@NorthwesternU R&D project combines digital innovation, audience insight & business strategy to elevate local news & empower citizens. Based at @MedillSchool
Joined August 2018
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Comscore data shows local news sites are facing another challenge: declining digital traffic, even as news deserts continue to grow. In this Q&A clip, we discuss what the numbers tell us about the future of local journalism.
localnewsinitiative.northwes…
Nine Midwestern newsrooms completed the Medill-LMA Midwest Advanced Fundraising Lab, building stronger donor programs, diversifying revenue, and developing new strategies to sustain local journalism.
localnewsinitiative.northwes…
America lost 170 newspapers in the past year, nearly 3 every week. Now 238 counties are news deserts and 47 million people have limited or no local news access. Read the full report here: localnewsinitiative.northwes…
In our latest Medill Local News Initiative podcast, our Northwestern University Medill School research team unpacked our most comprehensive State of Local News Report, providing analysis and context behind the watershed changes in local news this year.
localnewsinitiative.northwes…
Happening this Wednesday!
Join Perspectives and the Medill Local News Accelerator on Oct. 14 for a hands-on workshop and panel with Chicago public health experts.
Last call for tickets! Register on Eventbrite here:
eventbrite.com/e/tips-from-t…
Medill Local News Initiative retweeted
“I was asked the other day if local journalism was boring, and I was like, ‘It may be boring, but it’s necessary.’”
cjr.org/business_of_news/im-…
The Medill Local News Accelerator invites journalists to join Perspectives on Oct. 14 for a hands-on workshop with Chicago public health experts. Learn strategies to engage skeptical audiences & build trust amid misinformation. Register here: eventbrite.com/e/tips-from-t…
📊 Chicago-area local news habits are changing: Radio’s share of local news consumption fell from 34% to 25% in three years, while daily local TV usage dropped from 52% to 47%. Just 14% pay for local news.
Read more: localnewsinitiative.northwes…
AI vs Real Humans: Why Local Authenticity Wins Every Time.
Full episode: localnewsinitiative.northwes…
How is Chicago getting its news in 2026?
📱 Smartphones are increasingly dominant
📺 Local TV audiences are declining
🤖 Audiences remain skeptical of AI in news
👥 Young people are increasingly turning to content creators
Read the Medill 2026 survey: localnewsinitiative.northwes…
The AI Productivity Paradox. Full episode here: localnewsinitiative.northwes…
"Subscriptions are the bedrock of what we do."
Full episode with Daily Memphian CEO Eric Barnes here: localnewsinitiative.northwes…
Eric Barnes, CEO of The Daily Memphian, joins Tim Franklin on the latest State of Local News Podcast to discuss paywalls, subscriptions, philanthropy, AI and the future of local journalism.
Read the Q&A + listen/watch: localnewsinitiative.northwes…
Medill Dean Charles Whitaker & @LocalNewsIni Founding Director Tim Franklin rang the @NasdaqExchange Bell yesterday! 🔔 They celebrated LNI's Chicago Innovation Award win for its R&D work helping transform the local news ecosystem nationwide. 🗞️
