Why Kansas City’s startup community should rally behind local news

Editor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Stephanie Campbell is CEO of The Beacon, a nonprofit news organization covering Missouri and Kansas, and a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and Missouri Business Alert.

Tulsa just landed a $14 million investment to reshape its local news ecosystem. This funding will expand a historic Black-owned newspaper, create over 20 journalism jobs, and strengthen several outlets. It’s a clear example of what’s possible when communities rally behind local journalism — not just as a public good but as a driver of civic engagement, economic growth, and innovation.

Kansas City’s startup community should care because the same entrepreneurial energy fueling our startups can fuel local news. If we don’t step up, we risk falling behind cities like Tulsa and Cleveland, where collaboration and investment are revitalizing their media landscapes.

Startups are leading the way

Kansas City’s local news startups — The Beacon, KC Defender, and Startland News — are already making an impact. These organizations are more than publications; they’re community builders tackling the issues that matter most.

Take Startland News, for example. It has championed Kansas City’s entrepreneurial spirit, celebrating innovation, collaboration, and growth. Now it’s time for the startup community to rally behind local journalism, because supporting local news is an investment in the connectivity and resilience of our city.

Press Forward: A movement to transform local news

Across the country, local journalism is being reimagined as a critical piece of civic infrastructure, with programs and funding models that inspire bold action. Press Forward, a coalition of funders pooling over $500 million, is at the center of this movement. Here’s the exciting part: national dollars follow local dollars.

When Kansas City invests in its local news ecosystem, we show national funders that our community values journalism and is ready to scale its impact. This creates an incredible opportunity for innovation and growth, unlocking new possibilities for how we inform and engage our city.

Learning from other cities

Programs like Cleveland’s Signal Cleveland and the Documenters initiative are transforming how communities engage with local government. Documenters trains everyday residents to report on public meetings, creating transparency and accountability. Imagine Kansas City residents doing the same — armed with the skills and support to share vital information that strengthens our democracy.

In Tulsa, a $14 million initiative is expanding a historic Black-owned newspaper, creating over 20 journalism jobs, and fostering collaboration between news outlets. In Chicago, City Bureau’s Civic Reporting programs are training journalists and community members alike to co-create powerful stories that reflect their lived experiences.

These examples show what’s possible when communities and funders invest in bold, collaborative models for local journalism. Kansas City is perfectly positioned to join this movement with our innovative spirit and strong foundation of local news startups.

Why it matters

Local news isn’t just good for civic engagement—it’s good for business. Independent journalism creates a connected, informed community where startups, small businesses, and leaders can thrive. It’s an ecosystem that benefits everyone, building trust and driving innovation across sectors.

What can you do?

If you can afford a HULU subscription, you can afford to support local news. Even $1 matters, and campaigns with matching funds mean your donation goes further.

This is Kansas City’s moment. Let’s rally behind Startland News, The Beacon, KC Defender, and others leading the way.