Local Matters Newsletter
@localmatters.bsky.social
A free weekly newsletter, curating the best in U.S. local journalism. By Joey Cranney, Brett Murphy, Bethany Barnes and Lulu Ramadan. Sponsored by Investigative Reporters & Editors and the Knight Foundation 📰 https://linktr.ee/lmattersnews
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Hello! Feeling so much gratitude this week for local news 🗞️🥰
We are off for the holiday but the letter will return next Sunday!
As always, don’t be shy. Pitch us your great investigations!!
Email [email protected]
The note can be this simple: Hi! For your consideration [link]
— So-and-So
We are off for the holiday but the letter will return next Sunday!
As always, don’t be shy. Pitch us your great investigations!!
Email [email protected]
The note can be this simple: Hi! For your consideration [link]
— So-and-So
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
Hello! Feeling so much gratitude this week for local news 🗞️🥰
We are off for the holiday but the letter will return next Sunday!
As always, don’t be shy. Pitch us your great investigations!!
Email [email protected]
The note can be this simple: Hi! For your consideration [link]
— So-and-So
We are off for the holiday but the letter will return next Sunday!
As always, don’t be shy. Pitch us your great investigations!!
Email [email protected]
The note can be this simple: Hi! For your consideration [link]
— So-and-So
November 26, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Hello! Feeling so much gratitude this week for local news 🗞️🥰
We are off for the holiday but the letter will return next Sunday!
As always, don’t be shy. Pitch us your great investigations!!
Email [email protected]
The note can be this simple: Hi! For your consideration [link]
— So-and-So
We are off for the holiday but the letter will return next Sunday!
As always, don’t be shy. Pitch us your great investigations!!
Email [email protected]
The note can be this simple: Hi! For your consideration [link]
— So-and-So
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
Investigation here: www.themarshallproject.org/2025/11/06/r...
How an Ohio Youth Treatment Center Tried to End Escalating Violence
A year after taking over Mohican Young Star Academy, new owners and leadership face questions from workers, police and neighbors about its direction.
www.themarshallproject.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Investigation here: www.themarshallproject.org/2025/11/06/r...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
Lucas County’s juvenile court is reconsidering its relationship with Ashland County youth treatment center Mohican Young Star Academy after being made aware of The Marshall Project reporting that detailed fights inside the facility.
www.toledoblade.com/local/politi...
www.toledoblade.com/local/politi...
Juvenile court reconsiders placement at youth treatment center after recent reports of fighting
Lucas County’s juvenile court is reconsidering its relationship with an Ashland County youth treatment center after being made aware of recent reporting ...
www.toledoblade.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Lucas County’s juvenile court is reconsidering its relationship with Ashland County youth treatment center Mohican Young Star Academy after being made aware of The Marshall Project reporting that detailed fights inside the facility.
www.toledoblade.com/local/politi...
www.toledoblade.com/local/politi...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
Thank you @localmatters.bsky.social! Subscribe to their incredible newsletter here: linktr.ee/lmattersnews
November 23, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Thank you @localmatters.bsky.social! Subscribe to their incredible newsletter here: linktr.ee/lmattersnews
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
Chronicle investigation leads to multi-state insurance probe.
Five Western states including California launch probe into underinsurance
California and four other states are investigating the problem of wildfire survivors not having enough insurance to rebuild their homes after a Chronicle investigation exposed the depth of the...
www.sfchronicle.com
July 3, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Chronicle investigation leads to multi-state insurance probe.
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
EXCLUSIVE: Baltimore's comptroller has asked the city inspector general to investigate after 11 News Investigates uncovered financial discrepancies at one of the state's biggest nonprofits.
Officials say the nonprofit may have broken state laws and could face a $20K fine. 👇
Officials say the nonprofit may have broken state laws and could face a $20K fine. 👇
May 21, 2025 at 8:53 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Baltimore's comptroller has asked the city inspector general to investigate after 11 News Investigates uncovered financial discrepancies at one of the state's biggest nonprofits.
Officials say the nonprofit may have broken state laws and could face a $20K fine. 👇
Officials say the nonprofit may have broken state laws and could face a $20K fine. 👇
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
IRE's AccessFest Conference returns this fall, with a major gift to celebrate our 50th birthday!
Registration is just $50 right now for all attendees. We’re honored to have @slooterman.bsky.social and @wendyluwrites.bsky.social join us for the keynote conversation. www.ire.org/2025-accessf...
Registration is just $50 right now for all attendees. We’re honored to have @slooterman.bsky.social and @wendyluwrites.bsky.social join us for the keynote conversation. www.ire.org/2025-accessf...
IRE’s AccessFest Conference returns online this October - Investigative Reporters & Editors
The AccessFest Conference will be Oct. 9-11, 2025, featuring keynote speakers Sara Luterman of the 19th and Wendy Lu of the New York Times.
www.ire.org
May 15, 2025 at 10:17 PM
IRE's AccessFest Conference returns this fall, with a major gift to celebrate our 50th birthday!
Registration is just $50 right now for all attendees. We’re honored to have @slooterman.bsky.social and @wendyluwrites.bsky.social join us for the keynote conversation. www.ire.org/2025-accessf...
Registration is just $50 right now for all attendees. We’re honored to have @slooterman.bsky.social and @wendyluwrites.bsky.social join us for the keynote conversation. www.ire.org/2025-accessf...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
A judge ordered Columbus County to respond to our longstanding public records requests related to alleged corruption and other misconduct. www.theassemblync.com/politics/cou... #ncpol
Judge Orders Columbus County Sheriff to Release Additional Records
At a hearing on our ongoing records suit, the judge directed the county to grant access to public records about former sheriff Jody Greene.
www.theassemblync.com
May 15, 2025 at 11:21 AM
A judge ordered Columbus County to respond to our longstanding public records requests related to alleged corruption and other misconduct. www.theassemblync.com/politics/cou... #ncpol
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
A new investigation from TMP-C and Scott Noll at WEWS. She went to jail pregnant. What happened next isn't even a statistic. Why didn't Cuyahoga County tell Ohio offcials about a pregancy loss? Because the fetus was not incarcerated. www.themarshallproject.org/2025/05/15/c...
How Sheriffs Fail to Report Miscarriages, Stillbirths In Ohio Jails
One woman’s pregnancy ended in the Cuyahoga County Jail amid ignored cries for help and an ‘egregious performance failure’ by medical staff.
www.themarshallproject.org
May 15, 2025 at 12:11 PM
A new investigation from TMP-C and Scott Noll at WEWS. She went to jail pregnant. What happened next isn't even a statistic. Why didn't Cuyahoga County tell Ohio offcials about a pregancy loss? Because the fetus was not incarcerated. www.themarshallproject.org/2025/05/15/c...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
New from me and @meganmunce.bsky.social - California government officials have called a hearing on widespread, algorithm-driven underinsurance among wildfire victims, citing our @sfchronicle.com investigation into the issue.
Gift link: www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
Gift link: www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
A ‘silent threat’: California officials announce hearing into wildfire victim underinsurance following Chronicle investigation
A state board plans to hold a hearing on potential legislation to address underinsurance caused by flawed algorithms, unearthed by Chronicle reporting.
www.sfchronicle.com
May 12, 2025 at 2:33 PM
New from me and @meganmunce.bsky.social - California government officials have called a hearing on widespread, algorithm-driven underinsurance among wildfire victims, citing our @sfchronicle.com investigation into the issue.
Gift link: www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
Gift link: www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
Proud of colleagues like @koriedean.bsky.social, who work hard to reveal things a lot of people in power would like to keep shrouded in darkness.
May 3, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Proud of colleagues like @koriedean.bsky.social, who work hard to reveal things a lot of people in power would like to keep shrouded in darkness.
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
A $300k state grant was stolen, so nearly everyone at this Hartford nonprofit that has received $8 million in state aid this year was laid off.
Leaders of the org didn't tell the state or their board of the theft for 3 months.
www.ctpost.com/connecticut/...
Leaders of the org didn't tell the state or their board of the theft for 3 months.
www.ctpost.com/connecticut/...
CT demands Hartford nonprofit return state aid amid theft concerns
Leaders of a Hartford nonprofit waited months to notify state officials of an alleged cyber theft of $300,000 in taxpayer-funded grants, records show.
www.ctpost.com
April 24, 2025 at 1:08 PM
A $300k state grant was stolen, so nearly everyone at this Hartford nonprofit that has received $8 million in state aid this year was laid off.
Leaders of the org didn't tell the state or their board of the theft for 3 months.
www.ctpost.com/connecticut/...
Leaders of the org didn't tell the state or their board of the theft for 3 months.
www.ctpost.com/connecticut/...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
Just phenomenal reporting here by @pennlive.com on how Cody Balmer may never have been arrested had he not been so willing to give himself up. www.pennlive.com/crime/2025/0...
Suspect in attack on Pa. governor couldn’t get arrested despite 3 attempts to surrender
Cody Balmer called 911 to claim responsibility for setting fire to the Governor's Residence within an hour of the attack. He later walked to a police station, where he was turned away.
www.pennlive.com
April 21, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Just phenomenal reporting here by @pennlive.com on how Cody Balmer may never have been arrested had he not been so willing to give himself up. www.pennlive.com/crime/2025/0...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
Brace yourselves, then read this story by
Lauren Peace. It's heart-wrenching but proud of @tampabaytimes.bsky.social for drawing attention to domestic violence. I hope it inspires lawmakers and police to figure out a better way to handle situations like this one. www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2...
Lauren Peace. It's heart-wrenching but proud of @tampabaytimes.bsky.social for drawing attention to domestic violence. I hope it inspires lawmakers and police to figure out a better way to handle situations like this one. www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2...
April 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Brace yourselves, then read this story by
Lauren Peace. It's heart-wrenching but proud of @tampabaytimes.bsky.social for drawing attention to domestic violence. I hope it inspires lawmakers and police to figure out a better way to handle situations like this one. www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2...
Lauren Peace. It's heart-wrenching but proud of @tampabaytimes.bsky.social for drawing attention to domestic violence. I hope it inspires lawmakers and police to figure out a better way to handle situations like this one. www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
A state investigator raised questions about how much school leaders knew about a scheme to defraud Tulsa Public Schools of at least $800,000 before they notified the police, documents show.
Before embezzlement scheme was revealed, Tulsa schools executives secretly planned departure of the man involved
A state investigator raised questions about how much school leaders knew about a scheme to defraud Tulsa Public Schools of at least $800,000 before they notified the police, documents show.
www.readfrontier.org
April 17, 2025 at 5:09 PM
A state investigator raised questions about how much school leaders knew about a scheme to defraud Tulsa Public Schools of at least $800,000 before they notified the police, documents show.
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
Can confirm @localmatters.bsky.social is the best - encourage anyone who can to chip in $5 a month to recognize the great work of volunteers!
Giving a shout-out to the @localmatters.bsky.social newsletter, which consistently delivers the best journalism from local news across the U.S., you can sign up for the once a week email here visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin... or follow 'em on BlueSky
Local Matters Newsletter (@localmatters.bsky.social)
A free weekly newsletter, curating the best in U.S. local journalism. By Joey Cranney, Brett Murphy, Bethany Barnes and Lulu Ramadan. Sponsored by Investigative Reporters & Editors and the Knight Foun...
localmatters.bsky.social
April 15, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Can confirm @localmatters.bsky.social is the best - encourage anyone who can to chip in $5 a month to recognize the great work of volunteers!
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
Giving a shout-out to the @localmatters.bsky.social newsletter, which consistently delivers the best journalism from local news across the U.S., you can sign up for the once a week email here visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin... or follow 'em on BlueSky
Local Matters Newsletter (@localmatters.bsky.social)
A free weekly newsletter, curating the best in U.S. local journalism. By Joey Cranney, Brett Murphy, Bethany Barnes and Lulu Ramadan. Sponsored by Investigative Reporters & Editors and the Knight Foun...
localmatters.bsky.social
April 13, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Giving a shout-out to the @localmatters.bsky.social newsletter, which consistently delivers the best journalism from local news across the U.S., you can sign up for the once a week email here visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin... or follow 'em on BlueSky
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
“Florida’s legislature needs to act immediately to stop the pollution of our waterways.”
www.tampabay.com/investigatio...
www.tampabay.com/investigatio...
Florida must act quickly to stop water pollution, federal lawmakers urge
After a Times investigation found rising contamination, congressional leaders sound alarm.
www.tampabay.com
April 9, 2025 at 5:09 PM
“Florida’s legislature needs to act immediately to stop the pollution of our waterways.”
www.tampabay.com/investigatio...
www.tampabay.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
Scoop from me: Emails first obtained by @orlandoweekly.bsky.social show that staff in Florida Gov. DeSantis' office drafted legislation for Republican lawmakers to file this year that aims to roll back certain child labor protections for workers as young as 14. www.orlandoweekly.com/news/florida...
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed for child labor rollbacks behind the scenes, records show
Email communications first obtained by Orlando Weekly through a public records request show that staffers from DeSantis's office emailed draft legislation for Republican lawmakers to file.
www.orlandoweekly.com
April 8, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Scoop from me: Emails first obtained by @orlandoweekly.bsky.social show that staff in Florida Gov. DeSantis' office drafted legislation for Republican lawmakers to file this year that aims to roll back certain child labor protections for workers as young as 14. www.orlandoweekly.com/news/florida...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
NEW: Florida touts spending millions of dollars to reduce water pollution. But the efforts aren’t working.
Instead, hundreds of waterways have become dangerously contaminated.
From the amazing Zack Sampson, Shreya Vuttaluru and Bethany Barnes:
project.tampabay.com/investigatio...
Instead, hundreds of waterways have become dangerously contaminated.
From the amazing Zack Sampson, Shreya Vuttaluru and Bethany Barnes:
project.tampabay.com/investigatio...
Wasting Away: Rampant pollution caused manatees to starve. Florida waters are getting worse.
A Times analysis of millions of water samples found dangerous contamination across the state.
project.tampabay.com
April 2, 2025 at 4:24 PM
NEW: Florida touts spending millions of dollars to reduce water pollution. But the efforts aren’t working.
Instead, hundreds of waterways have become dangerously contaminated.
From the amazing Zack Sampson, Shreya Vuttaluru and Bethany Barnes:
project.tampabay.com/investigatio...
Instead, hundreds of waterways have become dangerously contaminated.
From the amazing Zack Sampson, Shreya Vuttaluru and Bethany Barnes:
project.tampabay.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
NEW INVESTIGATION: California is facing an underinsurance crisis, as wildfire survivors struggle to rebuild their homes.
Insurers often blame homeowners for this crisis. But as
@meganmunce.bsky.social & I found, the companies are largely responsible. Read more tinyurl.com/39pdydwj
Insurers often blame homeowners for this crisis. But as
@meganmunce.bsky.social & I found, the companies are largely responsible. Read more tinyurl.com/39pdydwj
A broken system is keeping California homes underinsured. Millions are at risk
California's biggest insurance companies are using faulty algorithms and flawed processes to estimate rebuilding costs — leaving millions of homeowners unprotected from disaster.
tinyurl.com
April 2, 2025 at 3:15 PM
NEW INVESTIGATION: California is facing an underinsurance crisis, as wildfire survivors struggle to rebuild their homes.
Insurers often blame homeowners for this crisis. But as
@meganmunce.bsky.social & I found, the companies are largely responsible. Read more tinyurl.com/39pdydwj
Insurers often blame homeowners for this crisis. But as
@meganmunce.bsky.social & I found, the companies are largely responsible. Read more tinyurl.com/39pdydwj
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
The depth of reporting from Tampa Bay Times journalists Zachary T. Sampson, Shreya Vuttaluru and Bethany Barnes is stunning and extraordinary. : #WastingAway gets to the heart of why Florida’s gentle giants – the manatees – have been perishing. A MUST READ.
project.tampabay.com/investigatio...
project.tampabay.com/investigatio...
Wasting Away: Rampant pollution caused manatees to starve. Florida waters are getting worse.
A Times analysis of millions of water samples found dangerous contamination across the state.
project.tampabay.com
April 2, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The depth of reporting from Tampa Bay Times journalists Zachary T. Sampson, Shreya Vuttaluru and Bethany Barnes is stunning and extraordinary. : #WastingAway gets to the heart of why Florida’s gentle giants – the manatees – have been perishing. A MUST READ.
project.tampabay.com/investigatio...
project.tampabay.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
So @garrettshanley.bsky.social, the Univ of Florida student journalist who broke the Ben Sasse scandal wide open, has another banger today about Florida's surgeon general, who has almost nothing to show for his six-figure, second job as a tenured prof at UF
www.alligator.org/article/2025...
www.alligator.org/article/2025...
April 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
So @garrettshanley.bsky.social, the Univ of Florida student journalist who broke the Ben Sasse scandal wide open, has another banger today about Florida's surgeon general, who has almost nothing to show for his six-figure, second job as a tenured prof at UF
www.alligator.org/article/2025...
www.alligator.org/article/2025...
Reposted by Local Matters Newsletter
In response to @sfchronicle.com investigation of for-profit psych hospitals, a California lawmaker has introduced legislation to urgently set minimum staffing rules.
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
California lawmaker proposes ‘emergency’ staffing rule in psychiatric hospitals following Chronicle investigation
A state Senator has called dangerous conditions in the for-profit psychiatric hospitals an “emergency” and proposed legislation to fast-track new rules
www.sfchronicle.com
March 29, 2025 at 12:47 AM
In response to @sfchronicle.com investigation of for-profit psych hospitals, a California lawmaker has introduced legislation to urgently set minimum staffing rules.
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...