By Carol Robidoux, Manchester Ink Link
Granite State News Collaborative Executive Director Melanie Plenda and Ink Link News Publisher Carol Robidoux work the crowd at the inaugural Publishers’ Crawl at To Share Brewing.
MANCHESTER, NH — On a April 15 at To Share Brewing, something encouraging happened: people showed up to talk about local news.
More than 40 news enthusiasts answered the call for the first of several upcoming Granite State News Collaborative “Publisher’s Crawl” listening sessions.
In this case, the panel of experts were those who signed up and showed up, contributing their valuable time to talk about their individual news-consuming habits – which ranged from “casual” to “voracious,” and everything in between.
Lively conversation ensued.
Attendees broke into small groups, armed with “bingo cards” – each square reflecting a common sentiment about news consumption. As phrases surfaced organically “I get my news from Facebook,” “I feel overwhelmed by national news,” “No one explains local decisions clearly” – participants marked their cards.
Aside from a fun night out for the 40-plus attendees, there were prizes to be had for the most complete bingo cards, plus complimentary snacks and tasty To Share brews. But equally rewarding for the news professionals in the room doing the listening was what we heard – both revealing and, in some ways, reassuring.
If there’s a myth that people have tuned out local news, this group challenged it.
Participants described pulling information from a wide mix of sources – Facebook groups, local newspapers, television, radio, and town websites, often stitching together a full picture themselves.
The most frequently cited source? Facebook groups.
That doesn’t mean traditional outlets are irrelevant. Quite the opposite: local newspapers and TV remain widely used and trusted.
But no single source is doing it all.
What we heard: People aren’t disengaged; they’re doing extra work to stay informed.
Small groups talked about their own individual local news habits with editors and publishers, tasked with listening.
One of the more encouraging takeaways: trust in local news still exists. Many participants said they rely on and believe in local outlets. But that trust comes with caveats.
Some said their communities aren’t covered enough. Others pointed to a lack of clarity around local decisions – the “why it matters” piece that turns information into understanding. And several noted they would pay more attention if coverage felt more useful to their daily lives.
What we heard: The issue isn’t credibility. It’s relevance and clarity.
One sentiment that came up again and again, was that people are overwhelmed by national news. Nearly half of the completed cards reflected that feeling.
In a media environment dominated by urgency, conflict, and constant updates, participants expressed a desire for something different; something closer to home, more grounded, and directly connected to their lives.
What we heard: Local news isn’t competing with national news. It’s an antidote to it.
The conversations went beyond platforms and frustration points.
Participants talked about neighbors, community groups, and word-of-mouth as key sources of information. They shared story ideas. They pointed to gaps. They described communities that don’t always feel seen. This wasn’t passive consumption; it was participation.
What we heard: People don’t just want news about their community — they want to see themselves in it.
Annmarie Timmins of NHPR, in the white jacket, leads a group during News Bingo.
Perhaps the most striking takeaway: this was not a disengaged group.
Very few participants said they don’t follow local news or don’t know how to engage civically. Instead, what surfaced was an audience that is paying attention, but navigating gaps in how information is received. Some cited missed meetings because of work, difficulty finding school or youth sports information, and a sense that things are changing quickly without clear explanation. Many expressed an interest in deeper understanding of the issues that matter most to them.
What we heard: The audience is there. The opportunity is in how we serve it.
For publishers and editors participating in the Granite State News Collaborative’s statewide listening sessions, the message is both clear and actionable:
Meet people where they are — especially on social and in community spaces
Make coverage more useful — clearer, more practical, more connected to daily life
Reflect the full community — not just the loudest voices
Reinforce local news as essential civic infrastructure
Former Ink Link correspondent Ryan Lessard lent a hand at leading a group discussion on local news.
This was the first of a slate of Publisher’s Crawls planned for the remainder of the year. We encourage you to join us at any of the upcoming sessions – still scheduling, so stay tuned.
May 21, 2026 — Hosted by Nashua Ink Link at Spyglass Brewing Company, Nashua, 6–7:30 p.m. Register
June 9, 2026 —Hosted by Concord Monitor at Lithermans Limited Brewing, time TBD, Registration Coming Soon
August 20, 2026—Hosted by NHPR, Place and Time TBD, Registration Coming Soon
September 17, 2026—Hosted by Keene Sentinel, Place and Time TBD, Registration Coming Soon
October 15, 2026—Hosted by Laconia Daily Sun, Place and Time TBD, Registration Coming Soon
We’ll be adding dates and details regularly, so check back often! Can’t Attend in Person? You can still share your perspective through our statewide Community News Needs Survey. Take the Survey
Interested in sponsoring one of our stops? Contact Melanie Plenda, Executive Director, Granite State News Collaborative, melanie.plenda@collaborativenh.org
This story is part of the Granite State News Collaborative’s Publisher’s Crawl, a statewide listening series to better understand community news needs. We’d love to hear from you too! Take our 2-minute survey.
