Bipartisian legislative support prevalant for proposed ‘News Talent’ program

With the political divide continuing to roar its way through governments everywhere, there was some common ground discovered at the Minnesota State Capitol last week: the importance of impactful local journalism.

Above The Fold Publishing’s own Tara Brandl, Minnesota Newspaper Association president, testified before the Minnesota House Workforce Committee last Thursday in support of HF4072, a bill that, if passed, would help fund a Minnesota Local News Talent Pipeline Program that would support paid internships at Minnesota newspapers, television and radio stations, and digital outlets.

The bill would appropriate $500,000 from the Workforce Development Fund in Fiscal Year 2027.