Statewide local news coalition rallies at Minnesota Capitol, calls for investment in news as essential civic infrastructure

"I’m here today because I believe that local journalism starts with student journalism. In order for young Minnesotans to see local journalism as essential community work, we need to teach them the accessibility and power in local news. And that starts with investments in media literacy and journalism education," said student journalist Anais Froberg-Martinez of Three-Sixty Journalism.

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

“I have to admit, it's a little odd for news organizations to be on stage talking about ourselves,” observed Steve Grove, publisher and CEO of the Minnesota Star Tribune during the Local News Rally at the Capitol on April 7. “Usually, we're out there reporting on what's happening at the Capitol, so that you and your districts and your constituents know what's happening. So this is a big deal. Actually, it's the first time, that I'm aware that news organizations have rallied together like this.” Grove stated, “We have to do new things if we want a different result. So that's really kind of the spirit that we're all here today to celebrate journalism, but also to reinstall our faith that we can do it in Minnesota, that this is a state where we actually can create a new model for local news, and part of that is having public support. Now you might be thinking: Wait, if taxpayer dollars are going to journalism, does that influence the content? Does that somehow change the equation for journalists doing the hard work of holding legislators accountable? It does not have to and in fact, in so many states, from Illinois to Connecticut to Maryland to California, laws have been passed that use these sort of market-based incentives to incentivize news organizations to hire more reporters, incentivize local businesses to advertise in local news organizations, things that really prevent any outside influence from influencing the coverage, but really grow the integrity of that news coverage. So it's a huge opportunity for us. … I think it's an important day. Really proud to stand alongside so many great news organizations here. You know, Minnesota has innovated before in this space, right? You're all aware of the Legacy Amendment, these small tax percentage add it up make a huge difference to arts and the environment. We can do the same type of innovation for news organizations, and I think it's time. We do live in an exceptional state, but we face an existential crisis to making sure an informed public knows what's happening here in St Paul unless we do different things, like many of the good ideas that are circulating the Capitol right now. We face a challenging future, but I'm optimistic, in part because we're here today.” (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Vince Brown of the Northeaster and Tesha M. Christensen of TMC Publications CO were among those representing newspapers at the April 7, 2026 Local News Rally at the Minnesota State Capitol. The True North News Alliance pulls together print, broadcast, radio and more, along with community leaders committed to strengthening local journalism across Minnesota.

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

"I’m here today because I believe that local journalism starts with student journalism. In order for young Minnesotans to see local journalism as essential community work, we need to teach them the accessibility and power in local news. And that starts with investments in media literacy and journalism education," said student journalist Anais Froberg-Martinez of Three-Sixty Journalism.

Michael Franklin of Momentum shares comments from Goodview Mayor Ben Klinger. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Minnesota Daily Executive Director and Co-PublisherCharlie Weaver (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Minnesota Newspaper Association Executive Director Lisa Hills (left) chats with Southwest Voices editor Melody Hoffmann during the Local News Rally at the State Capitol on April 7 that was organized by the True North News Alliance. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

“We all understand the importance of connecting and how the media is the way we connect with our communities, know what's happening with our neighbors, know what's happening in our state, our country, our world. We're seeing so many challenges in the news media now, economically making things work. We've understood since the founding of the nation the importance of this. When the US Postal Service was created, our nation's founders intentionally gave cheaper rates to the only way we had of communicating news, which was periodicals, much cheaper rates so they could afford to thrive. We've got to hang on to what we have, and we have to inspire the new sources of media that are coming around. That's what's so exciting – to see everybody working together,” said District 40 Senator John Marty, a Democrat, during the Local News Rally at the Capitol on April 7, 2026. He observed, “Just to show how frightening the times can be, the Washington Post has always had as a tagline for the newspaper: ‘Democracy dies in darkness.’ … Jeff Bezos has decided he's going to lay off most of the staff, and, in fact, he's turning off the lights. … And that's why it's so essential, not only that we hang on to what we have, but also we find new ways to bring media to others and the local community, things in Eden Prairie and Woodbury and so many other communities, along with the broadcasters, public broadcasters, everybody together. … “I'm just so thrilled to see everybody working together, because we have a common interest in making our democracy thrive and making our communities thrive, and so keep up the good work. Keep working together.” (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

The True North News Alliance is powered by a diverse steering committee of organizations committed to strengthening local journalism across Minnesota.

“We create spaces for voices that are often missing from mainstream media, and we help our community stay informed in ways that feel relevant and accessible. Through that work, I've seen both the power and the challenge of community-rooted media. … This is why I believe in this coalition, the alliance is advancing 2026 legislative priorities, including a journalism Workforce Development bill, the Minnesota civic seal and a government advertising set aside model on policies already in place in other states,” said Yengyee Lor, True North News Alliance steering committee chair and 3HBC host.

During the True North News Alliance Rally at the Capitol on April 7, District 41A Representative Wayne Johnson, a Republican, observed that when he began his legislative career in 2016, his community had a printed newspaper that has since disappeared. He said he is grateful that he grew up in a southeastern Minnesota town with a newspaper. “That's how we found out what everybody did, such and such went to the cities this weekend, and such and such is doing this. It's how we remained connected. And so we need to come up with ways that we continue that connection, whether it's digital or whether it's newspapers,” he said, and that’s why he co-authored a bipartisan bill that would create journalism internships as part of a workforce pipeline bill through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development that is before the legislature this spring. “Hopefully we can get through so we have a plan and a path going forward, because the worst thing we could do is let our newspapers fade away,” said Johnson. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)