Greetings all, it’s Wednesday January 21. Spend some time on any local meteorologist's social platforms this week, and you'll see endless questions about this week's weather event (which Ethan Clark breaks down in this Weather 101). And while we're waiting to see what mix of snow, ice and rain might come to our region, many are asking “How do I prepare?” 

One thoughtful response I spotted came from The Davis County Store & Cafe in Old Fort. Owner Amy Davis’s FB post offered a dozen quick tips, including some specific to this rural community (having a plan for your animals), a reminder to help others or ask for help if needed, how to keep your family and others safe, and why you don’t need to raid the grocery store. Amy uses plain language and a bit of humor to get the points across. It's approachable, sincere and very practical. Community members chimed in with a few additional tips and gratitude. The post was shared 70+ times. 

Here at NC Local we think a lot about the changing ways people get news and information and the growing role of trusted messengers like The Davis County Store. They supported the community with meals, supples and temporary housing after Helene; they provided free meals for kids during the SNAP shutdown; and they’re working on an “I love Old Fort” campaign and other ways to boost all the small businesses in the area. (And of course they’re known for tasty baked goods, cheesy breakfast sandwiches and the regional specialty, livermush.)

In communities across our state, this kind of everyday information sharing is a vital part of how people understand and respond to issues that directly affect them. Who are the under-the-radar trusted messengers in your community? What kinds of information are they providing? And how are you working with them?

Send me a note by hitting reply to this newsletter or reach out at catherine@nclocal.org. We’ll keep highlighting examples like this and exploring what journalists can learn from trusted messengers outside the newsroom.

Here’s what we have lined up for you today:

• “The first chapter of our next great story” — How a passionate group of former staff is relaunching the weekly Encore, with a new model and mission.
  
  

• After building and leading the NC News Lab Fund, Director Lizzy Hazeltine announces a new chapter.
  
  

• And, how has the shutdown of DEIB programs affected your local universities? Join Education Writers Association for resources and story ideas on the DEI landscape in higher education.

Glad you’re here, let’s get started.

The return of Encore

Community members band together to relaunch former Cape Fear weekly

Archival editions of Encore at a "Revival" event last Spring. (Photo: Tom Dorgan)

Back in 2011, Shannon Rae Gentry had just moved to Wilmington. The Surry County native was finishing an MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design after spending time abroad for the Peace Corps. She already had a psychology degree, but found herself drawn to storytelling. Settling in Wilmington, Gentry looked for a place she could do that and got an internship with the alternative weekly, Encore. 

“You talk to folks who are involved with Encore, so many of them started as interns. That's how they get you,” said Gentry. “You fall in love with it. You just fall in love with being involved, you're just so heavily engaged and involved in your local community and arts and cultural scenes.

and everything beyond.”

Gentry kept writing stories about the community and eventually moved into a part-time assistant editor role. The pay wasn’t great and there weren’t benefits, but the work was meaningful and the team was tight-knit.

“I remember taking my daughter as a baby, everyday, for a very long time before we got childcare. Just holding her and breastfeeding her while I was writing or editing,” said Gentry.

Encore, founded in 1985 by Nixie Nunnelee, printed about 10,000 copies a week and was a connector to the region’s artists, local theater, small businesses and nonprofits. But when COVID hit, the 35-year-old publication struggled, like many print publications, with the loss of ad revenue. With funds diminishing, Encore’s leadership first decided to pause the print edition. In November 2020, when the balance sheet showed they couldn’t pay staff, they quietly shut down. 

“It kind of just faded into the background, because we all felt like we can't make a big deal out of this because so many businesses were closing. Everyone was hurting so deeply,” said Gentry. “And that's very Encore, through and through. Encore, as a personality, cares more than anything about the community and the small businesses and the artists and the creatives first, so it definitely didn't feel right to make a to-do of it.”

Gentry eventually found full-time work doing technical writing. But a few years ago, hanging out with Encore’s former publisher, she shared she was thinking about starting another alternative publication. 

“And my friend, the former publisher, was just like, ‘Why not just bring back Encore?’ And I was like, I didn't know I could do that. And he said, you absolutely can,” recalled Gentry.

Gentry bought the name rights and teamed up with longtime nonprofit leader Molly Murphy to plot their next steps. They started with community listening and focus groups to get input on what the community would want in Encore 2.0. They heard there was still a desire for local arts, culture and community journalism. But they could also play a role in media literacy and civic engagement.

“There's just something about engaging people in topics without the fodder of online,” said Gentry. “Everybody is craving these deeper conversations and connections with their community outside of the noise, the constant noise.” 

Over the last year, the relaunch team has been developing the new Encore very much in public view. Gentry has been chronicling the process through a newsletter Encore’s Next Chapter. They spent the summer and fall partnering on community events, including Songs of Peace, Stone Soup Zine Fest and a panel discussion at UNCW on AI. The leadership team, which also includes Tre Ricanek, Cathy Street, Greyson Davis and Katie Jones, secured fiscal sponsorship with the Wilmington Arts Council as they wait for their nonprofit determination letter from the IRS.

They’ve also been ramping up publishing on their site, with pieces ranging from the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra’s new season and local author Rashmi Kumar new children's book 'I Found My Piece’ to visual stories about the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival and Port City Jerry Day. And following the deadly Southport shooting at American Fish Company, Encore produced an audio interview with local drummer JJ Street who was performing at the bar when the chaos unfolded. 

“We wanted to showcase the real human impact that these events have on people,” said Gentry. “And even if you are lucky enough to survive it, what does that mean? What does that mean in the coming weeks? How does that define your community for those weeks, or months or years to come?”

While Encore isn’t a breaking news type of organization, Gentry says it is an important space for reflection, nuance and context for big issues. Encore will also be engaging the community around environmental topics. With partners Cape Fear River Watch, they recently were awarded a $15,000 civic science grant from the Center for Cooperative Media. They’re working on a project called “Tides of Change,” to translate local climate and flooding data into community-centered stories, events and participatory journalism.

And this month, they’re preparing for another milestone: the return of Encore’s print edition. Gentry says they’re starting with 20,000 quarterly editions as they continue to develop their revenue plan, raise funds and add paid staff. And they’ll continue partnerships and engagement to involve and reach new audiences.

“We’re really investing time in reaching a broader demographic, and making sure that we are not just reaching people who look like me or who are coming from the same general socioeconomic status,” said Gentry. “So really driving home the fact that Encore is for the people who are already active participants in their community, or they are interested in becoming active participants in their community. And that spans the gamut.”

The first print edition, which also includes the debut piece from the Tides of Change project, will be available at a launch celebration January 29th in Wilmington and distributed throughout New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties. 

“I’ve been overwhelmed with community support and enthusiasm for this publication’s return, and moreover, the craving for offline information and interaction,” said Gentry.

📰 News about the News 📰

Coastal Journalism Hub launches in New Hanover County

A new collaborative got off the ground this month in New Hanover County. The Coastal Journalism Hub aims to use community engagement along with shared data, training and resources to expand coverage of health issues on the coast, including those connected to housing, work, safety and climate impacts. 

Partners include Encore, StarNews, Narrative Arts and Shoresides, Coast 97.3, Cape Fear Collective, United Way Cape Fear Area and other community groups.  

Nurse-midwife Suzanne Wertman is project manager for the Hub. 

“We invite Wilmington residents to see the Coastal Journalism Hub as a shared civic asset. Follow the reporting it supports. Engage with the stories. Expect transparency from public institutions. And continue to support the local news organizations that serve this community every day,” Wertman wrote in a StarNews op-ed.

The first story, published this week, examines life expectancy disparities in Wilmington and introduces readers to what the Hub will be digging into: uncovering the reasons why certain neighborhoods determine the length of life and what solutions might begin to decrease those inequities. 

Learn more and sign up for updates at Coastaljournalism.org.

North Carolina News Lab Fund founder announces a new chapter

After launching the North Carolina News Lab Fund six years ago and leading efforts to raise millions of dollars in philanthropic support for local news, Director Lizzy Hazeltine announced this week that she’ll be stepping down.

“When I started at the Fund in 2019, we had big goals, a powerful first investment from Democracy Fund, and huge questions to answer,” wrote Hazeltine on LinkedIn. “More than six years later, I’m so proud of what I’ve built in deep partnership with so many other funders, partners, teammates, and field leaders. Together, we’ve answered core questions about what it takes to sustain this organization and support a community-centric local news and information ecosystem.”

The NC News Lab Fund, which has provided considerable support for this newsletter and other ecosystem resources since our own beginnings in 2020, has invested about $6 million in dozens of organizations across the state. It’s also the home of Press Forward North Carolina and Press Forward Charlotte.

“We’re deeply grateful to Lizzy for her steady leadership of the NC Local News Lab Fund over the years. The Fund was the founding supporter of the NC Local News Workshop—NC Local’s predecessor—and Lizzy played a pivotal role in bringing that work to life,” said NC Local Founder and CEO Shannan Bowen. “Through her leadership and partnership, she has helped expand philanthropic funding for local news across North Carolina, supporting a diverse mix of newsrooms, information organizations and trusted community messengers through the Fund’s grantmaking. We wish her all the best for her next steps, and we look forward to welcoming the Fund's next leader."

The Fund has launched a search for its next leader, accepting applications through March 2. 

"The Fund is ready to continue building on our strong foundation, and our mission, vision, values, and core strategies continue,” said Hazeltine who will transition from the Fund in June. “Later this summer, I’m ready to explore new questions about philanthropy and democracy, the interconnection in place-based systems change work, and coalition building."   

CityView announces new Editor-in-Chief

Longtime journalist Matt Hennie has joined The Assembly network as CityView’s Editor-in-Chief. Hennie has three decades of experience in local news, including as editor-in-chief of Phoenix New Times, executive editor of the Wichita Beacon and co-publisher of Project Q Atlanta, an LGTBQ+ news organization he launched in 2008. 

In an introduction to readers, Hennie says while born in Ohio, he’s “a product of the South and has been visiting family in Fayetteville and Moore County for more than two decades.” He spent a large portion of his career covering education and public safety.

“CityView’s commitment to covering education was one of the factors in my pursuing the job. Of the three reporters in the newsroom, one of them is dedicated full-time to that beat. It’s a pillar of our coverage and shows how highly we value education, including Cumberland County Schools, charter and private schools, and local colleges.”

Hennie succeeds Maydha Devarajan (we’ll be chatting with her in a few weeks about what’s next) and leads a team of five. Have ideas, feedback or just want to say hi? Reach out at mhennie@cityviewnc.com.

And welcome Matt to the NC news and information ecosystem!

Have something to share about your news and information organization? Send me a note at catherine@nclocal.org.

Sponsorship opportunities & Early Bird tickets for the NC News & Information Summit

On March 27, 2026, NC Local and the NC Open Government Coalition will welcome 300+ journalists, publishers, educators, media lawyers, funders and more to the 5th annual NC News & Information Summit at NC State in Raleigh. 

Early bird tickets are just $75 through January 24. Get yours today! 

We also have several sponsorship opportunities so you and your organization can support access to local, sustainable news coverage and freedom of information for North Carolinians. Sponsors are eligible for free registrations, logo placement and tickets to a special sponsor dinner. 

Contact Pate McMichael at pmcmichael@elon.edu or Shannan Bowen at shannan@nclocal.org to sponsor the Summit.

Women in Journalism NC Events in January

January 25: Chapel Hill in-person meet-up. 

Kick off 2026 with an in-person social gathering hosted by one of the group's members. Light refreshments provided. Noon to 2:00 pm. Email Lexi for an invitation and the address: womeninjournalismnc@gmail.com

Note: We are watching the weather and may need to offer a "snow date." But please contact Lexi to register today if you'd like to attend.

January 29: Bi-monthly casual conversation. 

This month's theme is "No Dumb Questions." Submit all of your burning journalism questions in advance. They'll be shared anonymously during the virtual meeting for the group to answer together. This is a great space for collaborating, commiserating and getting inspiration from your fellow journos! Contact womeninjournalismnc@gmail.com for the link or with questions you'd like to submit!

 NC Local content for republication 

✅ The State Board removed early voting site at WCU and three other college campus polling locations. Here’s why that matters.

✅ Changes required by the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ will affect Medicaid in NC. Here’s what you need to know.

✅ ICE arrested more than 3,300 people across NC during Trump’s first 9 months in office.

Stories from our partners

✅ NC Health News: North Carolina begins planning for $1B rural health initiative

✅ NC Newsline: N.C. State Board of Elections overrules local board in candidate challenge

✅ Enlace Latino NC: What does the killing of Renee Good mean for community observers in North Carolina?

Bulletin Board

Jobs

📌 Director, North Carolina Local News Lab Fund, Remote in NC 💰

📌 Reporter/Newsletter Producer, The News Reporter, northern Brunswick County 💰

📌 Breaking News Reporter, The News & Observer, Raleigh 

📌 Partner Success Manager, URL Media (Remote) 💰

📌 Engagement Reporter, Open Campus (Remote) 💰

📌 Reporter & Investigative Editor, The Examination (Remote) 💰

📌 National Editor, States Newsroom (Remote) 💰

📌 Senior Editor, Economy and Business, The Conversation (Remote) 💰

Opportunities, events & resources 

📅 Legal Rights and Risks for Journalists Covering Immigration Enforcement. This session draws on the expertise of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) to give journalists concrete, legally grounded strategies for gathering the news — especially when interacting with law enforcement. The workshop will help journalists plan ahead, make informed decisions in real time, and protect themselves legally in unpredictable environments. This training will be led by Jen Nelson, Director of Pre-Publication Review & Journalist Support at RCFP. January. 22 at 2:00 pm.

📅 National Press Club Scholarships: Application tips and tricks to stand out in the crowd.  Each year, the National Press Club awards more than $30,000 in funding to student journalists at the high school, college, and graduate levels. But with hundreds of applicants competing for six opportunities each year, how can students stand out in the crowd? We’ll cover scholarship application dos and don’ts, including advice on developing strong essay responses, selecting stellar work samples, and choosing the right individuals for a letter of recommendation. You’ll also have plenty of opportunity to ask questions about the application process, eligibility requirements, and selection timeline. January 28 at 11:00 am.

📅 Covering Policies that Restrict DEI: For months, colleges and universities across the country have been dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion infrastructure as a result of mounting state and federal policies. Join the Education Writers Association's webinar to get helpful context, background information, resources and story ideas on the DEI landscape in higher education. Hear from policy analyst Arthur Coleman (EducationCounsel LLC), Heidi Tseu (American Council on Education), and moderator Brooklyn Draisey (Iowa Capital Dispatch). January 29 at 1:00 pm.

📅 Career Office Hours: Virtual monthly office hours for jobseekers, those interested in networking, and media professionals hoping to boost their job-search skills. Starting in February and continuing the first Tuesday of each month, the National Press Club Journalism Institute will host a media employer who will share tips on what makes a strong candidate. The first guest is Corinne Chin, director of news talent at the Associated Press. February 3 at Noon.

🌱 2026 Environmental and Epistemic Justice Journalism Fellowship: The Wake Forest University Environmental and Epistemic Justice Initiative provides 4-6 early to mid-career journalists with this program to improve coverage of environmental justice issues, while aiding in diversifying the ranks of environmental journalism. Each fellow will receive a $3000 reporting stipend, plus expenses for travel and accommodations to attend the 2026 Summer Institute at INSTEP-WFU London, England. The fellowship encourages proposals that focus on the intersection of environmental and climate justice and health, particularly in the southeast and mid-Atlantic. Application deadline: February 15, 2026.

That's it for today. Stay safe during this week's weather event and as always, know you are appreciated for all you do to support the North Carolina local news and information ecosystem.  —Catherine