Six local media outlets unite to strengthen community-focused news in the Tallahassee region
Press Forward North Florida, an initiative of the Community Foundation of North Florida, is proud to announce the launch of the Capital Region News Collaborative — a coalition of six local news organizations joining forces to provide deeper, community-centered reporting on issues that matter most to the region.
The six founding news outlets — WCTV, WTXL, WFSU Public Media, The Tallahassee Democrat, Capital Outlook, and Tallahassee Reports — will work together to expand in-depth reporting that strengthens civic connection and community understanding.
“While the Press Forward national initiative sets a powerful framework for change, it is through local chapters like Press Forward North Florida that meaningful impact takes shape. Efforts like the Capital Region News Collaborative strengthen local news and information in our community, helping build a more informed, connected, and civically engaged North Florida,” , “said Katrina Rolle, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of North Florida.
Through this collaboration, the Capital Region News Collaborative will host election forums covering this year’s city and county commission races, school board elections, and judicial contests. These events will be livestreamed by all participating outlets and made available on each partner’s YouTube channel and website, ensuring accessible and transparent civic coverage across the region.
Organizers note that Americans overwhelmingly identify local news as their most trusted and important source of information — a foundation of healthy democracy. Local News Day aims to reconnect residents with the community journalism that keeps them informed and holds leaders accountable.
“The Collaborative will help strengthen Tallahassee’s local news efforts and will help alert citizens to the importance of local news,” said Steve Stewart, Editor, Tallahassee Reports.
With a $1 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Press Forward North Florida seeks to bring together journalists, nonprofit leaders, educators, and community stakeholders to identify local information needs and co-create sustainable solutions that enhance civic engagement and strengthen trusted local news for years to come.
Founded with support from the Community Foundation of North Florida, this initiative reflects the Foundation’s mission to enhance the quality of life across North Florida through charitable giving. The Foundation serves as a convener, catalyst, and connector — helping donors support causes that illuminate and uplift community well-being.
I trust TR's judgement. Local news is a challenge. City, County and State information is beyond one purveyor. To TR's credit, "Comments", continues for their subscribers.
The one opportunity : To rant - enlighten and call truth to power.
I sure hope this works, we need better Honest Journalism. Will this be Online, in Print, on TV/Radio?