A statewide alliance working to strengthen community-centered civic information and local news across Minnesota.
April 7, 2026 · Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda
On April 7th, we did something this state has never seen before. Dozens of alliance members filled the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda for our first-ever rally calling on lawmakers to invest in local news as essential civic infrastructure.
TV stations stood alongside print newsrooms. Ethnic and multilingual media stood alongside digital startups. Civic leaders, educators, elected officials, students, and community advocates from across Minnesota spoke with one voice: quality local information is a public good worthy of public investment. You don't see a room come together like that by accident. It came together because you all showed up.
The tabling participants and speaker lineup showed the alliance's breadth. True North Chair and 3HBC Host Yengyee Lor opened the rally, followed by Minnesota Star Tribune CEO Steve Grove, Sen. Heather Gustafson, Rep. Wayne Johnson, Jasmine Russell of the African American Leadership Forum, Charlie Weaver of the Metro Nonprofit News Network, and Anais Froberg-Martinez of ThreeSixty Journalism.
Together, they laid out what's at stake. Since 2018, 97 local news outlets have closed across Minnesota, and the revenue models that once sustained community journalism have fractured. But people still want local news they can trust. Minnesotans are looking for local news and relying on existing outlets every day.
“Local media is civic infrastructure. When we invest in it, we protect trusted information, strengthen community voice, and make sure Minnesotans stay connected to the issues shaping their lives.”
— Yengyee Lor, True North Chair
The rally was just the opening. The Senate State and Local Government Committee held an informational hearing where True North made the case directly to legislators for why Minnesotans see local news and civic information as essential infrastructure. We're also helping advance 2026 legislative priorities, including the journalism workforce development bill (SF4183/HF4072) and the Minnesota Civic Seal (SF2565/HF2372).
We bring together journalists, community leaders, media organizations, advocates, and partners who share a belief that access to trustworthy local information is essential to a healthy democracy.
Learn why we exist, what "True North" means, and the values that guide our collaborative, action-oriented work.
Learn MoreExplore our three policy pillars: workforce development, media literacy, and funding civic information.
View FrameworkRead findings from 8 sessions across Minnesota with 200+ stakeholders that shaped our policy agenda.
Read ReportSearch for news outlets in your community using the University of Minnesota's research database.
Search by CityThe True North News Alliance is powered by a diverse steering committee of organizations committed to strengthening local journalism across Minnesota.
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