Nine public media stations are each receiving $100,000 grants from Press Forward to help close persistent news coverage gaps in their communities.
The grants, which provide general operating support, are part of a $20 million funding round for 205 news outlets from the nationwide initiative to strengthen local news.
The pubcasters are KCAW Raven Radio in Sitka, Alaska; KDLL in Kenai, Alaska; KUCB in Unalaska, Alaska; Redwood Community Radio (KMUD) in Redway, Calif.; KVNF Mountain Grown Community Radio in Paonia, Colo.; Indiana Public Broadcasting News in Indianapolis; WTIP North Shore Community Radio in Grand Marais, Minn.; KZUM Community Radio in Lincoln, Neb.; and WJFF Radio Catskill in Liberty, N.Y.
Press Forward ended up funding twice as many news organizations as it had expected to through its first open call because of the quality and number of proposals, a news release said.
The 205 recipients were selected out of 931 proposals from newsrooms with budgets of less than $1 million, the release said.
Press Forward encompasses more than 60 funders committed to investing more than $500 million into local newsrooms and advancing policy that helps access to and infrastructure for local news.
“These newsrooms are proof that we are seeing a moment of transformation, where new and longstanding leaders are stepping up to create a new story for local news,” Press Forward Director Dale R. Anglin said in the release. “Each of these newsrooms plays a vital public service role in its community — providing trustworthy local news and information in places where no other sources may exist. Independent newsrooms need community support to survive. We hope that more people will subscribe and donate to them.”