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Podcast | Jul 7, 2026

Lenfest Institute CEO Jim Friedlich on What’s Working in Local News: Beneficial Ownership Combined with Strong User Revenues Jim Friedlich of the Lenfest Institute discusses the transformation of The Philadelphia Inquirer, how AI is reshaping the future of journalism and what an ecosystem approach to local news looks like.

In the sixth episode of the State of Local News Podcast, host Tim Franklin—Professor, John M. Mutz Chair in Local News, and founding director of the Medill Local News Initiative—speaks with Jim Friedlich, CEO of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Friedlich joins Tim Franklin on the State of Local News Podcast to reflect on the Lenfest Institute’s decade-long journey to becoming one of the most influential journalism organizations in the country: investing more than $117...

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Podcast | Jun 22, 2026

Axios Local's Holly Moore on Newsletters, Networks, AI and the “Whole Buffalo”

In the fifth episode of the State of Local News Podcast, host Tim Franklin—Professor, John M. Mutz Chair in Local News, and founding director of the Medill Local News Initiative—speaks with Holly Moore, Executive Editor of Axios Local. Moore joins Tim Franklin on the State of Local News Podcast to discuss Axios Local’s evolution from a single acquired newsletter in Charlotte to a rapidly expanding local news network serving 37 markets across the United States,...

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Podcast | May 27, 2026

NPR CEO Katherine Maher Discusses Recent Restructuring and Adapting to Federal Defunding

In the fourth episode of the State of Local News Podcast, host Tim Franklin—Professor, John M. Mutz Chair in Local News, and founding director of the Medill Local News Initiative—speaks with Katherine Maher, President and CEO of NPR. Maher joins Tim Franklin on the State of Local News Podcast to discuss the rapidly shifting landscape of public media amid federal funding cuts, audience fragmentation, and technological disruption. Maher outlines NPR’s restructuring efforts, the importance of...

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Podcast | May 4, 2026

Chuck Todd on rebuilding trust through local news

In the third episode of the State of Local News Podcast, host Tim Franklin—Professor, John M. Mutz Chair in Local News, and founding director of the Medill Local News Initiative—speaks with veteran journalist and podcaster Chuck Todd. They discuss the erosion of trust in national media and how it ties into the decline of local news. Todd shares insights from his recent conversations with local news entrepreneurs, exploring emerging business models, the role of community...

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Podcast | Apr 14, 2026

Ben Cotton on lessons at the New York Times on growing digital subscriptions

In the second episode of the State of Local News Podcast, host Tim Franklin—Professor, John M. Mutz Chair in Local News, and founding director of the Medill Local News Initiative—speaks with Ben Cotton, General Manager for News at The New York Times. They discuss how the Times has grown its digital audience through a subscription-first strategy, the rise of product bundles like games, cooking, and sports; and how video, creators, and shifting audience habits are...

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Podcast | Mar 24, 2026

Steve Grove on AI, Building Trust and Reinventing the Minnesota Star Tribune Introducing the Medill State of Local News Podcast with Tim Franklin

In the inaugural episode of the Medill State of Local News Podcast, host Tim Franklin—Professor, John M. Mutz Chair in Local News, and founding director of the Medill Local News Initiative—speaks with Steve Grove, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune. They discuss Grove’s unconventional journey from Google executive to leading one of the nation’s largest regional newsrooms, the Star Tribune’s approach to rebuilding trust during Operation Metro Surge and how AI, shifting audience...

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