As a Poynter supporter, you’re receiving this newsletter each Friday so we can keep you well informed about the lifesaving work we’re doing to fight against misinformation around the world and help journalists deliver news you trust. Poynter is:

Providing resources that journalists — particularly those serving local communities like yours — need to cover and confront all aspects of the pandemic.

As a supporter of journalism, you know that local news is important for a thriving, democratic community. Studies show that when there’s no local news, voter participation drops. Political polarization increases. And as preeminent local news reporter, Poynter’s own Kristen Hare, succinctly said: “[Local news] matters because people need to know what’s happening where they live, and the people in charge need to know someone’s watching.”

So this week, Poynter launched “Locally,” an information hub designed specifically to help local journalists navigate their rapidly changing industry. Poynter will chronicle the power and perils of local journalism with original reporting and industry trackers updated daily, while also aggregating tools, tips, jobs and funding all in one central place.

As journalists covering the media, we will bear witness, ask questions and report facts about the situation. As educators, we will train, coach and encourage. As citizens, we will subscribe, donate and engage. Will you join us?

Helping you weigh your child care options as workplaces reopen

(John Nacion/STAR MAX/IPx)

As of this week, all 50 U.S. states have partially emerged from coronavirus lockdowns. As society slowly reopens and many of us venture back out to our workplaces, you may be asking yourself, “What do I do with my kids?” School classrooms remain closed this summer and will perhaps stay closed this fall. Summer camps are most likely not an option. And child care facilities are reducing capacity or even shutting down due to financial troubles. Poynter senior faculty member Al Tompkins gives you all of the details you need right now to make important decisions for your family in the coming months.

Explaining all the details — and managing expectations — about a potential new vaccine.

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

This week we also got a glimmer of hope when pharmaceutical company Moderna shared promising early results of an experimental COVID-19 vaccine. While this was a much-needed lift to our spirits, it’s important that we don’t get out over our skis. Tompkins explains all of the aspects of this potential vaccine and why we still have a long way to go.

Welcoming a new advocate to help young people fact-check for themselves

This week we welcomed a new member into the Poynter family. Dave Jorgenson, editor, writer, and video producer for The Washington Post, is our newest MediaWise Ambassador! He joins a roster of 10 prominent journalists and social media influencers (including “NBC Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt) who help raise awareness about MediaWise’s mission to teach young people how to sort fact from fiction online and slow the spread of misinformation. He’s gained immense popularity with teenagers on TikTok with his offbeat and hilarious videos. Check out Dave’s first MediaWise appearance: It definitely will bring you joy.

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Be well,


Josh Herrington
Development Director
[email protected]

Poynter Foundation Board Members: 

Brian Tierney, CEO, Brian Communications
Michael Dreyer, President, Tampa Bay Trust Company
Frank “Sandy” Rief III, Attorney, Allen Dell, Attorneys at Law
Liz Sembler, Board Member, Corporation for Public Broadcasting