Rooted in the belief that strong communities and strong local journalism go hand in hand, Press Forward NE Wisconsin is a regional chapter of the national Press Forward movement. It connects local innovation with investment to help our region stay informed, connected, and engaged.

Our Approach

As a convener and connector for Press Forward NE Wisconsin, we’re bringing media, philanthropy, and other community partners together to build a shared vision for strengthening local news.

LEARNING
LEARNING

Gather local insights on news consumption and study national trends to map our unique local news ecosystem’s strengths and challenges.

UNDERSTANDING
UNDERSTANDING

Analyze findings to identify gaps, uncover opportunities, and define the community’s most pressing information needs.

PLANNING
PLANNING

Partner across the field to create strategies and opportunities that strengthen and sustain local journalism.

local news landscape study

The forthcoming Local News Landscape Study–Northeast Wisconsin provides the first comprehensive snapshot of how residents across Brown, Kewaunee, Oconto, and Outagamie counties access and value local news. Drawing on surveys, focus group insights, and an inventory of local outlets, the study highlights both the strengths of the regional news ecosystem and the challenges shaping engagement today.

Insights from our community

0
actively seek out local news to stay informed about their community.
0
say local news has motivated them to act, from voting to donating.
0
feel local news does not reflect what matters most in their community.
0
say they do not pay for a local news subscription.

expanding our impact

While many communities are just beginning this journey, ours is building momentum. 

Since 2019, the NEW News Lab has brought local news outlets together to deliver in-depth reporting on critical issues like housing, childcare, and education. Press Forward NE Wisconsin is building on that progress—working to ensure this kind of journalism can thrive for the long term and continue informing meaningful action across our region.

expanding our impact

Forward Together

Press Forward has chapters nationwide. Together, we are working to strengthen local news. We coordinate regional investment, identify community information needs, and support sustainable solutions tailored to their area.

Each local chapter is rooted in the understanding that strong communities and strong local news go hand in hand. Like sidewalks or libraries, access to trustworthy local information is essential infrastructure that benefits everyone.

Forward Together

chapter members

The Press Forward NE Wisconsin chapter is led by Jess Adams, director of partnerships for Northeast Wisconsin at Wisconsin Watch. Connect with her at [email protected].

Appleton Post-Crescent

Civic News Company

Door County Knock

Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Press-Gazette

Green Bay Press Times

Insight Publications

Madison365

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Seehafer Broadcasting

The Badger Project

UW–Green Bay

Wisconsin Public Radio

Wisconsin Watch

Woodward Community Media