Local journalism in the southern United States is getting a major boost as media veteran Andy Lack announces a big investment to support nonprofit news organisations. His contribution aims to strengthen independent reporting and help local communities stay informed.
$7 Million Boost for Nonprofit Journalism
Andy Lack, a former top executive at NBC News and MSNBC, has committed $7 million to support nonprofit journalism. This comes on top of the $5 million he has already invested over the past decade.
This combined funding is considered one of the largest personal contributions to local nonprofit journalism in recent times.
Lack’s connection to the region is personal, as his grandparents were from Mississippi, which inspired his long-term support for southern news organisations.
What is Deep South Today?
Deep South Today is a nonprofit network co-founded by Lack. It supports independent and nonpartisan local newsrooms across Louisiana and Mississippi.
Currently, the organisation includes:
- Mississippi Today (Pulitzer Prize-winning outlet)
- Verite News in New Orleans
- The Current in southern Louisiana
- The Garrison Project
Around 60 journalists are working across these platforms, focusing on local stories that matter to communities.
Where the New Funding Will Be Used
A large portion of the new investment will go into improving journalism quality and reach.
Key focus areas:
- $3 million for investigative reporting and digital video journalism
- Expansion of Deep South Today Studios for video storytelling
- Launch of a new Investigative Reporting Center
The new reporting center will work in partnership with the New York Times Local Investigations Fellowship.
Collaboration with The New York Times
The Investigative Reporting Center will bring together:
- Full-time investigative journalists
- Data reporters
- Fellows from The New York Times
Their work will be published both locally and nationally, helping important stories reach a wider audience.
This collaboration is expected to improve the depth and impact of reporting in the region.
Why Nonprofit Journalism Matters
Local news organisations are increasingly shifting to nonprofit models. This allows them to receive funding from donors and foundations instead of relying only on advertising.
Benefits of this model include:
- More focus on public-interest reporting
- Ability to fund long-term investigations
- Less pressure from commercial interests
In fact, nearly half of nonprofit news organisations today are local outlets, showing how quickly this model is growing.
Future Plans and Expansion
Out of the $7 million:
- About $4 million is still unallocated
- Funds will be used to launch new newsrooms
- Expansion into Arkansas is planned
This means more communities in the southern U.S. could soon benefit from strong, independent journalism.
