Local News Day is coming up on Thursday, April 9, and we encourage all NENPA members to take part in this national day of action celebrating the essential role of local journalism in our communities.
Local News Day is designed to reconnect people with the trusted local news sources that keep them informed, engaged, and accountable. At a time when trust in information is more important than ever, this initiative highlights the unique role local news plays in civic life—covering what’s happening in our towns and cities, explaining what it means, and creating a shared understanding of the issues that affect our daily lives.
The message behind Local News Day is simple: Start Local. The most important news is close to home. Local journalism serves as common ground—where the focus isn’t division, but what’s happening right here in our communities and how it impacts our neighbors. It’s an opportunity to remind audiences that local news is not only relevant, but essential.
For participating newsrooms, Local News Day offers a valuable opportunity to showcase your work and strengthen your connection with your audience. Whether through your website, newsletters, social media channels, or community outreach, there are many ways to participate. Share messaging like “Your neighbors, your news” and “Stay local. Stay connected.” Highlight your reporting, introduce your journalists, or feature stories that demonstrate your impact. Consider putting key articles outside the paywall, encouraging newsletter signups, or promoting subscriptions and donations to support your work.
This is also a strategic opportunity to focus on audience growth, revenue, and engagement. Consider setting measurable goals—such as increasing email signups, boosting website traffic, gaining new subscribers, or driving donations—and track performance in the days leading up to and following April 9. Establishing a clear window for measurement will help you better understand the impact of your efforts and inform future audience development strategies.
In addition, Local News Day is not limited to newsrooms alone. There is a role for everyone who wants to support local journalism, including businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community institutions. Encouraging partners to share your content, promote subscriptions, or simply amplify your message can help extend your reach and reinforce the value of local news across your community.
To support your participation, we’ve included resources below, including the official Local News Day toolkit with messaging guidance, sample materials, digital activation best practices, and event ideas. These tools are designed to make it easy for your newsroom to take part in a way that fits your capacity and goals.
Local News Day is a chance to come together as an industry and as a community—to celebrate the work you do every day and to remind your audience why local journalism matters. We hope you’ll join us on April 9 in strengthening the connection between your newsroom and the community you serve.