States

State-led policy efforts and investments in 2025 ensured local newsrooms could continue serving communities despite federal challenges
Applications for the Local Journalism Sustainability Tax Incentive Program open February 1, 2026, offering funding to help hire and retain journalists.
Federal cuts threaten lifeline news access for rural and underserved communities in the state

The legislation creates a California Civic Media Program to support local news, with discretionary grantmaking authority housed in the executive branch.

Data from the new Local Journalist Index can help leaders invest in, expand, and protect local journalism in underserved communities.
The $5.25 million investment will increase efforts to advance First Amendment-friendly public policies that empower local newsrooms and ensure communities stay informed
Growing support for plan to force Meta and Amazon to contribute
Our plan is to build on California’s original local news deal with Google, increasing the fund to $125 million per year by requiring Meta and ...
The Keep News Independent Act would delay sales to hedge funds and corporate chains, giving communities time to organize local, nonprofit or employee-led alternatives.