The local news crisis in the United States has resulted in thousands of communities having limited or no access to reliable and essential civic information. A 2023 Medill State of Local News Report found that the availability of high-quality local journalism is rapidly declining. Since 2005, approximately 3,000 newspapers have closed and more than 60% of newsroom positions have been lost creating a critical gap in coverage of vital local issues.
This national dilemma directly impacts citizens across the country including those residing in the Northeast Florida region. As the need for trustworthy resources of local news widens, an increased number of nonprofit organizations are making a commitment to serve their communities by filling the gaps left by traditional newspapers. With the support of AVDF, WJCT Public Media of Jacksonville, Florida launched a nonpartisan, digital-first local journalism initiative in 2021 which includes a weekday email newsletter called Jacksonville Today and a corresponding website. Jacksonville Today has achieved much in a short amount of time. It is an award-winning news service with more than 27,000 newsletter subscribers and 100,000 monthly website visitors, with both numbers continuing to grow.
By creating an exceptional news service that has attracted a loyal audience, WJCT has been successful in their fundraising efforts and recently announced they were awarded a $1 million grant from Florida Blue. The grant will help strengthen WJCT’s local news reporting and the station’s work in early childhood education and family engagement.
WJCT has expanded the work it does with young learners, leveraging its Jax PBS Kids service to provide a wide range of local activities and services. In 2023, WJCT began offering a year-long series of workshops for young families in partnership with the Kids Hope Alliance at six early learning centers to help families ensure their children succeed in school. The workshops add to programs such as the annual Be My Neighbor Day event for families, the TEACH conference, and other programs to serve young learners, their families, and educators.
“WJCT Public Media is a vital community partner, helping to inform about critical issues, educate our children and activate Northeast Florida’s culture through community efforts,” said Pat Geraghty, President and CEO of Florida Blue. “Florida Blue is proud to partner with community organizations like WJCT Public Media to ensure our children receive critical educational components to achieve success in school and in life.”
“We’re grateful to Florida Blue for providing this support, which will allow us to continue the work of expanding the services we offer our region in local journalism and early childhood education,” said David McGowan, President and CEO of WJCT Public Media. “We have a unique and vital role to play in addressing our community’s needs in these areas, and we appreciate the recognition and resources which this gift provides.”
To learn more about Jacksonville Today, visit jaxtoday.org.
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