As the 2026 midterm elections approach, concerns are mounting over the state of local news. Commercial local TV stations, which once served as a primary source for community information, are increasingly focusing on national content at the expense of local reporting. This shift is driven by profit motives and regulatory changes, leaving many communities without adequate coverage of issues that directly affect them.
According to a recent op-ed by Dak Dillon, local newscasts often spend valuable airtime on national headlines that viewers have already seen elsewhere. Dillon asks, “why is a local station spending five minutes reading national headlines that every viewer already saw on their phone before the newscast even started?” He notes that such segments are no longer a service to the audience; they are “dead air with a local anchor's face on it.” This critique highlights a broader problem: as commercial stations prioritize national content for profitability, local news suffers.
The ownership cap lifted by the FCC in 2026 was supposed to increase local news content, but in practice, it has favored national content because that is what drives profits for commercial operations. Companies like Gray, Scripps, Sinclair, and Nexstar have focused primarily on national coverage, leaving a void in local reporting. This void is particularly troubling as it coincides with a critical election season, where informed voters are essential for a functioning democracy.
Nonprofit news organizations are stepping in to fill this gap. These outlets, often funded by donations and grants, provide in-depth, community-focused journalism that holds local leaders accountable and addresses issues such as housing, public health, and education. Examples include CalMatters, a nonpartisan nonprofit covering California statewide; Bay City News, serving the San Francisco Bay Area; and Mission Local, which focuses on San Francisco neighborhoods. Other organizations like Open Vallejo and the Vallejo Sun cover Solano County, while the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative serves the San Joaquin Valley.
These nonprofits are vital in combating news deserts—areas with little to no local news coverage. If news deserts can exist in a major city like San Francisco, the implications for suburbs and small towns across the country are dire. Without local news, communities are less informed, voter participation declines, and corruption can flourish. As the Vallejo Sun notes, “communities without a strong print or digital news organization have lower voter participation and more corruption.”
Supporting these nonprofit newsrooms through donations or subscriptions ensures that reliable, nonpartisan journalism continues to thrive. By contributing, readers help ensure that local issues receive the attention they deserve, reducing the influence of political propaganda and strengthening democracy at the grassroots level. As the 2026 midterms approach, the role of nonprofit news in providing accurate, local information cannot be overstated.
To support these efforts, consider donating to organizations like CalMatters, Bay City News, San Francisco Public Press, Mission Local, Open Vallejo, Vallejo Sun, Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, AAN, States Newsroom, Institute for Nonprofit News, Civic News Company, and LION Publishers. Sharing your donation on social media can also raise awareness and inspire others to contribute.
By participating in this initiative, readers can help ensure that democracy, free speech, and reliable information prevail during these uncertain times. The importance of local news cannot be overstated, and supporting nonprofit outlets is a direct way to safeguard it for future generations.
