SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — In addition to North Carolina Governor Josh Stein recognizing the importance of local news in a proclamation this week, two area governments also acknowledged how area journalists bring value to their communities.
The Wilmington City Council and New Hanover County Board of Commissioners both identified April 9, 2026 as Local News Day. The first inaugural national celebration was started by journalists and media outlets including Montana Free Press, American Journalism Project and Press Forward.
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Local journalists were at council and commissioner meetings this week in recognition. Tuesday evening Mayor Bill Saffo read the proclamation aloud, noting “local news is essential to democracy” and the daily lives of citizens.
“These are the folks that keep us all honest and make sure we are doing our jobs,” he quipped. “I’ve always said they’re the fourth rail of government. … Thank you for all the hard work you folks put in.”
WECT anchor Frances Weller appeared at both the city council and commissioners meetings to accept the proclamations.
“We as journalists have an obligation everyday to report the news — it’s not always easy because the news is not always good, but it is our responsibility,” she said in council chambers, surrounded by journalists from Port City Daily, WECT and NC Local.
On Monday, New Hanover County Commissioner Chair LeAnn Pierce read the proclamation as well, bringing to light the value of information disseminated to residents, particularly during times of need. She pointed out that being in a community of beach towns gave the media a vitality beyond daily headlines.
“When we have natural disasters,” Pierce said, “that’s one of the roles the media does, getting information out when it comes to hurricane preparedness and that’s a very important part of it.”
Commissioner Rob Zapple thanked all reporters in town and made it clear elected officials could not be effective governing in a silo. He pointed to 80 people in the audience attending the April 6 commissioner meeting, but recognized the power of media reach as vast.
“In 5 seconds you can get the word out about any issue, any solution or any problem we are having. We need you,” Zapple said. “The media is in partnership with your local government, as it should be.”
Their colleague, Stephanie Walker, echoed similar sentiments, adding she starts her morning by catching up on headlines.
“Anything I can find about local news, I know from y’all,” Walker said. “And the press isn’t just about controversial things, it’s also about informing the public about all the great events going on in our community.”
To further celebrate Local News Day, nonpartisan, nonprofit newsroom NC Local is hosting News Cafes statewide on Thursday, April 9. Locally, ond will take place at WHQR Gallery from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and is free and open to the public. Participating will be WHQR, Port City Daily, StarNews, WECT, Greater Wilmington Business Journal, WWAY and encore.
The goal is to foster and elevate the role of daily reporting; the outlets welcome readers, viewers and listeners to speak with journalists and editors about content they want to see, ask questions about topics of interest and share ideas on information gaps. The aim is to build trust among news organizations, journalists and community members.
If you plan to attend the local news cafe in Wilmington, please, RSVP here. There will be free coffee or other refreshments as well.
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