Two newspapers published by the National Trust for Local News’ subsidiary in Maine won the top prize in a prestigious regional competition. The Press Herald on won first place for New England Newspaper of the Year for large circulation weekday publications, and the Maine Sunday Telegram was announced as the first-place winner for large circulation Sunday publications. The Portland Press Herald won first place for New England Newspaper of the Year for large circulation weekday

New position is the fourth hire made by the Georgia Trust for Local News during its first 90 days of ownership Chuck Williams, new editor and publisher of the Ledger-Enquirer Columbus, Ga. – The Georgia Trust for Local News today announced that Chuck Williams, a highly respected Columbus journalist with more than 43 years of experience in print, broadcast and digital media, will return to the Ledger-Enquirer to take on the newly created role of editor and publisher. As editor

Life in Maine has changed significantly in the six years since the COVID-19 pandemic. Housing costs have risen, affordability has become a growing concern and Mainers are navigating challenges in healthcare, mental health access, jobs and the broader economic and political landscape. At the Maine Trust for Local News, those changes are something journalists like Portland Press Herald Managing Editor Julia Arenstam hear about from readers every day. “It’s a similar story acro

The National Trust for Local News’ mission comes to life through the work of the teams on the ground at each of our state trusts. In our ongoing Building the Trust feature, we highlight the people at the forefront of constructing a new model for local news. Reporter Sandra Hernandez of the Houston Home Journal For Sandra Hernandez, covering her hometown isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to tell the stories of the people, businesses and neighborhoods she has known all her life –

A recent national study counted how many local reporters are still working in American communities and what they cover. Among its troubling conclusions: Local coverage of education has dwindled to close to nothing. The 2026 Local Journalist Index, from Muck Rack and Rebuild Local News, reviewed 4.2 million articles published in the first three months of the year. Nearly 77% of U.S. counties produced zero education articles mentioning a local community during that stretch. Th

The new Press Herald+ app is live, putting all of the Maine Trust for Local News’ essential journalism in one convenient place. The app provides access to the latest news from across the state as well as mobile-optimized versions of digital replica e-editions for 11 Maine Trust publications. It allows users to customize their news feed to match their geographic preferences, provides the option to save articles for offline reading and incorporates dozens of puzzles. Beyond an

Donnell Suggs fell in love with newspapers as soon as he could read. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Suggs was carrying around a newspaper by age 10, relishing in the stats and news captured in the sports pages. “I knew I wanted to be a newspaper reporter from a very young age,” Suggs said. “I had no idea how to do it, but I knew I wanted to do it.” Now, after 20 years as a journalist, Suggs will bring his passion and experience to Dublin as editor and publisher of The Cou

The Colorado Trust for Local News took home multiple awards in the annual Colorado Press Association Better Newspaper Contest. The Colorado subsidiary of the National Trust for Local News publishes seven community-based weekly newspapers along the state’s Front Range and plains. Reporters for the seven weeklies consistently deliver in-depth, exclusive stories about issues that matter most to the communities they cover – providing essential news and information that otherwise

The National Trust for Local News is expanding to a fourth state with the acquisition of the Vermont Community Newspaper Group, a family of award-winning weekly newspapers and digital platforms covering more than a dozen northern Vermont communities. Thanks to a community-first decision by VTCNG’s owners, the National Trust will acquire five weekly newspapers and their websites serving more than a dozen communities in Northern Vermont. The titles are: The Stowe Reporter News

The state of Maine has been a primary focus of national media coverage this year given its outsized role in national politics. This month, the attention directed toward the Pine Tree State dramatically intensified. “The spotlight has been shining so brightly on our state, it’s at times blinding,” said Carolyn Fox, executive editor for the Maine Trust for Local News. Former U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks during a primary election night watch party June 9. It start

Dublin, Ga. – The Georgia Trust for Local News today purchased The Macon Telegraph and the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer in a landmark transaction that puts two storied papers under local control and nonprofit ownership. The Riverwalk in Columbus, Georgia The Telegraph has operated as a journalistic mainstay in Middle Georgia for 200 years and has a legacy of community-changing investigative journalism, including a Pulitzer Prize for specialized reporting. The Ledger-Enquirer has

“As Maine goes, so goes the nation.” That famous political adage has extra meaning during the 2026 election season, as Maine voters will play an outsized role in determining the balance of power in Washington. The Portland Press Herald is proud to collaborate with The New York Times and the Siena Research Institute to deliver several polls ahead of the critical 2026 elections. The Times/Siena polls are widely cited nationwide and across the world as a key indicator of how vot

The Georgia Press Association named several Georgia Trust for Local News publications winners of its 2026 Better Newspaper Contest. Georgia Trust journalists were recognized for excellence in business reporting, sports coverage, photography and more. The statewide organization announced the winners during its 139th Annual Convention earlier this month. “Access to quality, local-first news and information strengthens communities and builds connection,” said Cynthia DuBose, ex

In Maine, high school sports are a uniting force. Thousands flock to Bangor, Portland and Augusta for the annual statewide high school basketball tournament in February. For several days, often from early in the morning to late in the evening, the gyms are electric. Small-town businesses shut down for the occasion. The Hampden Academy softball team celebrates after winning their first regional title. For sports editor Bill Stewart’s team, it’s all hands on deck during all thr

Join us Thursday, June 25 at 4 p.m. ET for Ballots and Bylines: Politics Reporting and Impact in Maine and Georgia, a conversation with Trust editors on how they’re ramping up political coverage to empower voters. RSVP here. You’ll hear how the Maine Trust, the state’s largest news organization, and the Georgia Trust, with newsrooms across Middle Georgia, are serving their communities ahead of highly competitive elections. Local news is more trusted than national outlets and

June 9 marked Election Day in Maine, with key national and state primaries and local budget referendums on the ballot. As the Press Herald staff delivered live coverage and results, national platforms tapped into our reporters' deep expertise in state politics and the issues that matter to Mainers. Press Herald politics editor Kirby Wilson appeared on MS NOW, BBC Radio and Katie Couric's popular live video. Reporter Billy Kobin joined CNN to talk about the closely watched U.

It's Election Day in Maine, with key national and state primaries and local budget referendums on the ballot. That means it's all hands on deck for the Press Herald. After providing unlimited access to a comprehensive voter guide, the newsroom's focus today is on live coverage and results. The Press Herald's politics team is also sharing insights with national platforms. Politics editor Kirby Wilson appeared on MS NOW and reporter Billy Kobin joined CNN to talk about the clo

Herald the Hound, The Courier Herald's new Kids Corner mascot In Dublin, Tuesday mornings look a little different at the local elementary schools. That’s when Kyle Dominy, a reporter with The Courier Herald, walks through the door with a stack of newspapers, a practiced enthusiasm for letters and words, and a small stuffed hound dog named “Herald” tucked under his arm. The response from second graders is about what you’d expect: immediate, total chaos. “They were all over th

Even for the most informed voters, elections, referendums and ballot propositions can be complex. To simplify the process for readers, the Press Herald created a comprehensive digital voter guide — available to all, for free. The effort was ambitious. Press Herald staff surveyed hundreds of candidates running for office in 138 Maine elections. Over many weeks, staff reached out to those running for local, state and national races — everything from the Rangeley Board of Selec

Cynthia DuBose begins her new role as executive director of the Georgia Trust for Local News on June 1. A long-time leader with deep experience in driving transformative digital growth for local and national news organizations, DuBose brings a focus on innovation and community engagement to the role. She also has a strong belief in the importance of thriving local journalism. In a recent interview, DuBose shared more about her path to journalism, why the mission of the Georgi