Local journalism is a vital pillar of our democracy and is under threat. The recent round of newsrooms being laid off by Sinclair Broadcasting, budget cuts, low-paying journalism jobs, and social media has put immense pressure on the survival of local journalism.

Without local journalism, our communities will lose their watchdogs, voice, and ability to hold those in power accountable. We'll be less informed, less engaged, and less likely to make informed decisions about our communities and future.

We must recognize the critical importance of local journalism and take action to save it. We need to support local television stations, newspapers, websites, and radio stations by subscribing, donating, or advertising. We need to urge our elected officials to provide more local news funding and pass laws protecting journalists and their sources.

Without local journalism, we risk losing the critical checks and balances that our democracy depends on. We cannot let that happen. We must act now to save local journalism and ensure our communities remain informed, engaged, and empowered.