Greetings all, it’s Wednesday January 14. NC Local, in partnership with OpenNews and Newspack, is part of a really important initiative, Emergency Mode for News, to help newsrooms prepare for and respond to disasters. Now, we need your help in shaping the training, tools and peer learning we’re developing. Whether you have first-hand experience or want to help your newsroom get ready for the unexpected, we want to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey (and get a chance to win a $50 gift card). And if you wouldn't mind, please share with 2-3 people to help us spread the word. 

We know there’s a lot of expertise in this community and we’re excited to hear from you! 

Coming up today: 

• "The power in your keystrokes can't be overstated." An NC health communicator offers tips for effective measles coverage.
  
  

• One day left! Applications due COB Thursday for the NC Justice Reporting Fellowship. Fellows are matched with a mentor (Spanish-language offered) and receive a $5,000 stipend.
  
  

• $150,000 in public funds for a ghostwritten book about an NC town manager? That's just one troubling finding in an unfolding story about spending, ethics and transparency in Cary that once again shows why local watchdogs are essential.
  
  

• Want to convene in person with the Women in Journalism NC group? RSVP by emailing womeninjournalismnc@gmail.com for the 1/25 meet up in Chapel Hill. Light refreshments provided! 

Glad you’re here, let’s get started.

Repeat the message & humanize the story

What we can learn from health communicators about covering measles

With the outbreak of measles in Spartanburg County continuing to grow (434 cases as of Tuesday) and reported cases in Buncombe, Polk and Rutherford counties, news and information organizations are working to provide their communities with resources and trusted information. QCity Metro is getting out the word about same day vaccinations after measles was detected in Mecklenburg wastewater. BPR has looked at the concurrent spread of measles, chickenpox and whooping cough, along with guidance from health officials and a tool to check your immunity. And NC Local has this republishable explainer answering common questions about measles, how it's transmitted, the vaccine and if you need a booster. 

Health communicator Brandon Romstadt says it's been encouraging to see such a swift and enthusiastic effort to cover this outbreak.

“Much like the illness itself, measles content is spreading,” said Romstadt, who is Director of Health Communications at WNC Health Network. “The power in your keystrokes can't be overstated and your ability to make a positive difference in the lives of our residents is needed now more than ever.”

As you continue to cover the outbreak and keep your communities informed, I asked Brandon to share some of the things they’ve learned about effective strategies to reach people about health and safety issues. 

✅ Do's 

What's your desired impact?

Before reporting, clarify the result you want your story to achieve. Is the goal to protect child health and safety? Build trust in medical interventions and public health? Or increase health literacy around measles-related terminology? Grounding your piece in a clear outcome can serve as a north star—guiding framing, language, sourcing and format choices.

Start with the story

Stories are powerful! Stories have the ability to change minds, expand perceptions, and shift behaviors. If the result you hope to achieve is to have a positive impact on the health and safety of your community by encouraging residents to practice public health behaviors, consider beginning with your trusted messenger(s): someone best positioned to support the goal of your piece (like a concerned parent, teacher, pediatrician, etc) and tell their story.  

Think Long-Term

Communications is a marathon, not a sprint. This is especially true when we're talking about health communications. People need to hear the same message repeatedly, in various ways, from various messengers, and in various places for lasting impact to occur. Repetition of reliable measles content will help communities understand risk, prevention, and response over time—not just during outbreaks.

❌ Don'ts

Don't let facts stand alone

Yes, facts are essential, but they are most effective when they are placed within a narrative that helps readers understand why the information matters. Think of facts as the seasoning you add to your meal; they add flavor to something that was already delicious! Your story should be the meal with facts strategically added in for that extra special touch. Leaning on the human story will ensure emotional resonance and relatability, clearing the way for you to achieve your goal for the piece.

Don't add fuel to the fire

Staying above the fray is essential in times of high emotional tension. It's essential to be intentional about the language we use to talk about new cases, origins of those cases, and impacted communities. Avoid language or framing that places blame on one specific community and instead stay grounded in what the community needs to know: measles is spreading in your community, here’s how it spreads, and here’s what residents can do to protect themselves and others. Ground that message in story and you're golden!

Thank you Brandon for taking time this week to share this helpful guidance! 

WNC news and information organizations: Brandon can connect you with parents and families who are willing to share their questions and concerns. Get in touch at brandon.romstadt@wnchn.org.

NC Local welcomes new board member Michael Schoenfeld

NC Local's board of directors is pleased to welcome a new member: Michael Schoenfeld, a top communications executive with deep ties to North Carolina and public interest media.

Michael, now with Brunswick Group in Washington, heads the firm’s education practice and works with some of the world’s leading universities, academic medical centers, research institutes and foundations. Michael previously served in leadership roles at Duke and Vanderbilt University, as well as senior vice president for policy and public affairs at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). He also held news reporting and public diplomacy roles at the Voice of America and U.S. Information Agency in Washington, DC.

"Michael's deep experience in communications and leadership and his commitment to public interest media, which he has fostered in his professional work and through a long history of nonprofit board leadership, are wonderful additions to our board, and we're so glad to welcome him as we continue to help build NC Local's service," said NC Local Board Chair Melanie Sill. 

Sponsorship opportunities 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. We are pleased to share several sponsorship opportunities so you and your organization can support access to local, sustainable news coverage and freedom of information for North Carolinians. 

LONG LEAF PINE SPONSORS ($25,000+) support all aspects of the conference program. Includes eight (8) free registrations, prime logo placement and in conference materials, sponsorship spotlight recognition, and six (6) tickets to sponsor dinner.

DOGWOOD SPONSORS ($10,000+) ignite the conversation at the summit by sponsoring a conference event, such as a workshop or panel. Includes six (6) free registrations, logo placement and recognition in conference materials, and four (4) tickets to sponsor dinner. Limited to number of conference events.

CARDINAL SPONSORS ($5,000+) support the summit’s overall operations. Includes four (4) free registrations, logo placement and recognition in conference materials, and two (2) tickets to sponsor dinner.

LIGHTHOUSE SPONSORS ($1,000+) support the summit by underwriting free tickets, stipends and other costs to ensure community access to the summit. Includes four (4) free registrations, logo placement and recognition in conference materials.

We are also offering TAR HEEL TOAST SPONSORSHIPS to keep the conversation going by supporting the official After Party — a chance to connect, celebrate and spark new collaborations.

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

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!

📰 News about the News 📰

Inaugural national ‘Local News Day’ announced

Just like Giving Tuesday heightened awareness about (and donations to) local nonprofits, a new initiative hopes to do the same for local news organizations. Slated for April 9, Local News Day aims to “reconnect people to trusted local outlets, empower newsrooms to grow, and spark a national movement that sustains local news for generations.” NCPA and NC Local have signed up as partners. Find details here on how to participate as a newsroom, individual or sponsor. 

Have creative ideas for getting the word out or engaging with your community for Local News Day? Let NC Local know by sending a note to catherine@nclocal.org.

New funding announced for NC news & info organizations

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation announced $9.4 million in grants to North Carolina organizations working toward state-level systemic change. Grantees include a number of local news and information organizations, including NC Local, Beacon Media, Carolina Public Press, States Newsroom and Journalism Funding Partners. 

The grants are part of ZSR’s State-Level Systemic Change initiative, supporting nonprofits working to “change policies, power structures and other root causes of challenges” in North Carolina. Previously announced news grantees include The Assembly, Canary Media, EdNC, Enlace Latino NC, JMPro Community Media, NC Health News and WFDD. Sign up for ZSR’s email list for updates on future grant opportunities.

👏 Well done 👏

Top of the Arc Edition

News organizations (along with some citizens) have filed 60+ public records requests to piece together what is happening in the town of Cary, where Town Manager Sean Stegall was put on administrative leave in November, then resigned in December. 

Reporters at the N&O used records to shed light on misuse of $150,000 in public funds spent on “Top of the Arc,” a ghostwritten book (still available for purchase on the Town’s website) championing Stegall’s leadership. The N&O’s coverage also includes a breakdown of spending for Top of the Arc, which sold less than 150 copies. Outside of the ghostwriter and printing, one of the top costs was $10,000 for this short article in a trade publication. 

Other documents are helping understand Stegall’s authorization of $1 million+ for two parcels of land without full council approval (and despite recommendations not to move forward with the purchase) and how $37,000+ was approved for graduate degree tuition for a town council member (which she’s agreed to repay). 

INDY also filed records requests and interviewed Mayor Harold Weinbrecht about the lack of oversight and what the town is doing in response. Weinbrecht said putting up the public records portal was one way they’re trying to be transparent and accountable. On Monday, ABC 11 continued its coverage and spoke with State Auditor Dave Boliek about their investigation and potential criminal changes.

Nice work NC journalists & citizens using our public records law to hold officials accountable and inform the public on this story! 

Bulletin Board

Jobs

📌 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) 💰

📌 Assistant Engagement Producer, FERN (Remote) 💰

📌 National Editor, States Newsroom (Remote) 💰

📌 Editor (two positions), The 19th (Remote) 💰

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

📌 Program Manager,  Association of Health Care Journalists (Remote) 💰

Opportunities, events & resources 

🌱 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.

🏆 Center for Integrity in News Reporting Awards: Six $25,000 awards for the most fair, impartial, objective news reporting that has the courage to not fear and the discipline to not favor. Categories include print, broadcast, cable, digital and investigative. Deadline: Feb. 16, 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.

📅 Captured Memories: A Year in Photos with The Charlotte Observer: Come see the Charlotte Observer’s best photos of 2025 and learn more  local photojournalists about the art and science of visual journalism as our team shares how they capture these images. Today/January 14, 6:30-8:00 pm, ImaginOn - The Joe and Joan Martin Center, Charlotte.

📅 Demystifying Digital Security: Practical Guidance for Journalists. ProJourn, a program operated by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, in partnership with the International Women’s Media Foundation and the American Journalism Project, is pleased to present a training on digital security for journalists. Led by Ela Stapley of the International Women’s Media Foundation, this session will teach you how to identify your own digital risks and provide practical steps to identifying and removing data online. February 3 at Noon.

News & info reading list:

📚When just showing the video isn’t enough: Minneapolis shooting puts news organizations to the test

📚How journalists should cover ICE’s fatal shooting of a civilian in Minneapolis

📚Reporting While Trans: A dozen journalists on the risks of working in the news industry—and how to ensure their safety.

That's it for today. Thank you for reading. Reach out anytime with feedback and suggestions for The Hub. Reply to this newsletter or send a note to catherine@nclocal.org. Stay warm this week and know you are appreciated for all you do to support the North Carolina local news and information ecosystem.  —Catherine