Greetings all, it’s March 4. You made it past the primary! Gratitude to all of you for staying up late and spending the last two months helping your audiences understand what a primary is, how to vote, who’s running and what’s at stake. As results came in, I had WCU Professor Chris Cooper’s voice in my head saying “a single vote can and does matter.” That’s pretty much the case for State Senate District 26, where there are just two votes separating Sheriff Sam Page and Senate leader Phil Berger. Cooper has a great rundown of what happens next (including if there’s a tie and even a second tie) that you can share with your audiences to help demystify what will likely be a long process in declaring a winner. 

There's been lots of terrific work leading up to this week from reminders on how to vote and look up your ballot and extensive candidate guides and ballot builders to breaking down campaign spending, judicial races and local candidates' positions on stalled reparations recommendations. Many of our student publications are doing impressive election coverage, from following the court cases on campus voting sites to a live blog of local results. And early voting turnout is up about 25% compared to the 2022 primary which underscores the importance of your work in making sure audiences have reliable, accessible and trusted information to help them vote. 

So take a breath and a beat and know you are appreciated for your work! And, as your plans come together for the midterms, we want to hear about them: what are you doing differently? Is a Community/Citizens Agenda on the table? How are you engaging your audience? What parts of election administration are you focusing on? Send me a note to share what you're doing and we might feature it in an upcoming edition. 

Here’s what we have in the mix today: 

• Start your game plan for the 2026 NC News and Information Summit! We announce more than 25+ peer-led sessions, from public records and prepublication review to language access and trauma-informed storytelling. 
  
  

• The News Reporter expands to North Brunswick and introduces a new community-focused reporter and newsletter.
  
  

• And, we’re launching the second cohort of our Circle of Practice for Latino and bilingual journalists. Sign up here! 

One more note: in last week’s newsletter, we shared that we’re helping organize NC News Cafes across the state on 4/9 as part of Local News Day. There’s still time to sign up to host or participate and join the first of two info sessions this Thursday at 10 am. Check out this info sheet or send me a note at catherine@nclocal.org. 

Glad you’re here, let’s get started.

Sessions Announced for the 2026 NC News & Information Summit

We are just 22 days away from the 2026 NC News & Information Summit, taking place March 27 at NC State in Raleigh. Last year, we sold out, so reserve your spot today! 

Today, we’re pleased to announce 28 different panels, discussions and workshops for the 2026 gathering. This year, we’re also adding Table Talks: small group discussions during the final session block where you have the opportunity for candid and participant-led conversations on fundraising, creator journalism, community engagement and more. Here are other highlights:

🗳️ The Journalists' Guide to the 2026 Elections with Brooks Fuller and Tyler Daye, Common Cause NC; and Kyle Ingram, Democracy Reporter for the News & Observer.

🏫 Fighting for Public Records on the Education Beat with Korie Dean, The Assembly; Rachel Keith, WHQR Public Media; Corinne Saunders, Outer Banks Insider; and Beth Soja, RCFP.

🌎 Social-First Climate Journalism with David Dickson and Andrew McCormick, Covering Climate Now.

💡Inspiration to Action: Journalism Entrepreneurship in NC with Erica Perel, Tiny News Collective; Alexandra Smith, The 19th; Wes Platt, Southpoint Access; and Christian Hendricks, Holly Springs Update.

🫶 Trauma-Informed Storytelling: an Interactive Workshop with Natalie Bullock Brown, Director of the Documentary Accountability Working Group; Maya Chupkov, Filmmaker, Media & Democracy Program Manager, CA Common Cause; and Issac J. Bailey, journalist and professor.

📝 Language Access During Emergency Coverage with Jose Sandoval and Gerard Albert III, BPR; Julien Berger, WFAE; and Patricia Serrano, Enlace Latino NC.

⚖️ How to use eCourts and public records to investigate court cases, sources and jail deaths with Virginia Bridges, Lexi Solomon and Dan Kane, The News & Observer. 

⭐ And, we have an all-star panel for Innovation and Impact in Student Journalism featuring Ben McNeely, NC State; Skye Crawford, Editor-in-Chief with Technician; Nevaeh Sturdivant, Editor-in-Chief with The Nubian Message; Meg Frantz, Editor in Chief of The Appalachian; Ronni Butts, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Campus Echo; and Alli Pardue, Editor-in-Chief at The Daily Tar Heel.

And much more! Don’t forget - students get complimentary admission to the Summit! 

A few other things to note: 

Lodging: If you’re staying the night, we have two hotel blocks that will be expiring tomorrow/Thursday March 5. (There is another event in town that weekend and rooms are going fast, so please reserve today!) These blocks are for Thursday 3/26. If you wish to extend your stay, please contact the hotel.

➡️ Holiday Inn Express ($155 per night before taxes)

➡️ Town Place Suites ($165 per night before taxes)

After the Summit, The Assembly is sponsoring an After Party from 5:00-8:00 pm at Trophy Brewing's The Bend Bar, 853 W Morgan St, Raleigh. 

👏 A big round of applause to our Program Committee members for their invaluable contributions helping us review and select from more than 50 submissions for this year’s Summit: Ben McNeely, Elim Lee, Brooks Fuller, Rachel Keith, Makyla McLeod, Ben McNeely, Sara Murphy, Melba Newsome and Andrea Verykoukis.

Questions? Reach out to catherine@nclocal.org. We can’t wait to see you in Raleigh! 

Círculo de práctica de periodistas latinos y bilingües

Latino and bilingual journalists circle of practice

NC Local está relanzando el Circle of Practice, un espacio de comunidad y reflexión para periodistas latinos con trayectorias diversas: migrantes y nacidos en EE.UU.; quienes trabajan en español, en inglés o en ambos idiomas; y quienes se desempeñan en medios latinos, en espacios bilingües o en redacciones donde a veces son la única voz latina.

El círculo se reunirá una vez al mes y será facilitado por Patricia Serrano, periodista bilingüe y productora de audio, actualmente reportera del área oeste para Enlace Latino NC.

Por favor completa este formulario antes del viernes 13 de marzo si te gustaría participar en el Círculo de Práctica. Nuestro primer encuentro será presencial durante el almuerzo en el NC News and Information Summit el 27 de marzo en Raleigh. Después de ese encuentro, nos reuniremos de manera virtual de abril a julio.

NC Local is relaunching a Circle of Practice for Latino journalists with diverse trajectories: migrants and those born in the U.S.; those who work in Spanish, English, or both languages; and those who work in Latino media, bilingual spaces, or in newsrooms where they are sometimes the only Latino voice. Our Circles of Practice are a space for community and reflection about your work in local news and information here in North Carolina.

The circle will meet once a month and will be facilitated by Patricia Serrano, a bilingual journalist and audio producer, currently the Western North Carolina reporter for Enlace Latino NC.

Please fill out this form by Friday March 13 if you'd like to participate. Our first gathering will be in person during lunch at the March 27 NC News and Information Summit in Raleigh. After that, we'll meet virtually from April-July.

📰 News about the news 📰

News Reporter expands into North Brunswick 

The News Reporter is launching North Brunswick News, a digital community journalism initiative serving Leland, Belville and surrounding areas. Publisher Justin Smith cites the growth of Northern Brunswick County as the impetus for the expansion.

“With that growth comes a clear need for consistent, reliable community journalism,” said Justin Smith in an announcement. “As more families and businesses make this area home, it’s important that there is strong coverage of the decisions, developments and people shaping the community.”

Director of Operations Rachel Smith says their work providing in-depth community news in Columbus County created a strong blueprint for expanding into a neighboring market.

“Since the county neighbors Columbus County — and many people and businesses have connections across county lines — it is the perfect location for us to expand. We are enjoying getting to know the people of northern Brunswick County and look forward to helping tell their stories,” said Rachel Smith. 

North Brunswick News will launch in mid-March with a twice-weekly newsletter and website focusing on local government, education, businesses, public safety and community life. The News Reporter hired George Willoughby as the North Brunswick reporter for the new website and newsletter. An NC State grad, Willoughby recently served as associate editor at The Roxboro Courier-Times. 

The team will shape what’s offered by North Brunswick news through an online survey, community listening sessions and events, including the upcoming North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo on March 18. 

Longtime journalist Hal Tarleton remembered as mentor, community builder, exceptional editor

Harold “Hal” Tarleton passed away last month. The UNC Chapel Hill graduate spent the bulk of his 35-year-long journalism career in editorial roles at the Wilson Daily Times (now the Wilson Times). In tributes compiled by staff, Associate Editor Lisa Boykin said Tarleton was “a hard-nosed, old-fashioned newspaperman.” 

“You could tell that he loved Wilson and wanted it to improve, and he had an encyclopedic knowledge of its history and people. He had a nose for government waste, and he always rode me to ask hard questions of city officials,” Boykin shared. “He was one of the finest editors I knew in nearly 30 years in the industry.”

Others recalled the role Tarleton played in making them better writers and helping them advance in their careers. Rochelle Moore said he had a profound impact on her life, hiring first as an intern, then a staff member.

“Hal always had a twinkle in his eye and was an incredible mentor and writer. He also had a deep love for our community that inspired me to become more involved. He was endlessly supportive and played a meaningful role in my growth, both professionally and personally,” wrote Moore.

Amber Lynch was also hired by Tarleton as an intern before moving in to a writer role and then, a promotion to city editor.

“He was a good teacher, investing his journalism knowledge into my career resulting in me being one of the first few African-Americans to work and be promoted in the then-Daily Times newsroom,” said Lynch. 

Tarleton wrote more than 1500 weekly columns, many of which are compiled in the book “Non-Random Thoughts: Thirty years of newspaper columns.” He won dozens of state and national awards, and served as a board member or officer of the NC Press Association, NC Editorial Writers Association, and NC Associated Press News Council. In addition to journalism, Tarleton served on the boards of the American Red Cross, United Way and Habitat for Humanity, where the family requests donations in lieu of flowers. A memorial was held last Saturday. 

 Available for republication 

✅ NC Local: Here’s how Alamance-Burlington is drawing its new school maps
Some students will have new schools with changes under consideration in the Alamance-Burlington School System.

✅ NC Local: How far should North Carolina go in forcing treatment for someone with severe mental illness?
After two recent high-profile murders, lawmakers are weighing changes to the state’s involuntary commitment policies. Here’s how you can have a say.

From our partner network: 

✅ Inside Climate News: A Global Chemical Giant Racks Up Violations in Durham, N.C., Where Drinking Water for a Million Is Threatened

✅ Grist/BPR: A hotter, wetter South is becoming a breeding ground for mold
In Asheville, North Carolina, a housing crisis is colliding with a poorly understood health threat.

Bulletin Board

Jobs

📌 Affordability Reporter, The News & Observer, Raleigh/Durham

📌 Raleigh Accountability Reporter, The News & Observer, Raleigh 

📌 Western Wake County Reporter, The News & Observer, Wake County

📌 Transportation Reporter, The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte 

📌 Staff Writer, The Courier-Times, Person County

📌 Dining, Retail and Culture Reporter and Government Reporter, The Fayetteville Observer

📌 Community Reporter, Beacon Media, Franklin & Granville Counties 💰

📌 Reporter, The Mountaineer, Waynesville 

📌 Reporter, WFDD, Winston-Salem 

📌 Weekend Host/Reporter, WUNC, Chapel Hill & Durham 💰

📌 Editor, QCity Metro, Charlotte 💰

📌 Endowed Chair in Journalism and Public Policy, Duke-Sanford School of Public Policy, Durham 

📌 Managing Editor, The War Horse (Remote) 💰

📌 General Assignment Correspondent, NPR (Remote) 💰

Opportunities, events & resources 

🌱 Listening Post Collective Grants: LPC is offering five $20,000 grants for users to employ their community listening playbook. Open to registered users of their Civic Media Playbook (signing up is free) with an operating budget of less than $500,000. Find an info session recording and slide deck here. Application deadline: March 8th. 

🌱 Grants for Journalists: RJI Fellow Monica Williams has created a database of grants and fellowships for independent reporters; a list of 160 foundations funding newsrooms; and a resource library that includes successful applications and essential terms. 

📅 2025 RJI Fellows Showcase: Join a virtual public presentation where RJI Fellows will demo what they built and show you how to use it. All resources are built to be free, accessible and easy to use. March 5, Noon ET. Projects include:

• Tools and a guidebook for newsrooms interested in embracing non-traditional newsroom models and methods

• A one-stop platform that helps U.S. newsrooms and journalists find money for reporting and journalism projects

• A platform that provides journalists with ready-made materials and resources for immediate use for covering immigration

• A digital guidebook to help newsrooms engage in walking tours as a medium for engagement and revenue building for local journalism

📅  Local News Day Trainings: The national team behind Local New Days has organized a series of trainings to help you maximize audience growth for the day of action and beyond. Sign up for Local News Day here to get updates, invites to weekly info sessions and access other resources.

• Training #2: Mar 11 at 2:00 PM ET (Email campaign writing best practices)

• Training #3: Mar 25 at 2:00 PM ET (How to solicit donations - focus on segmenting and messaging)

• Training #4: Apr 14 at 2:00 PM ET (What to do after Local News Day - how to keep the momentum going)

That's it for today, thank you for reading. Big thanks to our Wilmington-based news and information friends for meeting with NC Local last week, sharing your ideas and feedback and your enthusiasm for the NC News Cafes. We loved hanging out with you and are excited to partner. As always, know you are appreciated for all you do to support the North Carolina local news and information ecosystem.  —Catherine