University of New England Students Drive Local Journalism Solutions in Maine

Local News is Failing—Student Voices Offer a Fresh Approach

The 2025 Press Forward Maine forum highlighted a growing crisis in local journalism across the United States and showcased a tangible response coming out of the University of New England (UNE). Three UNE Community News Fellows—Angelina Keizer, Chloe Boulle, and Cally Gudroe—met with industry leaders, senior advisors, and a former New York Times columnist to discuss ways the next generation can renovate the local news landscape.

How the Community News Initiative is Bridging a Coverage Gap

Because of the steady decline in traditional newsroom staff and outlets, community‑focused reporting often slips into the background. UNE’s Community News Initiative, launched in 2023 and modeled after the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News, positions undergraduate students as frontline reporters for local newspapers such as the Sanford‑Springvale News, Saco Bay News, Maine Monitor, and the Portland Press Herald. Since inception, the initiative has produced nearly fifty stories that reach rural and suburban audiences in southern Maine.

What Students Are Doing on the Ground

• Reporting on Denver‑level issues: Fellows cover everything from municipal budget hearings to school board meetings, translating complex policy into accessible stories.
• Engaging local readers: By following community feedback on social media and in town halls, student reporters stay attuned to the stories residents care about most.
• Co‑creating editorial content: Students collaborate with experienced editors to refine narrative structure, fact‑checking, and ethical standards.

Why Student‑Driven Journalism Matters for Communities

Local journalism plays a pivotal role in civic engagement, government accountability, and cultural cohesion. By involving students in production, CNI:

1. provides unobtrusive, in‑depth coverage that traditional outlets may overlook;
2. creates a pipeline of journalism talent that can sustain the industry long‑term;
3. offers a teaching platform where theory meets practice, sharpening the next wave of reporters.

Moreover, partnerships with organizations such as the Maine Community Foundation’s Press Forward Maine foster an ecosystem where university resources and newsroom expertise converge. The forum’s discussion underscored that “local news is declining” and that “it is in our hands to restore it,” an insight that rallies community members to act.

Getting Involved: Practical Steps for Stakeholders

If you’re a student, educator, or local resident looking to support or replicate this model, consider the following:

• Join a university’s Community News program or seek mentorship from faculty advisers.
• Partner with a local newspaper to place a ‘student correspondent’ slot in exchange for fresh coverage.
• Use digital tools—RSS feeds, open data portals, and social media—to surface underreported stories.
• Set measurable objectives, such as a set number of stories per quarter, to maintain momentum.
• Encourage community members to submit letters or data requests, ensuring stories reflect local priorities.

Planning a Local News Hub

A community news hub functions like a newsroom incubator: it provides shared editorial guidelines, access to research databases, and collaborative spaces. UNE’s proposed hub, co‑led by Professor Michael J. Cripps and Sage Innovation Fellow Elizabeth Huggins, will build on the success of their 2023 journalism conference to expand partnerships nationwide.

Conclusion: A Call to Action for the Journalism Ecosystem

Student journalists from UNE are proving that expertise, curiosity, and collaboration can counteract the downturn in local news. They illustrate that giving newcomers a voice and real‑world experience can ripple out to strengthen community reporting for years. Stakeholders across academia, industry, and civic life can build on this model by integrating fresh talent, expanding outreach, and enhancing support for local journalism.

Interested in applying to UNE’s Community News Initiative or learning more about how your town can benefit from a student‑driven newsroom? Explore UNE’s journalism programs today.

Ready to support your local paper? Learn more about community news partnerships.

Have questions about the initiative or want to share your own experience with student journalism? Write to us or leave a comment below to join the conversation.

Finally, for more insight into the evolving landscape of local journalism and how communities can respond, check out additional resources on UNE’s site.