In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Executive Editor Jim Johnson as he reflects on a 50-year career in journalism. From his early days in California to building and leading community newspapers in Maryland, Jim shares the lessons he’s learned about storytelling, newsroom leadership, and the enduring value of local news.

They discuss the realities of newspaper ownership—especially the financial and operational challenges brought on by the pandemic—and the unique dynamic of purchasing and running papers as a family venture. Jim also emphasizes the responsibility of developing young journalists, the importance of curiosity in reporting, and why community engagement remains at the heart of strong local news. As he transitions into more of a mentoring role, Jim reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave behind: a new generation of reporters committed to telling stories that matter.

In this episode, Rebecca is joined by Cheryl Thompson-Morton, head of advisory programs at the Lenfest Institute, to discuss the launch of the Lenfest Expert Network. Cheryl explains how the Institute—founded to steward The Philadelphia Inquirer and strengthen local journalism nationwide—has formalized its consulting expertise to better support newsrooms across the country.

They explore the biggest challenges facing local media today, including revenue generation, audience development, operational efficiency, and technology. Cheryl outlines how the Expert Network provides free, short-term consulting engagements with experienced news practitioners, helping news organizations prioritize strategies, build sustainable revenue models, and grow owned audiences in an era of declining platform traffic. The conversation also touches on Lenfest’s broader advisory work, communities of practice, and grant opportunities aimed at strengthening the future of local journalism.

In this episode, Rebecca is joined by Lauren Vella, principal of the Delaware office at Cornerstone Government Affairs, for a look ahead at what to expect from the Delaware General Assembly. They discuss leadership continuity, recent special sessions, and the governor’s priorities as lawmakers return for the second year of the two-year session. The conversation covers major issues likely to dominate the year, including the state budget, education funding and school district consolidation, housing affordability, property tax reassessments, energy costs, data centers, and healthcare oversight. Lauren also breaks down the political landscape heading into the 2026 election cycle and explains how federal action continues to shape state-level policymaking in Delaware.

MDDC partnered with the Baltimore Public Relations Council to host a timely panel discussion on how PR professionals and journalists can work smarter together in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Featuring insights from local news leaders at The AFRO News, Baltimore Fishbowl, and The Daily Record, this conversation covers earned media, newsroom realities, and what really matters to editors in 2026.

Since this episode recording, Sameer Rao has resigned from The Daily Record. If you’d like to reach Editorial Department of The Daily Record, e-mail Patrick Brannan, Managing Editor of The Daily Record at pbrannan@thedailyrecord.com.

In this episode, Kevin talks with Jeremy Merrill of The Washington Post about an ambitious investigation into how TikTok’s recommendation algorithm really works. Jeremy explains how he and his colleagues analyzed data from more than 1,000 volunteers and 15 million videos to better understand personalization, stickiness, and scale on the platform. They discuss what the data reveals about how feeds are shaped, why some content is harder to escape than others, and what this kind of reporting can—and can’t—tell us about influence, attention, and transparency in algorithm-driven media.

Read, "We teamed up with our audience to measure TikTok’s unmistakable draw..."
View this story's interactive map, "Are you in TikTok’s cat niche? What 121,000 videos reveal."
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In this episode, Rebecca talks with Max Mishkin of Ballard Spahr about the growing erosion of press freedoms and the legal challenges confronting journalists today. Max explains how changes in law, court decisions, and government practices are affecting public records access, source protection, and reporters’ ability to do their jobs. They discuss why these issues often fly under the radar, how local newsrooms are especially vulnerable, and what journalists should know about their rights as legal pressures continue to increase.

In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Kevin Berrier, marketing director at MDDC, for a wide-ranging conversation about why press associations exist and the role they play in sustaining local journalism. They reflect on the challenges and accomplishments of 2025, from revenue generation and advertising innovation to advocacy for press freedoms and public access to information. Kevin shares insights from his career on the business side of news, the evolving advertising landscape, and how tools like AI, training, and collaboration can help strengthen news organizations. The conversation also looks ahead to 2026, previewing new initiatives, partnerships, and strategies aimed at supporting members and reinforcing the power of the press.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Lorenzo Bellamy of The Bellamy Genn Group about what to expect from the upcoming Maryland legislative session. They walk through major leadership changes in the General Assembly, including a new Speaker of the House, new committee structures, and shifting dynamics between the House, Senate, and governor’s office. Lorenzo breaks down key issues likely to dominate the session—budget pressures, housing, data centers, AI, energy, and public safety—and explains how these debates may affect communities, businesses, and news media. The conversation also covers how constituents can engage effectively with lawmakers and why this session, coming in an election year, carries especially high stakes.