Nonprofit News Outlets Crucial for Local Coverage as Commercial TV Shifts to National Content

In recent months, concerns have mounted over how commercial local TV stations serve their communities. In practice, many have focused on hyping ATSC 3.0 and national political coverage—such as President Trump's approval ratings—rather than addressing neighborhood-specific issues. This shift has left a void in local news that nonprofit foundations are stepping in to fill. By donating or subscribing to local news outlets directly, readers can ensure reliable news and reduce political propaganda hitting mayoral, council, county executive, state legislature, congressional, and gubernatorial races this midterm elections season.

The problem is that you would not get this content on local TV, given that in 2026 companies like Gray, Scripps, Sinclair, and Nexstar have primarily focused on national content since the ownership cap from the FCC has lifted. The argument goes that lifting the ownership cap will increase local news content, but that is not how it goes in practice. In reality, it favors national content because that is what brings in the profits for a commercial operation. As Dak Dillon wrote in a recent op-ed, "Here's the uncomfortable question for any news director defending the format: why is a local station spending five minutes reading national headlines that every viewer already saw on their phone before the newscast even started? That segment made sense when a local affiliate was one of the only ways to find out what happened in Washington that day. It doesn't make sense anymore. Viewers have the national news at 5:30, a dozen news apps, cable, social feeds, more ways to get the same information than any local newsroom can compete with. 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."

To truly get local news, one must turn to nonprofit statewide outlets like CalMatters, regional organizations like Bay City News, or neighborhood-specific news like Mission Local and Open Vallejo. These outlets cover issues important at the local level and help their specific communities. If news deserts can exist in San Francisco of all places due to local TV stations spending more time on national issues because that's where the profit is, then consider how it affects suburbs and small towns in other parts of the country where representation is either little stories or not represented at all.

Nonprofit newsrooms across the country are filling the gap. The San Francisco Public Press publishes independent public-interest journalism on under-covered topics, while the Vallejo Sun focuses on democracy, politics, and government in Solano County. The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative strengthens local news in the San Joaquin Valley. National networks like States Newsroom provide state-focused coverage from every capital, and the Institute for Nonprofit News supports over 500 independent news organizations. Civic News Company, parent of Chalkbeat, Votebeat, and Healthbeat, covers education, elections, and public health locally. LION Publishers helps independent news publishers build sustainable businesses.

Donating to these outlets ensures that democracy, free speech, and reliable information prevail during times of uncertainty at the local level. Sharing donations on social media is encouraged to raise awareness and inspire others to contribute. With midterm elections approaching, supporting nonprofit news is more critical than ever to counteract the homogenization of commercial media and preserve informed communities.