In 2026, the landscape of local news is shifting dramatically. With the FCC's ownership cap lifted, media conglomerates like Gray, Scripps, Sinclair, and Nexstar have increasingly focused on national content, leaving many communities without dedicated local reporting. This trend has raised concerns about the future of local journalism and its role in holding power accountable. According to an op-ed by Dak Dillon, local newscasts often spend precious minutes on national headlines that viewers have already seen elsewhere, rather than covering issues that directly affect their neighborhoods. As Dillon puts it, "Running a national package or reading a wire rundown isn't a service to the audience in 2026. It's dead air with a local anchor's face on it." This shift is driven by profit motives, as national content attracts larger audiences and advertisers.
In response, a coalition of nonprofit news organizations is stepping in to fill the void. These outlets are dedicated to providing in-depth, community-focused journalism that commercial stations often overlook. By donating or subscribing directly to these nonprofits, readers can ensure reliable news coverage of local politics, from mayoral races to county executives, state legislatures, and Congress during the midterm elections. The initiative highlights that without support, news deserts—areas with little to no local news—could expand beyond cities like San Francisco to suburbs and small towns across the country.
Among the organizations leading this charge is CalMatters, a nonpartisan nonprofit covering California issues. As the only journalism outlet dedicated to covering America's biggest state, CalMatters produces stories that probe and explain quality-of-life issues while holding leaders accountable. In 2024, it acquired The Markup, a nonprofit newsroom focused on technology's impact on society. Donations to CalMatters can be made at https://give.calmatters.org/campaign/564470/donate.
In the Bay Area, Bay City News Foundation serves as a regional newswire, reaching up to 9 million people through collaborations and cross-publishing. It targets geographic and topical news deserts, experiments with technology, and trains the next generation of journalists. Support Bay City News at https://localnewsmatters.org/support-our-publication/.
San Francisco Public Press is another nonprofit providing independent public-interest journalism on under-covered topics such as environmental protection, housing affordability, and public health. It publishes online, on community radio KSFP-FM, and via its "Civic" podcast. Donations can be made at https://sanfranciscopublicpress-bloom.kindful.com/.
Mission Local focuses on high-impact enterprise reporting in San Francisco, covering police reform, City Hall corruption, and neighborhood issues. It also trains diverse journalists and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2022. To donate, visit https://mission-local.donorsupport.co/page/donate.
Open Vallejo, an award-winning nonprofit newsroom, illuminates issues in a small city burdened by police violence and corruption. As part of the Informed California Foundation, it serves as a design lab for transparency frameworks. Donate at https://openvallejo.org/donate/.
Vallejo Sun covers Solano County, believing informed communities are better equipped to engage with government. It aims to combat misinformation and hold power accountable. Membership details are at https://www.vallejosun.com/membership/.
The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative strengthens local news in the San Joaquin Valley by supporting media and journalists. Donations can be made at https://cvlocaljournalism.org/supportus/.
Nationally, AAN represents independent local media, while States Newsroom provides nonpartisan coverage from every state capital. The Institute for Nonprofit News supports over 500 independent news organizations. Civic News Company oversees Chalkbeat, Votebeat, and Healthbeat, focusing on education, elections, and public health. Lion Publishers strengthens independent news businesses. Each offers donation opportunities to sustain their work.
The implications of this shift are profound. Without robust local news, democracy suffers: voter participation declines, corruption flourishes, and communities lack the information needed to make informed decisions. By supporting nonprofit newsrooms, readers can ensure that local voices are heard and that government remains accountable. As the 2026 midterms approach, the role of these organizations becomes ever more critical in preserving a free press and informed citizenry.
