Reporters share perspectives on local news day

In honor of the nationwide celebration of local news, reporters from the Bonner County Daily Bee and the Bonners Ferry Herald shared why they believe local news is important in today’s digital world.  

Caroline Lobsinger, Managing Editor

In today’s world, where people are more disconnected than they’ve been before, local news is more important than ever. These newspapers serve as the first record of our community’s history and present critical information fairly, honestly and accurately. It connects us to each other, to the news we need to know and to our friends and neighbors.  

    Managing editor Caroline Lobsinger
 

Chloe Cochran, County/Courts Reporter, Bonner County Daily Bee

We’re very fortunate to be working in one of the last areas where local journalism isn’t taken for granted, and that makes all the difference in today’s world. In a world that is ‘my way or the highway’, we get to come to work and hand you, the public, the microphone to tell your story and actively write history. Local journalism removes any agenda and allows us to present the facts and share the joys of our diverse and beautiful community.

    Chloe Cochran, County/Courts Reporter
  

Jack Freeman, City/Education Reporter, Bonner County Daily Bee

A local newspaper serves as the heartbeat for communities, uniting residents behind powerful stories and informing them on issues that directly affect them. These local stories impact everyone, and without small-town newspapers, not only would these stories be missed, but bad actors would be able to roam freely without being held accountable. Without local news, we would be losing much more than just a way to stay informed and I hope that people realize how lucky Bonner County is to have a thriving local media scene.

    Jack Freeman is the new city and education reporter for the Daily Bee.
  

Max Oswald, Sports Reporter, Bonner County Daily Bee

Working in local journalism can be challenging, yet rewarding. Being able to create a product that community members look forward to and connect with is not only meaningful for them, but provides me with purpose as a journalist. Sports journalism, specifically, allows you to really immerse yourself in a community and often leads to intentional thoughts and conversations that you would have never had before.

    Max Oswald
  

Noah Harris, Staff Reporter, Boundary County Herald

I believe local journalism matters because it keeps people connected to their community. The stories in the paper document what is happening right now, but local journalism — especially in a newspaper — also becomes history. It shows what was important at a specific time and place, which makes preserving and continuing to create that history incredibly important.

    Noah Harris, Staff Reporter
  

Jennifer Wright, Editorial Assistant, Boundary County Herald

Local journalism is important to me because it’s about showing up for your community. It’s about capturing the small moments, the big milestones, and everything in between. It’s about making sure people feel seen, informed, and connected. In a place like Boundary County, the newspaper isn’t just reporting the news; it’s preserving the story of our lives. 

    Jennifer Wright, Editorial Assistant