At this critical juncture in the climate crisis, and as climate journalism itself is being challenged, it’s important for outlets to have clear evidence of the impact of their reporting — to know what’s working for their audiences, what’s not, and where to improve. Impact extends far beyond big policy changes to include things like the realization of one’s power, hope, a sense of connection, and civic engagement, all of which are essential to society’s ability to address the climate crisis. Designing processes to stay in touch with our audiences and solicit feedback helps to paint a fuller picture of what makes the most effective journalism. Inspired by “The Climate Blueprint for Media Transformation,” published in summer 2024 by the Solutions Journalism Network and Covering Climate Now, this ongoing discussion series covers pressing topics, like this one, related to climate journalism. In our fourth roundtable discussion in the series, called “Don’t Underestimate the Impact of Climate Stories,” we’ll discuss the importance of understanding your journalism’s impact, how to track impact and report it back to audiences, and why this work is so critical for ensuring that climate journalism becomes more of a priority within newsrooms. The project’s editor, Breanna Draxler, will moderate.

News leaders: Ask your questions about how to better measure impact and communicate trust with your local community.

The American Press Institute invites you to an interactive briefing to learn about how dozens of local media are actively measuring journalism’s civic impact — and examining ways to build trust across audiences and geographies.

The causes that communities hold dear are often intertwined with the health of the American press. It’s why API regularly convenes leaders in local journalism alongside experts and practitioners in related fields.

In June 2026, API hosted the API Local News Summit on Measuring Impact for Civic Discourse in Pittsburgh. You’re invited to this debrief and open discussion led by API’s summit co-facilitators Senior Vice President Samantha Ragland and Senior Director of Partnerships and Development Kevin Loker. Informed by the summit, this virtual session will explore how local news leaders view differing impacts of local journalism — and in particular, how they currently measure the work of their own organization. The conversation will surface needs and opportunities on the topic based on what some of your peer news leaders — from both nonprofit and commercial media — have shared.

API will share learnings for approximately 30 minutes. The remaining time will be for questions and discussion among news leaders.

To allow for honest and fruitful exchange, this conversation will follow Chatham House Rule. The AMA will not be recorded. We will send follow-up resources and opportunities to those who register. For questions on this event or other ways API can support those in philanthropy in understanding the challenges and opportunities in local news, please contact Kevin Loker at <kevin.loker@pressinstitute.org>.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that schools and states may limit participation on sports teams based on “biological sex” criteria. What does this mean for individual students, future litigation and enforcement of Title IX?

Join the Education Writers Association’s Aug. 17 webinar at 2 p.m. Eastern to learn more. Education journalists, joined by a law professor, will discuss the ruling’s legal implications, questions reporters should be asking key sources, and story ideas for covering this evolving and complex issue.

Speakers:

– Katie Barnes, senior writer, ESPN
– Elana Redfield, federal policy director, The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law
– Mark Walsh, contributing writer, Education Week (moderator)

In the first entry in a series for STAT News, “Out of Pocket, Out of Reach,” reporter Bob Herman showed that since 1987, the cost of health insurance for employers and workers has risen by 979% while overall inflation in that time rose by 176%, an increase of more than 450%. Such huge increases are harming workers and businesses of all sizes, as his reporting demonstrates.

About 80% of companies with fewer than 200 workers offered health insurance in the late 1990s, he reported, while only 59% do so today. Instead, workers are steered toward the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, where they pay higher premiums than ever. Mid-sized and large employers cut staff when health insurance costs rise. When employers cut staff, communities suffer as unemployment rises, leading to suicides and drug and alcohol abuse, researchers have reported.

Join Bob Herman and Joe Burns, AHCJ’s Health Beat Leader for Health Policy and Insurance, for a conversation and Q&A about a topic that applies to every town, city and state as small businesses struggle with rising insurance costs and employees face daunting financial decisions.