Take it from me, Local News Day puts the immense value of news for communities front and center.
Growing up in Paradise, Calif., in the 2010s, I never thought much about where news came from. News was news, whether from a big news outlet or a hyperlocal one. As long as my family and I were staying current on events and the weather forecast, it didn’t matter where it came from or who made it.
All that changed once I started at San Francisco State University. I declared journalism as my major because I loved writing and thought sharing people's stories would be fun. And, during my first semester, the realization of just how important local news was hit home.
In 2018, my entire hometown was burned to ash by a wildfire. My loved ones were scrambling to evacuate, and I was four hours away with little knowledge of what was happening until I saw Action News Now’s social media posts. The constant updates brought me just enough comfort while I waited for my family and friends to respond.
Now, as a journalist, I get to see how impactful even the non-emergency stories are. I’m still amazed that shining a light on a new coffee shop or a neighborhood’s history can carry the same weight as providing updates during a disaster.
As an intern and now a freelance reporter for The Ingleside Light for nearly four years, I’ve been fully immersed in communities that feel they go unheard, and I get to showcase the remarkable projects they do and highlight the issues that matter most to them. To me, these are the stories that matter most, and I get to see firsthand just how meaningful local news is.
When I hear from the community about just how much the stories we put out have impacted their lives, it reminds me why I chose to pursue journalism in the first place. Being able to highlight the community’s camaraderie in each neighborhood at places like meetings or inside small businesses is something that is so rewarding.
In local news, we get to be among the first ones to bring attention to the good and bad things happening in the communities around us, and most times, that makes all the difference.
Celebrate Local News Day With Us
The Ingleside Light will be celebrating from 4 – 6 p.m. at Ocean Ale House (1314 Ocean Ave.) on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Come chat and get a free Ingleside magnet set.
Support The Ingleside Light's Local News
Subscribe to The Ingleside Light on an annual or a monthly basis. Get rare hyperlocal news — the type of reporting many other neighborhoods no longer get at all. Subscribe today »
Already have a subscription? The next best way you can help is with a contribution! While it’s not tax-deductible, whatever you give goes directly back into our newsroom to fund our reporting. Contribute now »
