What's Working: The Money Is Finally Moving to Local News

After all of the stories we've shared of journalism's challenges, some genuine good news. 2026 is shaping up as a breakthrough year for public funding of local journalism.

Rebuild Local News tracks roughly $74 million reaching local newsrooms through new state laws — alongside the Lenfest Institute's $1.8 million “Every Voice, Every Vote” program in Philadelphia, a $20 million California Civic Media Fund, and $500,000 in Microsoft-backed fellowships in Washington.

It's the same idea the Prize was built on: public-service journalism is worth investing in — not for the work already done, but for the work still to come.

See the Rebuild Local News state tracker.