Community
Stay informed about local news, initiatives, and the people who make our community thrive.
Local funding for community events and public services faces an uncertain 2026 future.
Over the past year, Iola's Bowlus Fine Arts Center hosted 40 major events, drawing visitors from 11 states and serving over 10,000 patrons.
Local Journalism's Role in Civic Engagement: Erosion and Restoration
The United States' press freedom ranking plummeted 20 spots in five years, landing at 64th globally, according to USA Today .
AI adoption by local governments presents ethical quandaries in 2026.
A majority of local US policymakers anticipate significant societal risks from artificial intelligence (AI) over the next decades, including increased surveillance, misinformation, and political polar
Local volunteerism is key to stronger, more resilient communities
In a single year, formal volunteers in the U.S. contributed over 4.1 billion hours of service, generating an estimated economic value of $122.9 billion. This substantial effort, documented by the Census Bureau, highlights the profound and often overlooked impact of dedicated individuals on the nation's well-being and economic stability. These contributions are a testament to the importance of local volunteerism in strengthening communities.
Local Businesses Are The True Economic Engine For Community Growth
In the past year, 90% of small business owners didn't just run their companies; they donated money to local groups, charities, and schools.
Community support is key to sustaining local journalism in 2026.
Over 2,500 local newspapers have closed since 2004, leaving millions of Americans in 'news deserts' where reliable local reporting no longer exists.
Local News Collapse Threatens Democracy, Leaving Communities Vulnerable
The United States has lost 2,100 newspapers in the past 15 years, leaving at least 1,800 communities without a local news outlet, according to Agorajournalism Center .
Local Journalism's Accountability Role Is Threatened, Jeopardizing Informed Citizenship
Since 2023, a public investment in California has placed over 110 journalists who have collectively reported more than 10,000 stories, reaching 90 percent of the state's population, according to berke
Local bureaucracy creates hurdles for affordable housing
A Tallahassee property owner recently saw rehab costs jump a staggering 30%.
Local news is vital for community accountability and information.
Slippery Rock University student Josie Hart recently completed a media writing project, producing five original articles about her hometown of Greenville and the nearby Slippery Rock area.
Local government budget cuts will cripple public services without transparency in 2026.
Mayor Wu proposed a 27 percent cut to the FY27 budget for the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture, leaving programs in limbo despite calls for greater fiscal transparency, according to the Boston Art Rev
Local businesses can fund emergency services without breaking the bank.
In Springfield, a volunteer fire department serving a bustling commercial district nearly shut down last year.
Cities Hide Budgets, Eroding Trust: The 2026 Transparency Crisis Looms.
In Boston, a $1.4 million payroll cut for the Transportation Department was initially approved, only to be reallocated at the eleventh hour to save social services, revealing the high-stakes, last-min
Orlando's Historic Preservation Board review suspended
On June 8, the Orlando City Council advanced an ordinance to suspend all Historic Preservation Board review for three years across its Downtown Historic District, including for demolitions.
Resilient infrastructure for inland flood mitigation is vital by 2026.
In Montego Bay, rainfall exceeded 350 millimeters in just 24 hours, causing the Montego River to swell to a 500-year return period flow, according to the Jamaica Information Service .
Tourism's Hidden Cost: How It's Erasing Your Town's Identity
Despite town officials' assurances that a surge in visitors ultimately supports local businesses, the 75-year-old 'Corner Bakery,' a cherished community staple, was replaced last month by a chain coff
Youth mental health initiatives will fail without local trust.
At just 18, while studying at Harvard, Tom Osborn founded Africa's largest youth mental health provider, reaching over 100,000 young people annually, according to Child Mind Institute .
Pharmacies' evolving public health role: Who's watching?
In a rural county where the nearest public health clinic is an hour's drive, 85% of residents now receive their annual flu shot at their local pharmacy—a service unavailable just five years ago.
Local Budget Processes: Rigged, With Suppressed Citizen Scrutiny
Councilors in some local governments are explicitly barred from asking questions during budget presentations that demand background or longer responses, reports Concord Monitor .
Local businesses are building community resilience and identity
In a small Vermont town, a single independent bookstore hosts more community events annually than the local library and town hall combined.
Community support for mental health crisis services is failing in 2026.
Federal student loan policies, including the elimination of Grad PLUS loans and new borrowing limits, are creating significant barriers to financing graduate education for social work students, direct
Midsize Cities See Slow AI Adoption Amid Public Service Concerns
The Falmouth Select Board is set to consider its first-ever AI policy for town government this year, signaling a new era where even midsize cities grapple with smart technology’s implications, accordi
AI Travel Planners Threaten Authentic Experiences
A tourist's anticipated trek to Peru's 'Sacred Canyon of Humantay' ended abruptly when they found themselves stranded on a rural road, with no guide and no such destination existing.
Local journalism's decline erodes community ties and accountability
Montclair's Township Council is considering a $52,500 contract for a community engagement platform that culls social media, even as local newsrooms shrink.
Local volunteers save communities billions
Between September 2022 and 2023, over 75.
Racine's 2026 Budget Passes: Lower Rate, Higher Levy
In Racine, Wisconsin, the Common Council approved a 2026 budget that reduces the property tax rate to $11.
Santa Monica's Tourism Boom Threatens Neighborhoods, But a Solution Exists.
Despite generating an estimated $917 million in annual spending for its local economy, Santa Monica faces a projected structural General Fund operating deficit of $29.
Commercialization is changing local festivals, eroding community identity.
At the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, over 70% of attendees now come from out-of-state, a stark increase from 40% two decades ago, fundamentally shifting who the festival serves (City of New Or
Top 5 Community Initiatives & Volunteer Opportunities in 2026
Philadelphia's District Attorney's Office just poured $500,000 into 46 local non-profits, directly funding summer camps and athletic programs for youth.
Tulsa Imposes Moratorium on New Data Centers Until 2026
Despite a citywide moratorium on new data center developments in Tulsa, Project Anthem remains exempt.