Dallas Free Press Launches Local News Day to Celebrate Community Journalism

New nationwide initiative to connect communities with trusted local news and information

Feb. 3, 2026 at 2:15pm

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The Dallas Free Press, a community-focused news organization, is proud to be a Founding Newsroom of Local News Day, a new nationwide day of action dedicated to celebrating the essential role local news and information plays in our everyday lives. Taking place on April 9, 2026, Local News Day will bring together hundreds of local newsrooms across the country to engage with their communities and highlight the importance of trusted local journalism.

Why it matters

Local news plays a vital role in strengthening community connection, holding leaders accountable, and empowering people to make informed decisions. However, many local news outlets have struggled in recent years, making initiatives like Local News Day crucial to raising awareness and support for community journalism.

The details

The Dallas Free Press, founded in 2020 by Keri Mitchell, is a community-focused news organization that values listening to people, telling their stories, and using compelling data to drive change. As a Founding Newsroom of Local News Day, the Dallas Free Press will be part of a nationwide effort to connect with their readers, supporters, and neighbors to celebrate the impact of local news.

  • Local News Day will take place on April 9, 2026.
  • The Dallas Free Press launched in early 2020.

The players

Keri Mitchell

Founder and executive director of the Dallas Free Press, with over 20 years of experience as a community journalist, including 15 years dedicated to community and civic journalism at Dallas' Advocate magazines. She has won multiple awards for her work in feature reporting, investigative reporting, and magazine feature writing.

Dallas Free Press

A community-focused news organization launched in 2020 with the belief that all neighborhoods deserve reporting and storytelling that values their community and holds leaders accountable.

Local News Day

A new nationwide day of action dedicated to connecting communities with trusted local news and information, taking place on April 9, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to share the launch of Local News Day, a new nationwide day of action dedicated to connecting communities with trusted local news and information.”

— Keri Mitchell, Founder + executive director (Dallas Free Press)

“Local news plays a vital role in strengthening community connection, holding leaders accountable, and empowering people to make informed decisions.”

— Keri Mitchell, Founder + executive director (Dallas Free Press)

What’s next

Local News Day will take place on April 9, 2026, and the Dallas Free Press is encouraging its readers, supporters, and neighbors to learn more and get involved by visiting LocalNewsDay.org.

The takeaway

The launch of Local News Day by the Dallas Free Press and other Founding Newsrooms highlights the crucial role that community journalism plays in empowering local communities and holding leaders accountable. This initiative aims to strengthen the connection between local news outlets and the people they serve, ensuring that trusted, impactful journalism remains a cornerstone of civic life.