Local news sources continue to face significant challenges, with many traditional outlets shutting down or scaling back their operations due to declining print revenue, rising operational costs, and the shift of advertising dollars to digital platforms. This trend has left many smaller towns and rural areas without reliable sources of local reporting, creating “news deserts” where residents have limited access to essential information about their communities. However, amidst this decline, there has been notable growth in digital news platforms, particularly in metro areas. These digital sites are often funded through a mix of subscription models, donor contributions, and innovative advertising approaches, allowing them to fill the gap left by traditional outlets. In urban centers, where audiences are larger and more tech-savvy, these platforms are finding success by delivering hyper-local content, investigative journalism, and real-time updates. They often use social media and mobile-friendly formats to engage readers and build loyal audiences. While this growth in digital news sites is promising, it has not fully addressed the inequities in news access, as many rural areas remain underserved. The rise of these platforms underscores the ongoing evolution of the media landscape and the efforts to adapt to changing consumer preferences while preserving the importance of local journalism.