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Dear Daily Yonder Reader,
This year has brought big changes to the media landscape.
Perhaps you’ve followed along as we’ve documented the threats to First Amendment freedoms as described by Federal Communications Commissioner Anna Gomez or explored the effect of $1.1 billion in federal funding cuts on local public media stations.
As you know, it’s rural communities that often bear the brunt of the damage. Even before the Congressional cuts, the rural places we cover have felt the consequences of a news industry transformed by conglomerates, consolidation, and closures of local outlets.
Amid these industry headwinds, we’re not letting up on our mission to deliver original, fact-driven reporting that reaches audiences where they are. From congregations that serve as rural community hubs to grassroots groups organizing across county lines to protect their water, we’ve been on the beat as rural people and places show up for one another all across the country.
In 2026, we’ll keep facing today’s industry challenges head on. Coming soon, you’ll be able to listen to Daily Yonder stories, analysis, and more during a weekly, hour-long show we’re calling Yonder Radio. The program will be available for free to radio stations across the country, cementing our commitment to accessible rural news. Each week, listeners will hear straight from Daily Yonder reporters unpacking the headlines through a rural lens, plus human-interest stories that spotlight rural lives and livelihoods.
This is a big step for us. Four years ago, we launched the Yonder Report to offer a weekly, three-minute newscast breaking down the top stories in rural America. Since then, our reporting has aired on hundreds of radio stations across the country, informing millions of listeners about the nuance and realities of rural life.
Julia Tilton is a Daily Yonder Reporter and Multimedia Producer. (Photo by Ilana Newman/The Daily Yonder)
Still, moving from a three-minute show to an hour-long one is a leap. And while we’ve got a talented team of multimedia journalists and radio producers ready for the challenge, we need your support to ensure the show can hit the ground running in 2026.
Right now, all reader contributions made by December 31, 2025, are eligible to be matched as part of the NewsMatch campaign supporting nonprofit newsrooms like ours.
That means every dollar you give today will go further, helping us reach audiences across platforms and over the air waves. Plus, your support allows us to keep our reporting free and accessible to everyone, whether they’re reading online or listening on the radio.
Thank you for being part of the Daily Yonder community. We couldn’t do this work without you.
Warmly,
Julia Tilton
Daily Yonder Reporter and Multimedia Producer
Julia Tilton reports on disaster recovery and FEMA response in Ludlow, Vermont, in August, following a series of severe flood events in the state. (Photo by Abhinav Krishnan)
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Thanks to support from the Wyncote Foundation, the Rural Partner Fund, the Roundhouse Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Dee Davis and Mimi Pickering, and other generous donors, contributions from individuals are eligible to be matched up to $1,000 per donor from November 1 to December 31, 2025. New monthly recurring donations are matched at the 12-month value of the donation, up to $1,000. For more details about eligibility see NewsMatch guidelines.
The Daily Yonder is a project of the Center for Rural Strategies, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Gifts may be tax deductible; consult a tax adviser for more information.
The post Rural News is Under Threat, So We’re Turning Up the Volume appeared first on The Daily Yonder.
