Want to go?
Of course you do! The free Local News Day event will be held from 1-3 p.m. on April 9 at the McSwain Center in Sanford.
Public event runs from 1-3 p.m., April 9, at McSwain Center in Sanford
For those interested in the role journalists play in small, but growing communities like Sanford — or those who just want to learn more about The Rant and other area news providers — you’re invited to attend the first Sanford News Cafe from 1 to 3 p.m. on April 9 at the McSwain Center in Sanford.
News teams from The Rant, The Sanford Herald, The Sandhills News and WWGP News will be on hand to share about their work and engage in a listening session with residents. The gathering is part of Local News Day, a national day of action connecting communities with trusted local news.
Nationally, Local News Day is led by a coalition of journalists, nonprofit leaders and media innovators, including Montana Free Press, American Journalism Project and Press Forward. The North Carolina local news effort has been led by NC Local, a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization that aims to “strengthen access to local news from Murphy to Manteo.”
Joining Billy Liggett, Gordon Anderson and Jonathan Owens from The Rant will be:
- Mark Rogers, editor of The Herald, which publishes a print edition three times a week and through its website, sanfordherald.com
- Margaret Murchison, the longtime news director of radio station WWGP, heard at 95.1FM/1050AM and at wfjawwgpradio.com
- Stephanie Sellars, editor of Sandhills News, which launched last summer and covers news in Lee, Moore and Harnett counties through a newsletter and at sandhills.news
Bill Horner III, retired publisher of The Herald and the Chatham News + Record and a former advisory board member of NC Local, is organizing the event with support from Diara Townes of Sanford, the program manager for NC Local.
NC Local is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization helping people in North Carolina’s 100 counties understand how statewide issues and government decisions affect their communities. It is serving as the organizing entity for N.C. News Café events happening around the state on or about April 9. In addition to Sanford, events are scheduled in 15 other locations including Asheville, Charlotte, Lexington, Murphy, Nags Head and Wilmington in North Carolina. More than 40 different news outlets across the state are participating.
National organizers point to the fact that Americans overwhelmingly say local news is essential to democracy and to their daily lives. Yet many communities struggle to access the in-depth, accountable coverage they deserve. Local News Day helps bridge that gap — reconnecting people with trusted sources that keep them informed and strengthen their communities.
In addition to the Sanford event, the Sanford City Council will proclaim April 9 as “Local News Day” in Sanford at its April 7 council meeting.
“It’s been amazing to see such energy and enthusiasm behind this collaboration,” said NC Local Ecosystem Engagement Director Catherine Komp. “Across the state, people will be gathering in coffee shops, libraries and community centers to celebrate local news and connect with the communities we serve.”
Coffee and refreshments will be served at Sanford’s April 9 event. There’s no charge to attend.
“This is a chance both to celebrate the importance of local news in communities and for the consumers of that news to get to know their local newsrooms a little better,” Horner said. “It’s an opportunity for connection and engagement.”