By Dee Anne Finken—LWVWA Director, Local News and Democracy 

The refrain that local news is in crisis has become common knowledge among people who are involved in their communities and who follow the actions and decisions of their city and county councils and school board trustees.   

But last week, we got a closer look at just how rapidly the crisis is growing when scholars at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism—among the nation’s most preeminent researchers on the topic—announced their latest findings. 

Their news isn’t good.  

With an average of 2.5 newspapers now closing each week—up from two a week a year ago—more than half of the counties in the nation now have either no local news source or only one remaining outlet. According to Penny Abernathy, co-author of Medill’s annual “State of Local News Project,” that remaining outlet is typically a weekly newspaper.  

The implications of this worsening situation should be of even greater concern for those of us working to defend democracy and empower voters. As the League of Women Voters of Washington’s study “The Decline of Local News and Its Impact of Democracy” and scores of other research projects have illustrated, the decline is linked with reductions in voter turnout, decreased candidate participation, increased government costs, less effective public health education, reductions in civic engagement, and increased political polarization. 

In spring 2023, after the LWVWA adopted the study, members also reached consensus on a Local News and Democracy position. The position states “it is the responsibility of the government to provide support for conditions under which credible local journalism can survive and thrive.”  

To be clear, the position does not specifically call on government to provide funding to support newspapers—for profit or nonprofit. It simply says government has a responsibility to make sure that conditions are such that allow local news publications to serve us. It is purposely written broadly so League members have the flexibility to support a wide variety of thoughtful efforts while rejecting those that aren’t. 

In reaching consensus on the position, League members in Washington considered the actions of US founders, including their decisions to enshrine protection for a free press in the Constitution and to establish a federal postal service with reduced rates for publishers. The latter measure was to ensure early Americans were kept informed about the actions of their leaders by way of the most effective news distribution vehicle of the times. 

Earlier this year, in Washington, the position allowed the League to advocate for one piece of legislation that will help—at least minimally—stem the tide. WA Senate Bill 5199, approved with wide bipartisan support, extends a Business & Occupations tax preference for qualifying publishers to a full exemption. Those in the industry say that savings will likely equate to the salaries of three full-time positions at the Seattle Times, one full-time newsroom position at each of the other dailies and a half of a position at weeklies. 

Small successes, but a start. 

Meanwhile, because rebuilding local news also means educating consumers about how to distinguish between news and opinion and mis- and disinformation, the League also will advocate this session on behalf of two measures designed to boost news media literacy and digital citizenship in Washington schools. 

The reality, though, is that the decline of local news is a nationwide problem, a situation clearly detailed by Medill scholars and others. As such, it can’t be effectively addressed through efforts in a single state. This is why the LWVWA Board voted earlier this year to seek national adoption of the LWVWA news position by concurrency.  

The road to national concurrence is a long one and requires considerable effort, including securing support from local and state Leagues from across the country.  It will require Washington delegates to attend the national convention in Washington, D.C., in June 2024, where they can hold caucuses and canvass for support.   

The LWVWA has sought national concurrence on only a small number of state positions, according to former LWVWA president Judy Golberg, who has been active with LWVUS for several years. 

The local news crisis is a national problem, added Golberg, who is from LWV Benton/Franklin counties. “This is an issue we should all be concerned with.”

Please consider donating to support this important work.

by Beth Pellicciotti—LWVWA Board, Civic Education

The League of Women Voters of Washington is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and to supporting civic education throughout the state. Civic education inclusion involves reaching out to underserved and underrepresented groups with information on how the government works and how to be engaged in a democracy. Civic education is for youth, but also for adults.  We all need to know more about how government works and the role we play in our democracy. 

Each year, the LWVWA solicits civic education grant requests from local Leagues, with grant funds pulled from the LWVWA’s Education Fund. The guidelines are broad—“How are you reaching underserved/underrepresented groups with voter education or civic education?”   

Below are some examples of civic education grant work serving youth. Please consider giving to support future projects like these.

KSPS Civics Bowl (civic education and inclusion)

In 2021, the Spokane Area League partnered with the local public broadcasting station, KSPS, and the Spokane Public Schools to support teams of high school students to compete in a jeopardy-like civics bowl. Spokane League members wrote 700 questions from the two League civics textbooks used in schools. Civics teachers served as coaches; family members watched live recordings of the shows; and community members saw broadcasts of highly educated civics students competing.  

In 2022, one of the semi-finalist teams hailed from the Spokane project-based Community School (an alternative high school), In 2023, the KSPS Civics Bowl is still going strong! Watch recent student Civic Bowl participants answering questions about their experience here.

Legislative Page Program (civic education and equity)

In 2022, the Clallam County League partnered with their local Boys and Girls Club to support and encourage club members to become legislative pages. Some of the young folks who wanted to participate in our state government as pages, in the capital for a week, learning the legislative process, could not afford the transportation, living, and clothing costs.

To assist efforts to get these young folks to the capitol, the Clallam League served as the content expert on the legislative page program—answering questions, assisting with applications, and keeping track of important deadlines. The Boys and Girls Club gave students funding for clothing,transportation, as well as room and board costs. Read about the world-view altering experience of one legislative page below.

Civics Textbooks to Schools (civic education, equity, and inclusion)

In 2023, the Clark County League received funding to purchase the LWVWA civics textbooks, The State We’re In for a school district experiencing severe budget cuts.  The head of curriculum for that district asked for help paying for textbooks for elementary and middle school teachers. While the LWVWA textbooks are free online, teachers and students like to have a hardcopy. Access problems arise because not all school districts can afford printed textbooks, and many do not have broadband internet access.  

Additionally, through the work of long-time League volunteer Karen Verrill, the League's textbooks, posters, and a recent supplement on The History of Latinos in Washington have been translated into Spanish! Ongoing planning with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is focusing expanding access to the translated versions to the over 40,000 students in dual language programs. It is important that ALL of us—whether our first language is English or not—have access to materials to aid in learning how Washington State and Native American governments work. Translated materials can be accessed here.

November 28 is Giving Tuesday—a global day of giving which takes place the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year, please consider making your Giving Tuesday gift to the League of Women Voters of Washington. Gifts made to the League fund our work to empower voters and defend democracy.

The League does so much! Your gift can help the LWVWA advocate for fair and accessible elections, fight against voter suppression, combat misinformation and disinformation, publish civics school textbooks, advocate in the Washington State Legislature on League priority issues such as climate change, childcare, health care, homelessness, equity, equality, and a whole lot more. 

Giving is easy and simple! You can give by:

• Clicking here (or through the "donate" tab on our homepage);
• Mailing a check to the League of Women Voters of Washington 1511 3rd Ave, Suite 900 Seattle, WA 98101;

• Making a gift directly to the LWVWA from your IRA as part of your annual required minimum withdrawal.  

You can donate to our to our 501(c)(4) to support our advocacy work or make a tax deductible gift to our 501(c)(3), the LWVWA Education Fund.

Please consider giving today—every little bit helps, and you can make a real difference!  

By Lyn Whitley and Dee Anne Finken, LWVWA Local News Committee members 

Like the League of Women Voters in Washington, individuals and groups elsewhere across the country are turning to public policy as a way to stem the decline in local news.

In early October, LWVWA Local News Committee members met virtually with Steve Waldman, founder of the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization Rebuild Local News, to learn about some of the efforts.

Previously national editor of U.S. News & World Report, Waldman was asked by the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission in 2009 to study whether all Americans were receiving the information, educational content and news they needed in a changing media landscape. The product of his effort was the highly regarded “The Information Needs of Communities,” which predicted a decline of local newspapers would be particularly problematic.

Waldman went on to found Report for America, a nonprofit program that places early career journalists in newsrooms in underserved communities across the country.

Waldman began his conversation with committee members by praising the LWVWA study, “The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy,” and other Washington state League efforts to support local news.

“I can’t stress how important it is that the League is doing this,” Waldman said.  “So far, it’s only been a bunch of journalists talking about this. And we are really only going to make progress when other civic groups and organizations, and businesses really understand the crisis.”

He noted that efforts are underway in New York, Wisconsin, Maryland and Colorado to pursue legislation to provide news outlets with refundable payroll tax credits to offset staffing costs. Calling payroll tax credits “probably one of the best ways to encourage the presence of local reporters,” Waldman said such a proposal would be worth promoting in Washington, given the state’s budget surplus. He acknowledged stiff competition for the funds from many special interests will likely surface, though.

Waldman said the creation of early career journalism fellowships, such as the new $2.4 million program at Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College, will help ease the crisis. That program will place eight journalists in newsrooms in underserved areas in the state the first year and another eight the year after.   

New Mexico was the first state to create such a program, and California launched its program in March. Administered by the University of California-Berkeley, it received $25 million in state funds. Washington state Sen. Karen Keiser, a UC alum, has said she was inspired by the UC plan to seek financing for Washington’s program.

In many ways, Waldman said, fellowship programs win ready support from lawmakers who are familiar with state finances and university systems.

Another approach gaining traction would require state public agencies to buy advertising in local newspapers, provided the expenditures are effective. Waldman noted local governments across the country purchase advertising for programs ranging from public health messaging to tourism promotion. The idea is to support local news outlets instead of Big Tech social media firms, if the advertising is equally effective.

Waldman said Washington’s lawmakers are generally on board with support for local news at both the state and federal levels. A bill that allows news publishers to seek exemption from the state Business & Occupation tax won broad bipartisan support in the state Legislature before Gov. Inslee signed it this spring. 

In Congress, Rep. Dan Newhouse and Sen. Maria Cantwell, both of Washington, sponsored the Local Journalism Sustainability Act in 2020, which was hung up in budget deliberations in late 2022.  Replacing it is the Community News & Small Business Support Act, co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene of Washington and Claudia Tenney of New York, which would create tax credits for newspapers to hire staff and for local businesses to advertise in local newspapers.

Each year, the LWVWA Lobby Team participates in planning and conducting two events related to the Legislature:

• In December of each year, the Lobby Team conducts an Action Workshop at which League members and interested public learn about what issues are likely to come up in the ensuring legislative session and get tips about League positions to support. 
• In January, the Lobby Team works with Fix Democracy First (FDF), a partner organization, on Democracy Lobby Week. During this week, League and FDF members can attend daytime or evening sessions. During evening sessions, attendees get more details about specific bills that we are supporting, and during the daytime sessions, they have an opportunity to meet with their local legislators in support of these bills.

Both of these events were held in person prior to the pandemic, but will continue to be virtual this year—both for convenience and to prevent additional risk of COVID variants and/or flu.

Please save the dates on your calendars! Detailed agendas with registration information will be posted in several weeks.

The League of Women Voters of Kittitas County created short descriptions of the special districts in Kittitas County to help voters learn the purpose and responsibilities of these districts. Included in the descriptions were offices and special districts like:

• City Council and City Manager (English and Spanish)
  
• City Council and Mayor (English and Spanish)
• Hospital District (English and Spanish)
• Water District (English and Spanish)
• Public Utility District (English and Spanish)
• Fire District (English and Spanish)
• School Board (English and Spanish)
• Parks and Recreation (English and Spanish)

The Kittitas County Auditor, Bryan Elliot included the descriptions in the County's voter pamphlet, on page 3.

LWV Kittitas County hopes making this information available will help increase voter turnout!

Earlier this year, the League of Women Voters of Thurston County tasked a small committee to produce a "Be a Voter" video. The six-minute video was produced by that committee in partnership with videographer, Kaila Bohler, who donated her time and expertise.

The focus of the video was on the generations and diversity of the LWV Thurston County membership. Those featured in the video were asked three questions, including why they voted in local elections. The Thurston League will use the video in their voter services work, their voter registration trainings, and with high school students for their Future Voter Advocates project.

You can watch the video here.

The civic holiday National Voter Registration Day was Tuesday, Sept 19. In honor of the holiday, LWVUS President Dr. Deborah Turner was on hand to talk about voting on Tuesday’s PBS Newshour.

Dr. Turner’s message is exactly what we in our local Leagues and at the state League work to share with voters as we head towards the November 8, 2023, election. Topics covered include: engaging young voters, key issues, automatic voter registration, and reminders that politics is local; those we elect at the local level are the people who make decisions affecting our everyday lives.

You can watch a recording of the event here. Make sure you take a look!

Mary Coltrane, LWVWA President

By Christine Grantham, LWVBF member, Special Projects

In preparation for the LWVWA’s 2023 State Convention, I printed famous quotes as tabletop decorations.  This line by Abraham Lincoln stood out. “Nations do not die from invasion; they die from internal rottenness.”

My worst fear is that we may lose our democracy due to disinformation, lack of confidence in our electoral process and voter apathy. To encourage participation in what is still considered our most precious right as Americans, “The Vote,” I wanted to make a video directed at young people before the 2024 primary.

I wanted an effective “GET OUT THE VOTE” tool to encourage voters to turn out and vote.  We would produce two 30-second videos, one in English and one in Spanish.  

In the summer of 2022, I looked at short clips and videos mostly by professional entertainers promoting voting.  There were some that could possibly work, but there are always trademark and licensing restrictions. I would need just the right combination of actors for a play or video and/or background music. The whole project seemed overwhelming.

Then in the Fall of 2022 the LWVBF was asked to participate in the Pasco School District All Staff Welcome Back Expo. At the close of the event, I happened to hear some snappy music and spotted Pasco High School’s Dance Team—the dance team of my dreams! Their performance was impeccable, the choreography outstanding and each member unbelievably talented. They fit the bill right down to my wish for a multi-cultural group representing the America of the future. I found the coach and asked if they had ever done any performances like one to encourage voting.  The coach was all in and so was the team.  It was a GO!

The team selected the slogan “YOUR VOTE, YOUR VOICE, YOUR FUTURE” and had the slogan printed on their red, white, and blue tee-shirts. The Dance Team coach, Rebecca Schwan, has been with the Pasco School District for 24 years and is an outstanding choreographer.  She has coached semiprofessional dance and cheer teams and was inducted into the Washington State Hall of Fame for Dance and Cheer in 2015. Most importantly, she has a unique connection with her team. Together they create incredible routines. So now I could begin the project.  

The next piece of the puzzle was to find a videographer. Most of the professionals I interviewed were out of my price range, but I happened to find Tyler West who had just moved to the area. He understood the frustration of voter apathy and was eager to be part of the project.   

There was another bonus that came as a total surprise. At the suggestion of the dance coach, I talked to The Pasco School District Community Outreach Supervisor, Gracie-Valle Chimal.  Gracie was familiar with the League’s work and immediately offered to assist in any way.  She understood the importance and urgency of a community project to stimulate interest and turnout prior to the 2024 election.  Gracie has worked in radio and broadcasting, has public affairs experience, and also speaks fluent Spanish.

She and I hit it off immediately and I know my project would never have come to fruition without her professional guidance, suggestions, and advice. She critiqued our practices and proved to be a master of what to cut to keep us within our 30 second limit. Ultimately, she knew the importance of protecting the League’s name and the integrity of our project.  

The GOTV video was finally finished in June 2023. It was completed with the help of a $1,500 grant from the State League’s Education Fund, which paid the cost of the videographer. We had a lot of fun collaborating with the Pasco High School Dance Team for this video and look forward to promoting the video in the lead up in the 2023 Election!