Local News International: Redefining News Delivery for New Audiences

It’s easy to scroll past headlines about media innovation in Marseille and reckon, “That’s nice for France, but what does it have to do with me in Denver?” Yet when Dave Jorgenson and Lauren Saks took the stage at the World News Media Congress this spring, their message hit harder than a sudden downpour on Colfax Avenue: the future of local news isn’t waiting in some distant newsroom—it’s already being built by creators who understand that audiences aren’t lost; they’re just scrolling, swiping, and seeking connection in places legacy outlets forgot to look. For a city like Denver, where neighborhoods from Five Points to RiNo pulse with distinct rhythms and where local stories often get drowned in statewide noise, this isn’t just media theory—it’s a lifeline.

Their project, Local News International (LNI), launched in mid-2025 after departing The Washington Post, isn’t another attempt to shoehorn traditional journalism into TikTok’s vertical frame. Instead, Jorgenson—whose deadpan delivery once turned Post explainers into viral sensations—and Saks, the former Deputy Director of Video who helped build PBS Digital Studios from scratch, asked a simpler question: What if we stopped chasing audiences and started meeting them where they already live? By February 2026, less than a year in, their YouTube channel had surpassed 250,000 subscribers, and their newsletter—skewing heavily toward young men who cite LNI as their primary news source—was growing rapidly. This isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about recognizing that humor, authenticity, and platform-native storytelling aren’t luxuries in modern news—they’re necessities. As Jorgenson told attendees at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia just weeks prior, humor isn’t a gimmick; it’s a principled editorial stance backed by data showing one in five people actively desire fun from their news, regardless of age.

What makes LNI’s model particularly relevant to Denver is its deliberate diversification. Rather than relying on volatile ad revenue or fickle platform algorithms, Saks describes their approach as “a collection of a few types of revenue”: platform earnings, sponsorships, grants, consulting with newsrooms and non-profits, and direct member support. This mirrors the resilience Denver’s own media ecosystem needs—especially as outlets grapple with the aftermath of layoffs at legacy papers and the uneven recovery of local advertising post-pandemic. Consider how Colorado Public Radio’s recent expansion into podcasting and community events reflects a similar hunger for diversified, audience-first strategies. Or how Denverite’s hyperlocal focus on neighborhood-specific issues—from redevelopment debates along Broadway to the cultural impact of the RiNo Art District—shows what happens when journalism listens first and broadcasts second. LNI’s success proves that independent, creator-driven journalism doesn’t have to mean sacrificing rigor; it can mean supercharging it by speaking the language of the audience you serve.

This philosophy extends beyond video formats. When Jorgenson films in Marseille, he doesn’t just stand before a landmark—he weaves the backdrop into the story, using the Vieux-Port or Notre-Dame de la Garde as visual metaphors that ground global issues in tangible place. Denver creators could do the same: imagine a short-form explainer on water rights filmed along the South Platte River near Confluence Park, where the Cherry Creek meets the Platte, or a segment on urban housing filmed at the intersection of Colfax and Federal, capturing the tension between historic bungalows and new infill development. It’s not about mimicking LNI’s style—it’s about adapting their ethos: humor as a tool for engagement, not deflection; speed paired with substance; and a willingness to let the audience shape the narrative as much as the journalist.

Of course, this shift doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires support from institutions that understand the evolving media landscape. Entities like the Denver Office of Economic Development, which has increasingly invested in creative industries through programs like Denver Creates, could play a role in nurturing independent video journalists. The Colorado Media Project, a collaboration between local newsrooms and the University of Colorado Boulder’s College of Media, Communication and Information, offers another model—one focused on sustainability and innovation. And locally, organizations like Rocky Mountain PBS, despite their scale, have experimented with creator-led initiatives through their digital-first platforms, proving that legacy and independent media can coexist, just as Jorgenson and Saks advocate.

Given my background in media innovation and audience engagement, if this trend impacts you in Denver—whether you’re a journalist feeling constrained by traditional formats, a community organizer struggling to get your message heard, or a resident tired of news that feels disconnected from your block—here are three types of local professionals you need:

• Audience-First Video Strategists: Look for creators who don’t just know how to edit a vertical video but who start with deep community listening. They should be able to show how they’ve used humor or storytelling to explain complex local issues—like zoning changes near Aurora’s Anschutz Medical Campus or transit debates along the FasTracks corridors—without sacrificing accuracy. Question for examples of how they’ve adapted tone to platform whereas maintaining editorial integrity, and whether they’ve collaborated with neighborhood groups or ethnic media outlets to ensure representation.
• Hyperlocal Newsletter Architects: Seek professionals who treat newsletters not as afterthoughts but as primary engagement tools. The best ones will have clear metrics around open and click-through rates tied to specific Denver neighborhoods—perhaps a sharp rise in readership after covering a Westwood library funding vote or a surge in engagement during monsoon season flood preparedness guides. They should understand segmentation not as a buzzword but as a way to deliver relevant civics, culture, and service journalism to residents who feel overlooked by citywide coverage.
• Platform-Neutral Media Consultants: These are advisors who assist newsrooms, nonprofits, or even city agencies navigate the shift from broadcast-first thinking to platform-native storytelling without chasing every trend. They should have demonstrable experience helping clients diversify revenue beyond ads—think grant writing for local journalism projects, sponsorship strategies that align with community values, or membership models that offer real value (like access to behind-the-scenes content or community forums). Crucially, they must understand that authenticity can’t be outsourced; their role is to strengthen internal capacity, not replace it with a generic playbook.

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