ProPublica introduced on Wednesday a new call for proposals to pick out the subsequent 5 companions in its Local Reporting Network. These newsrooms might be chosen to be a part of the group’s 50 State Initiative, a dedication to partnering with one newsroom from every state by 2029. The deadline for purposes is July 21 at 5 p.m. Jap. Reporters chosen for the one-year program will start work on Oct. 1, 2025.
By way of this partnership, ProPublica will reimburse information organizations for the wage of the chosen reporter (as much as $75,000 plus a advantages stipend) to allow them to spend a yr working full time on an accountability journalism undertaking of significance to their communities. Moreover, ProPublica supplies modifying help, together with our knowledge, analysis, visible storytelling, graphics, design, viewers and engagement experience.
Extra details about how to apply and the application for potential newsrooms have simply been posted. Newsrooms from 35 states are eligible to use for this spherical. Please see our eligibility map for particulars.
As a part of the 50 State Initiative, ProPublica is at present working with newsrooms from the primary 10 states; one other 5 newsrooms will begin in July. Reporting with The Connecticut Mirror on car towing in the state sparked legislative reforms to overtake century-old towing legal guidelines that favored tow companies on the expense of drivers. In Georgia, we have now documented how the state’s Medicaid work requirement, which is being heralded as a mannequin for the remainder of the nation, has fallen short and cost millions. And in Tennessee, we’ve proven how one firm has vastly expanded the usage of a singular high-interest mortgage — after which gone on to sue more than 100,000 borrowers.
“It’s thrilling to see ProPublica’s Native Reporting Community attain newsrooms in all areas of the nation,” mentioned Sarah Blustain, an assistant managing editor at ProPublica. “With every further state, we’re in a position to deliver pressing native points to readers nationwide.”
The 50 State Initiative expands the scope of ProPublica’s work on the native and regional stage, which features a rising staff of journalists reporting from communities throughout the nation and groundbreaking partnerships with native information organizations via the LRN program.
The initiative broadens our help for local journalism, which now consists of the LRN alongside devoted reporting hubs within the Midwest, South, Southwest and Northwest, in addition to an investigative unit in Texas in partnership with The Texas Tribune. ProPublica has greater than 25 employees reporters and greater than 20 reporting partnerships across the nation contributing to regional and native accountability reporting, guaranteeing individuals can profit from world-class journalism that may drive measurable change of their communities.
The LRN started in January 2018 in an effort to assist treatment the shortage of investigative reporting on the native stage. It has since led to partnerships with some 80 information organizations throughout the nation.