On April 9, we’re joining newsrooms across the country for Local News Day. While the national media remains obsessed with the latest outrage cycle in D.C., we’re keeping our eyes on the Hwy 49 corridor, the river, and the halls of government in Nevada County.
This isn’t just about a date on the calendar. “Local news” isn’t a marketing buzzword; it’s the difference between knowing which way the wind is blowing during peak fire season and being left in the dark.
Beyond the noise
It’s easy to get sucked into the national food fight happening on social media. Keyboard warriors, pundits and now AI abound. But, we’ve found that local news is an antidote to polarization.
When we’re reporting on a proposed development in Grass Valley, the state of the South Yuba River, or a spike in homeowners’ insurance rates, the story isn’t about partisan talking points. It’s about our backyard. You can disagree with your neighbor about a presidential candidate, but you both likely care about whether the local fire district is properly funded. Local news is common ground. It’s the rare place where the story isn’t me vs. you. It’s what’s happening right here, and what it means for your family and your community.
Journalism isn’t just about highlighting “good news,” though we love a community success story. Our job is to speak truth to power and, frankly, to the occasional outbreak of local stupidity – here’s looking at you escaped burn piles.
Whether it’s questioning why the Board of Supervisors punts on a hard vote or debunking the latest neighborhood rumor that’s caught fire on Nextdoor, we believe an informed community is a resilient one. You deserve the truth about:
Public Safety: Real-time updates when the smoke starts billowing.
Accountability: How local policies actually affect your property rights, your wallet and ultimately your life.
Infrastructure: Why that pothole on your commute is still there and who is supposed to fix it.
At YubaNet, we don’t just cover the news; we live it. We breathe smoky air in August, navigate icy roads in February and in between try to harden our homes and landscapes.
Local news works best when it’s a two-way street. Every tip you send, every public meeting you attend because of a story you read, and every bit of support you provide helps keep this engine running. We don’t have a corporate hedge fund backing us; we have you.
How to participate on April 9
We’re not just asking for a “like” or a share. We want to hear from you directly. Here is how you can get involved:
- Meet us in person: We are hosting an open house! Stop by between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM at the Community Room in the Litton Building (200 Litton Drive in Grass Valley). Come tell us what we’re missing, what you need to know to make your life in the foothills better, or just say hello. We’ll provide coffee and snacks, you provide the feedback.
- Behind-the-scenes insights: Look for special digital coverage on how we verify information during breaking news events and how our reporting process works.
- Deep dives: We’ll be re-visiting the local issues that will shape our area for the next decade.
So, on April 9, we invite you to do one simple thing: Start Local. Read a story about your town, share a fact with a neighbor, and come see us at the Litton Building, RSVP form below.
Local News Day Cafe
Support the newsrooms working to keep your community informed. Because in the end, the stories that shape our daily lives start right here.
If you want to learn more about Local News Day and discover some of the over 1,000 newsrooms participating, visit localnewsday.org to find trusted local news near you.