States Newsroom Fights Media Blackout with Free 2026 Election Coverage

In a critical announcement ahead of the 2026 elections, States Newsroom, the nation's largest nonprofit news organization, is championing free, reliable journalism to combat political propaganda and news deserts. The organization, which includes Stateline and a vast network of local affiliates across all 50 state capitals, warns that the public is vulnerable when local news outlets lay off staff due to financial pressures from influential owners like Perry Sook and Jeff Bezos. To ensure citizens are well-informed about state, county, and city-level candidates, States Newsroom provides nonpartisan coverage without paywalls, pop-ups, or ads, focusing on key issues such as state budgets, education access, immigration, and climate change lawsuits. The newsroom is actively fact-checking the elections, with coverage that also impacts events in Washington, D.C., highlighting its role as an essential source in an era of disinformation.

The organization's extensive reach is demonstrated through its fully funded newsrooms in 39 states, each with dedicated websites like the Alabama Reflector, Florida Phoenix, and Kansas Reflector, and content-sharing agreements with 11 leading nonprofit newsrooms such as CalMatters and The Texas Tribune. Studies show that nonprofit newsrooms like States Newsroom now constitute the largest portion of statehouse reporters in 10 states, filling the void left by staffing cuts at legacy media. To support this mission, the public is encouraged to donate via a one-time or recurring option, as emphasized in a call to action to prevent a "media blackout" and maintain access to critical investigative stories and daily events from state legislatures and governors' offices.

Examples of States Newsroom's coverage include stories on E-Verify requirements drawing business pushback in some Republican states, hopes pinned on the Senate to kill a proposed barrier-free college for older Kentuckians, the Kansas House advancing a new state budget amid spending concerns, Democrats ditching a state union to blast Trump immigration lawlessness, and the Supreme Court taking up a climate case testing local lawsuits against oil companies. By incorporating these topics, the organization underscores its commitment to providing the best information on issues that directly affect congressional and gubernatorial elections, ensuring reliable access for all citizens to stay informed and engaged in the democratic process.