high school & college students defray the costs of tuition and other expenses. Programs include the Scholarship for Journalism Diversity Honoring Julie Schoo and the The Wes Vernon Broadcast Scholarship, which is open to students at any stage of their career and prioritizes applicants from community colleges. Application deadline: March 1, 2026.

That's it for this week, thank you for reading. Closing the year grateful for you and all you do to support the North Carolina local news and information ecosystem.  See you back here in 2026! —Catherine