With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, concerns are mounting that commercial local television stations are abandoning their community-focused mission in favor of national content that boosts profits. According to a press release from a coalition of nonprofit news organizations, stations owned by Gray, Scripps, Sinclair and Nexstar have increasingly focused on national stories since the FCC lifted its ownership cap in 2026. The argument that lifting the cap would increase local news has not materialized; instead, it has favored national content because that is what drives revenue for commercial operations.
An op-ed by Dak Dillon on NewsCastStudio.com highlights the problem: “Why is a local station spending five minutes reading national headlines that every viewer already saw on their phone before the newscast even started?” Dillon writes that such segments are “dead air with a local anchor's face on it.” The press release argues that this trend leaves voters without vital information about mayoral, council, county executive, state legislature, congressional and gubernatorial races.
In response, nonprofit news outlets across California and beyond are asking readers to donate or subscribe directly to support reliable local journalism. These outlets include CalMatters, which covers California statewide; Bay City News, serving the San Francisco Bay Area; and Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, focused on the San Joaquin Valley. Neighborhood-specific outlets like Mission Local, San Francisco Public Press, Open Vallejo and Vallejo Sun provide hyperlocal coverage for San Francisco and Solano County.
The press release warns that if news deserts can exist in San Francisco—where local TV stations spend more time on national issues—then suburbs and small towns across the country are even more vulnerable to a lack of representation. Donations to nonprofit newsrooms, the release says, will ensure that democracy, free speech and reliable information prevail at the local level during a time of uncertainty.
Readers are encouraged to support these organizations directly. Donation links include CalMatters, Bay City News, San Francisco Public Press, Mission Local, Open Vallejo, Vallejo Sun, Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, AAN, States Newsroom, Institute for Nonprofit News, Civic News Company, and LION Publishers. Sharing donations on social media is also encouraged to raise awareness.
The initiative underscores a critical moment for local journalism: as commercial stations chase national profits, nonprofit newsrooms are stepping in to fill the gap. Their survival depends on public support, especially with the 2026 midterms poised to shape local and state governments. Without reliable local news, voters may lack the information needed to make informed decisions, threatening democratic accountability at every level.
