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 outsize 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 first poll, released Monday, shows a tight race for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat as voters choose bet

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

Cynthia DuBose, a seasoned journalist and media executive, will advance a growth model for journalism in Middle Georgia Cynthia DuBose, Executive Director, Georgia Trust for Local News The National Trust for Local News announced today that Cynthia DuBose, a veteran of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and McClatchy Media with extensive experience in driving transformative digital growth, will lead the Georgia Trust for Local News as its next executive director. DuBose takes

Jason Vorhees thought photography was his path to sports. It ended up becoming his path to Macon, Georgia, and a career in photojournalism. Vorhees is a native of Lancaster, Ohio. He didn’t pick up a camera until he was a freshman at Ohio University, after his father gave him a Canon AE1 for his high school graduation. Southwest senior CJ Howard (1) puts his head in his hands after the Patriots’ loss to Rabun County in the GHSA State Championship at the Macon Coliseum. Photo

To boost efforts to reach new audiences and increase social video production, the Georgia Trust for Local News (GTLN) recently partnered with Mercer University to offer a training session for GTLN reporters. Mercer University visual journalism professor Evey Wilson Wetherbee led the session, which focused on capturing, editing and distributing social video content. The interactive seminar, offered as part of a Google News Initiative and National Trust for Local News grant, i

As misinformation spreads across social media and beyond, the Maine Trust for Local News is combating false narratives with “Fact Briefs” — 150-word, yes-or-no explainers that have quickly become some of its most-read stories. The Maine Trust for Local News started publishing two briefs a week in May, and they have ranked among its best-read items, with more than 160,000 page views and 200,000 readers in about 10 months. Fact Briefs are an editorial product developed by Giga

Every March, two Georgia cities transform. Dublin goes green. Macon goes pink. And in both places, a local newspaper owned by the Georgia Trust for Local News is at the center of it. A St. Patrick's Parade float in Dublin, Ga. At The Courier Herald , that role stretches back decades. The paper has been involved in Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Festival since its first days , when a local radio host’s on-air Irish music and jokes grew into something bigger – a collaboration between t

The Maine Trust for Local News was a big winner in the 2025 Better Newspaper Competition presented by the New England Newspaper & Press Association. The professional trade organization announced the honorees at a banquet during the New England Newspaper Convention in March. Newsrooms across the Maine Trust, including The Portland Press Herald, Morning Sentinel and Sun Journal, earned multiple recognitions for reporting, photojournalism, columns, feature writing and advertisin

At the National Trust, we renew civic life by rebuilding local news. Our 70-plus local news brands are cornerstones of the communities they serve. As a founding partner of the inaugural Local News Day – a nationwide effort to reconnect communities with trusted local news sources – we’re proud to celebrate the impact of local news and its foundational role in civic engagement and democracy across our state trusts: Maine In recognition of Local News Day, and as a thank-you to r

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. Christopher Wheelock, business & enterprise reporter, Sun Journal The biggest stories of Christopher Wheelock’s 44-year career unfolded on the world stage. From a control room at CNN International, he helped produce the ne

Kevin Smalley is a long way from home. His family is on the East Coast. His personal and professional roots in New York State run deep – and as a suffering backer of the NFL’s Jets, he has the fandom to prove it. When he wound down the operations of a large Schenectady, N.Y., press in 2023, he was ready to retire and be a grandpa. Kevin Smalley, Production Director, The Trust Press But when you work in newspaper production for 38 years, it’s difficult to resist the call t

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. Leslie Bridgers' most recent column in the Portland Press Herald about a man who visited all 454 cities & towns in Maine -- all for something to say in his obituary. As a columnist for the Portland Press Herald, Leslie Bri