Day: November 3, 2025

Local news refers to the full collection of media outlets (print, radio, television and hyperlocal websites) that serve a geographically defined area. They report on issues that directly affect the lives of citizens and tell their community’s story. This work is vital to civic engagement and is the foundation of our democracy. Research shows that it fosters participation, reduces political polarization and holds local officials accountable.

Local news can take many forms: community radio stations broadcast to farmers on the prices of different crops; people make documentaries using cheap, readily available camcorders that show their reality to local TV and newspaper audiences; and newspapers produce online and print versions for readers in a given city or region. Local media also includes national and regional television networks that produce local newscasts or segments as part of their morning network newscasts.

In the United States, these are often produced by local commercial television affiliates – sometimes called local affiliate newsrooms – with branding, studio designs and graphics that differ from those of the network newscast they’re attached to. Local news also can be found on cable channels that are dedicated to local coverage, such as NY1 in New York and WJLA 24/7 News in the Washington DC market.

These examples of the best local journalism are the result of collaboration, community engagement and national-local partnerships. They show how to tell stories that have real impact and how to build a sustainable business model for mission-based local journalism.

The way a startup is funded has the potential to impact every aspect of how that business operates, from who it hires to where it locates. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions when it comes to financing a Maryland startup; the choice will depend on your personal financial situation, where you want to take the company, and how much risk you’re comfortable taking.

The first funding option many new entrepreneurs consider is friends and family. This is particularly common in pre-seed funding rounds. Friends and family are willing to invest their own money because they trust the founders’ vision and believe in the opportunity, so they can often skip some or all of the standard due diligence processes that come with other types of startup funding.

Angel investors are an increasingly popular source of startup financing. They’re wealthy individuals who invest their own money in startups, typically in exchange for an ownership stake or convertible debt. They also provide advice, mentoring, and connections to help startups reach their goals.

Venture capitalists are another significant player in the startup funding world. They back promising startups with substantial growth potential in exchange for a significant ownership stake. They’re usually looking for companies with a proven team, a large market opportunity, and a well-articulated plan to grow.

Private equity firms, hedge funds, and investment banks can also play a significant role in startup funding. In the later stages of a company’s lifecycle, they might be able to offer the type of funding needed to take it to the next level or acquire competitors. Each round of funding will further dilute a company’s existing ownership, so it’s important to set clear plans and goals at each stage to ensure that your startup stays on track.