Local News Initiative of Southern Arizona

Arizona Luminaria produces community-centered, bilingual journalism that digs deeply into the issues Arizonans care about most, including government accountability, equity, and public resources. The newsroom prioritizes in-depth, easy-to-understand reporting that helps residents better navigate the systems shaping their lives.

Founded by veteran Arizona journalists Irene McKisson, Dianna Náñez, and Becky Pallack, Arizona Luminaria brings more than five decades of combined newsroom experience in reporting, editing, community engagement, and digital innovation. As a nonprofit newsroom built to address coverage gaps, it is rooted in Southern Arizona and guided by a commitment to accessible, accountable, and inclusive journalism.

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Votebeat Arizona covers the mechanics of elections in every county across the state, with significant reporting in Southern Arizona, particularly for historically underserved populations who face unique barriers to voting, including policy changes, language access challenges, and resource limitations. Votebeat Arizona provides the state’s electorate with reliable, nonpartisan reporting on how local elections work, helping them make informed decisions and more fully participate in the civic process — especially those vulnerable to misinformation and partisanship.

Recognized by Time in 2024 as the only news outlet in America dedicated exclusively to local election coverage, Votebeat brings deep, state-based expertise to one of the most complex and consequential aspects of civic life. Its nonpartisan, accountability-driven reporting equips voters, election workers, policymakers, and community leaders with reliable information essential to a functioning democracy.

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KAWC serves Yuma and La Paz counties with public radio programming that educates, informs, and entertains. From local news and public affairs coverage to music and arts programming, the station provides 24/7 service tailored to the region’s diverse communities. Its Student Newsroom reports on issues important to young people, expanding perspectives often underrepresented in traditional media.

Based at Arizona Western College, KAWC operates from studios designed to support both professional broadcasting and hands-on student training. With support from public media partners and community philanthropy, the station strengthens regional journalism while mentoring the next generation of reporters in Southern Arizona.

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For more than 16 years, the Patagonia Regional Times has provided news coverage to eastern Santa Cruz County. The publication reports on local government, school sports, the arts, community events, nonprofit work, and everyday stories that connect neighbors. Its monthly print edition is distributed throughout the region, ensuring readers across its rural communities have access.

Written and edited by local contributors, the Patagonia Regional Times is dedicated to being a reliable, inclusive platform for civic dialogue and community engagement. Funded by advertising, grants, and reader support, it remains a steady and trusted source of information in an area with limited media coverage.

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Somos Tucson delivers trusted, accessible information in Spanish for Tucson’s Latino and migrant communities. The outlet shares practical guides, community resources, and coverage of housing, government spending, the environment, urban development, and elections — all designed to combat misinformation and strengthen participation. Through its articles, “Periodistas” video podcast, and active social media presence, it creates space for robust civic involvement and Spanish-language conversations about life in Tucson.

Founded by the former editor of La Estrella de Tucson, Liliana López Ruelas, Somos Tucson launched in 2025 with support from the University of Arizona’s Bilingual Journalism master’s program and the Local News Initiative of Southern Arizona, in collaboration with other local reporters. Rooted in a bicultural, binational perspective, the newsroom is committed to ensuring Spanish-speaking residents have clear, reliable information that supports daily life and strengthens belonging.

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Tucson Sentinel provides independent coverage of local government, border and immigration policy, education, environment, and community issues. Known for in-depth, watchdog reporting, local commentary, and expert analysis, the Sentinel’s high-quality, balanced reporting on Southern Arizona inspires meaningful community engagement, transparency, and understanding, and solutions that hold those in power accountable.

Founded by longtime Arizona journalist Dylan Smith, Tucson Sentinel operates as an independent, reader-supported newsroom. Its experienced reporting team emphasizes accountability journalism and sustained coverage of complex regional issues throughout Southern Arizona and its borderlands.

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Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that centers its reporting on solutions-focused coverage of local government, education, sustainability, social services, and politics, often through the lens of the Hispanic community. It spotlights undercovered topics and communities while providing Southern Arizonans with tools to better understand and engage with local issues.

As a nonprofit newsroom, Tucson Spotlight prioritizes transparency, independence, and community impact. It offers paid opportunities, professional mentorship, and editorial oversight to journalism students and new graduates, helping them gain meaningful newsroom experience while producing impactful reporting. Co-founders Caitlin Schmidt and Susan Barnett are longtime Tucsonans. Caitlin previously spent a decade reporting for the Arizona Daily Star before co-founding the Tucson Agenda and later Tucson Spotlight. Susan is a graduate of the University of Arizona School of Journalism’s bilingual master’s program and previously worked for La Estrella de Tucson.

Tucson Spotlight has newsletters in both English and Spanish; learn more on their website.

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