Current (https://current.org/series/local-that-works)
Local That Works is an award, database and series of stories highlighting initiatives at nonprofit and public media organizations to be more local, relevant, engaging and sustainable.
Mike Janssen, Digital Editor | Stations and nonprofit news organizations have submitted more than 300 projects to our Local That Works competitions. See what they’ve been up to and steal their ideas.
Karen Everhart, Managing Editor | “We have never produced a product that people were this excited about and wanted this much,” says Scott Lewis, VOSD’s chief editor.
Karen Everhart, Managing Editor | Seven public stations wanted to demonstrate the difference public media could make in responding to a statewide epidemic. The content has helped generate more than 31,000 calls to a 1-800 help line.
Karen Everhart, Managing Editor | Wichita is a ”big little city with real issues and ambitions,” says Sarah Jane Crespo. She created events where listeners learn about and discuss issues affecting the city.
Tyler Falk, Reporter | The Detroit station’s “Framed” series aims to “reflect the lives of the people we’re here to serve.”
Karen Everhart, Managing Editor | For the first time, a nonprofit news organization and a statewide public TV collaboration advance to the winner’s round.
Julie Drizin, Executive Director | Tell Current what your station is doing to become more engaging, relevant, sustainable and local, and you could win fame and fortune.
“We’re basically raising the next generation of WTMD listeners at the shows,” said Sam Sessa, WTMD’s Baltimore music coordinator.
“It makes me really hopeful to see collaborations like this happen because they help us accomplish more than … we’d be able to alone,” says Rory Linnane, lead reporter of “Kids in Crisis” for USA Today Network-Wisconsin.
The station’s Community Voices project has made its programming more diverse while also helping to grow revenue.