In this episode, we explore the critical role of local news in sustaining communities and democracy. Rebecca speaks with Melissa Milios Davis, network manager of Press Forward, and Darryl Holliday, co-founder of Commoner, about the findings of a new report on local journalism. Together, they discuss why philanthropy is stepping up to support newsrooms, how new models like Commoner are reshaping coverage, and what’s at stake if communities lose trusted sources of information. From funding challenges to innovative solutions, this conversation highlights the urgency—and the promise—of strengthening local news.

Paula Knudsen Burke, an attorney with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and Brittany Hailer, Director of Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism and an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh, talk about the lawsuit against an Allegheny County media policy, which says people working in the jail cannot contact media without first going through the county staff.

Resources from the interview include:

https://www.rcfp.org/litigation/hailer-v-allegheny-county/

SPJ on PIOs: https://www.spj.org/public-information-officers/

DC chapter of SPJ on PIOs: https://spjdc.org/pio-project/

Brechner Center paper: https://brechner.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Public-employee-gag-orders-Brechner-issue-brief-as-published-10-7-19.pdf

Join Rebecca Snyder as she hosts Alexander Pyles, the Associate Dean at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Pyles, who also serves as the mentor coordinator for the MDDC internship program, shares invaluable insights on how to excel as a mentor for young journalists. Whether you're involved with the MDDC program or guiding interns and early-career journalists in other contexts, this episode offers practical tips and heartwarming anecdotes on fostering reciprocal and meaningful mentorship relationships. Tune in to discover how to inspire and nurture the next generation of journalism leaders while enriching your own professional journey.