Greetings all, it’s Wednesday July 15th. The team at NC Local is feeling elated, excited, energized and so grateful following Monday’s big announcement: we are joining the portfolio of local news organizations supported by the American Journalism Project. The three year, $1.25 million investment will go toward our revenue and fundraising operations, building a sustainable foundation for local journalism, partnerships and collaborations to continue and expand. We’ll hear more in today’s edition from Founder & CEO Shannan Bowen, but we wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who’s reached out with their kind words, support and enthusiasm. This isn’t about one news organization, but what we’ve all been building together and we can’t wait to see the benefits this will bring across North Carolina. 

Also in today’s mix: 

• Tomorrow’s reporters, data journalists and editors might not be majoring in journalism. How a new initiative is aiming to provide support and mentoring and build a pipeline to NC newsrooms.
  
  

• How can you better connect with local neighborhoods? Narrative Arts walks you through the why and how, and offers a toolkit to help you get started.
  
  

• And, we welcome a new reporter: NC Local’s Ryan Oehrli will be taking an accountability lens to state policy issues. 

Glad you’re here, let’s get started.

NC Local receives $1.25 million investment from the American Journalism Project

NC Local is thrilled to announce a major investment from the American Journalism Project, which will be supporting us with a $1.25 million grant. AJP, a venture philanthropy organization that has also invested in WFAE and Enlace Latino NC, helps support new and existing news organizations with funding to put toward revenue growth and financial sustainability.

"North Carolina is growing faster than almost any state in the country, yet too many communities lack reliable reporting on the decisions shaping their lives. NC Local is taking on that gap,” said Sarabeth Berman, CEO of the American Journalism Project. “We're proud to invest in their vision to expand original reporting throughout the state, and we're excited to see the state's own communities and philanthropy help build a more informed, connected North Carolina."

In addition to NC Local, AJP also announced investments in The Richmonder and Maine Monitor, as well as Texas Public Radio. Across the US, AJP has invested in nearly 60 nonprofit local news organizations, serving more than 100 communities in 38 states and Puerto Rico.

To learn more about this means, for NC Local and local news in our state, I asked our Founder and CEO Shannan Bowen a few questions about this transformational investment.

$1.25 million is a sizable amount. What will this funding go toward? 

Shannan: We are immensely grateful for AJP’s deep investment in NC Local. AJP grants support the business and operations functions of nonprofit newsrooms. This grant will go toward building out our revenue and operations capacity — essentially, the infrastructure we need to become sustainable for the long-term so we can continue to grow and serve the state with more regional reporting that helps people make sense of state issues affecting them. With this support, we’ll add new staff positions focused on developing our revenue, focused on individual giving, major gifts and development operations. We’re also investing in the systems and strategy to diversify our revenue across three primary streams: individual donations, business sponsorships and philanthropic support.

How will these new positions eventually lead to expanded news and information in North Carolina? 

Shannan: We have ambitious plans for the future to grow to serve our mission to connect communities with the issues shaping their lives and states. We aim to add regional reporters across the state who serve as their communities’ guides to state issues, partnering closely with other newsrooms and convening residents to listen to their questions and input. Generating new revenue means we can sustain our operations and put more money toward additional newsroom positions. As our revenue grows, so does our reporting and engagement capacity to reach more communities across the state.

What kinds of benefits will other news and information organizations see from this investment? 

Shannan: We worked on NC Local’s strategy with input from our partner newsrooms across the state — a unique way to start a nonprofit news organization, but an approach that recognized we didn’t want to be competitive or duplicative but rather an anchor that lifts up our ecosystem.  NC’s ecosystem is one of the most collaborative in the country, and it helped shape both our roots as the NC Local News Workshop to what we’ve grown into as NC Local, expanding access to information about the local impact of state policy issues.

We’re launching our expanded partnership network soon, building on lessons learned this year with a small pilot group, and anyone can republish our content on NCLocal.org. We’re also expanding collaborations with newsrooms and community groups on projects and events, including community listening sessions across the state. A stronger NC Local means more original, relevant journalism available for partners to republish, and more opportunities for collaborative reporting projects that no single newsroom can take on alone. The more we grow and sustain our operations, the more our partners and our communities benefit.

Besides funding, how else does AJP support local news organizations?

Shannan: AJP's support goes well beyond the check. They bring deep expertise in nonprofit news business models, hands-on strategic guidance, and connections across a national network of newsrooms who are working through the same growth challenges we are. Their team has worked closely with us on everything from financial modeling to organizational structure, and being part of their portfolio — alongside organizations like WFAE and Enlace Latino NC — gives us access to shared learning we couldn't get on our own.

When do you expect to post new positions? 

Shannan: We're aiming to have the first of our new revenue-focused roles posted this quarter. We want to be thoughtful about sequencing these hires so each new team member has the infrastructure and support to succeed from day one.

Anything else to add?

Shannan: This grant is a huge vote of confidence in North Carolina and in the idea that every community in our state deserves access to trustworthy, accountable journalism. We're grateful to AJP for believing in that vision, and we're excited to keep building alongside our partners across the state. 

👏 Well Done 👏

The Engagement Edition 

👏 Narrative Arts, the Coastal Journalism Hub, and the Collaborative Journalism Resource Hub have been sharing their learnings about community engagement, creating spaces for listening, and bringing residents into the process of making media to help shape the policy decisions that affect their lives. In a three-part webinar series taking place this month, the organizations are asking: “How do communities build the trust and connections needed to solve problems together?”

In the first one, journalist and strategist Rend Smith with Narrative Arts walks through why and how to develop narrative infrastructure — or the “relationships, habits and institutions that help community knowledge become public knowledge” and how to connect this community expertise to local journalism and the people who make policy decisions.

Rend also walks through a “Neighborhood to Newsroom” toolkit created by Narrative Arts; it’s a really helpful guide that outlines straight-forward steps you can take to create these spaces, facilitate discussions and surface community information needs. 

This week’s gathering asks “How can communities build stronger relationships between residents, journalists, public health organizations, and civic institutions?” facilitated by Coastal Journalism Hub’s Suzanne Wertman and New Hanover County Resiliency Task Force’s J’vaneté Skiba. The final discussion on Tuesday July 21 will explore “Turning Community Stories into Civic Infrastructure.” You can register to participate live in that one here, but all are available on Narratives Arts YouTube. Also follow Narrative Arts on LinkedIn to learn about their recent story circles that bring residents together over a series of gatherings to co-create stories together. 

👏  You’ve heard of book clubs, even podcast clubs, but what about an article club? The Assembly is experimenting with this audience engagement tactic, recently bringing together a group of people at Greensboro’s Scuppernong Books. Korie Dean facilitated a discussion about her reporting into accelerated bachelor’s degrees and a push for the UNC Community College Systems to work together on the initiative. In addition to building relationships, Korie says the conversation led to new story ideas.

Love this low-lift, low-cost way to bring people together in real life to chat about a specific topic, explore new questions and angles and connect with new potential new sources.  It also helps address the trend of news avoidance and news fatigue by creating an antidote to consuming news in isolation. Want to try something like this yourself? API’s “Practicing Engaged Journalism” report is a great place to start.

👏 Hail Zulueta is a tech communicator, data journalist, contributor to NC Local and senior at NC State. While the university has some impressive media outlets, like Nubian Message (where Hail is a staff writer) and Technician, the school only has a journalism minor and Hail saw a need to build a better pipeline for students interested in this field. 

“Journalism shouldn't feel isolating. Before I graduate this winter, I want to ensure that no aspiring writer at NC State ever feels like they're navigating this path alone,” said Hail. 

Hail’s solution, just launched with fellow student Elliott Jackson, is NCSU’s Student Journalist Society. The group plans to hold weekly meetings for student journalists to discuss their work and learn from each other, and invite professional journalists to monthly workshops to share their expertise on things like data journalism, investigative reporting, newsletters and other topics.

“We are looking for all types of journalism professionals in all kinds of niches and mediums,” said Hail. “Because NC State is a STEM School rather than a J-School, we don't have a journalism pipeline that secures post-grad opportunities or mentorships, so my goal for this society is to connect student journalists with a mentor who can help them connect with other professionals and to develop their portfolio.”

Want to sign-up as a speaker, mentor or coach with NCSU’s Student Journalist Society? Get in touch with Hail & Elliott at studentjournalistsociety26@gmail.com. 

Help us recognize the important work being done across the NC news and information ecosystem. Send us “Well Done” nominations by replying to this email or emailing us at catherine@nclocal.org. 

📰 News about the news 📰

Ryan Oehrli kicks off first week with NC Local

NC Local is excited to welcome Ryan Oehrli to the team as a Report for America Accountability Reporter. Ryan is taking an investigative approach to statewide issues, tracking policy decisions, funding sources and answering questions from audiences across a range of issues.

"I'm excited to get to work and eager to talk to people across the state. My line is always open — whether you work in government and see a system or a process that isn't working quite right, or if you're someone who's been affected by choices made in Raleigh, or if you'd just like to share your thoughts on what's in the news,” said Ryan. 

A native of Little Washington, Ryan previously served as a criminal justice reporter at The Charlotte Observer and worked at the Asheville Citizen Times and several Mississippi outlets. Have suggestions, audience questions or tips as he starts his new beat with NC Local? Get in touch at ryan@nclocal.org.

AVL Watchdog announces new Editor-in-Chief

Michael Stowe is joining the AVL Watchdog pack as its new Editor-in-Chief. Stowe spent two decades at The Roanoke Times, including seven years as managing editor and then joined Virginia Tech as communications director for Virginia Tech News. In both roles, he’s credited with developing digital strategy, audience engagement and news products. He also served on the boards of the Virginia Press Association and Virginia Coalition of Open Government.

“Strong local journalism is vital, and what the Asheville Watchdog has accomplished in just a few years is remarkable,” Stowe said in the announcement. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead such a talented team. I look forward to building on that success as we work to expand our reporting, deepen our impact and serve more people.”

Michael will relocate from Blacksburg to Asheville this summer and is expected to begin his new role in August. He succeeds Keith Campbell who recently retired after leading the team for three years.

The future of hyperlocal news is bright!

Also from AVL Watchdog, John Boyle brings us this absolutely inspiring column about the Richmond Gazette, a hyperlocal publication launched by 8-year-old Isabel Arcos. The monthly, hand-written editions feature an interview of the month, pet of the month, gardening tips, a comic and more. One of Isabel's interviews was a local builder who's renovating a church into condos and apartments. She also did an enterprise story on New Yorkers who’ve moved to Asheville.

"I do most of it,” Isabel told John. “My mom helps me kind of record it — kind of — and then helps keep track of my subscribers and people with ads and stuff.”

Since starting last fall, the Gazette has grown to eight pages and has several dozen subscribers - even ones from adjacent streets and neighborhoods. When $1/month subscriptions lapse, Isabel and her mom hand deliver “Oh no” notices to reengage subscribers. And Isabel sells ads too, also for $1 each.

John pointed out that it's a lot of work to publish a newspaper and asked Isabel why she handwrites each issue instead of using a computer?

“Because I think that the subscribers might be more impressed with the Gazette because I handwrite it,” she said.

You too can become a subscriber (or advertiser) and even get back issues. Get in touch at therichmondgazette@gmail.com. 

Isabel Arcos, 8, discusses the process of publishing her neighborhood newspaper, the Richmond Gazette, with Asheville Watchdog columnist John Boyle. // Watchdog photo by Starr Sariego

Available for republication 

✅ NC Local: After two high-profile killings, NC changes involuntary commitment laws

✅ NC Local: New program provides financial aid for workforce training, but few NC community college courses qualify 

✅ NC Local: State budget gives Alamance-Burlington Schools $3.2M for AI school safety pilot

✅ NC Health News: NC families fear losing access to autism therapy as new rules take effect

✅ Carolina Public Press: NC auditor’s former liaison resigns amid furor over pressuring county elections board on early voting plans 

✅ Inside Climate News: A Chemical Plant Mishandled Hazardous Waste for Years, Then Quietly Shuttered

✅ Enlace Latino NC: El presupuesto de Carolina del Norte deja al condado de Wake con una brecha de fiscales que preocupa a funcionarios judiciales

Questions remain about cleanup at the North Carolina site, which had been hailed as a solution for dealing with plastic waste.

Join NC Local for our next listening hike! 

Bulletin Board

Jobs

📌 News Reporter/Host, WHQR, Wilmington
📌 Fill-in Announcer, WHQR, Wilmington

📌 Programming and Operations Director, WNCW, Spindale

📌 TV Anchor/Reporter, WRAL, Raleigh

📌 Documenters Program Manager, Charlotte Journalism Collaborative, Charlotte 💰

📌 Director of Audience & Content, BPR, Asheville💰

📌 Senior Editor, WFAE, Charlotte 

📌 Social Media Strategist, States Newsroom (Remote) 💰

📌 Magazine Editor, CityView/The Assembly, Fayetteville 💰

📌 Vertical Video Reporter, The Marshall Project (Remote) 💰

📌 Journalist-in-Residence, Association of Health Care Journalists (Remote) 💰

📌 Coalition & Partnerships Coordinator, Rebuild Local News (Remote) 💰

Opportunities & events

📅 Idea Lab: Workflow Documentation. Making big things happen without documenting your process is technically possible, but if you want to replicate that success you have to start writing things down. Instituting change requires clear, easy-to-follow communication to keep everyone on the same page. In fact, you may be surprised by how many newsroom issues can be solved by simply making the implicit explicit. Join this Idea Lab to nerd out over workflow documentation, from handbooks and SOPs to style guides and project roadmaps. Offered by PMJA, this webinar is open to all. Monday July 20, 1:00 PM.

🌱 Local Business Journalism Fellowship: To help journalists covering business in their communities, the National Press Foundation is hosting its third in a series of exclusive four-day briefings with economists, small business owners and other top experts to dive into business infrastructure across America. In this all expenses paid trip to Chicago Oct. 5-8, fellows will examine how policies and practices fuel stability, innovation and growth for companies large and small. Application deadline: August 10.

🌱 Leading AI in the Newsroom: Poynter is offering a new leadership program designed specifically for journalists leading AI adoption in small and medium-sized newsrooms. The program kicks off with two days of in person workshops in Los Angeles followed by four live virtual sessions. Participants will work through real newsroom scenarios, learn from one another’s experiences and receive guidance from Poynter’s Alex Mahadevan, Tony Elkins and Sitara Nieves as they develop approaches tailored to their own organizations. The program itself is tuition-free, with limited travel stipends available. Application deadline: August 14.

🌱 Southern Documentary Fund 2026 Production Grants: Applications are open for $15,000 in production funding, participation in SDF's Mentorship Program and distribution consultation from Reel South. To help applicants prepare, SDF will host two free virtual information sessions on July 20 at 1:00 PM and August 10 at 1:00 PM covering eligibility, application tips, and a live Q&A. Application deadline: August 14.

That's it for this week. Thank you for reading and know you are appreciated for all you contribute to the NC news and information ecosystem.  —Catherine