Accountability
13 articles
Local governments are failing on budget transparency, undermining public services by 2026.
Montgomery County Council member Laurie-Anne Sayles took 11 trips outside the region on taxpayer funds since 2022, including one to Maui that coincided with critical budget decisions like potential cu
Local Governments Face 2026 Challenge to Boost Transparency
The Allen Parish Police Jury voted to prohibit police jurors or anyone acting on behalf of the parish from signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) related to economic development projects, according
Local governments waste millions on 'budget turkeys,' starving essential services.
Florida TaxWatch identified 621 projects, costing taxpayers $830 million in a single state budget, as 'turkeys'—projects lacking proper scrutiny, according to City & State New York .
Local News Collapse Threatens Democracy, Leaving Communities Vulnerable
The United States has lost 2,100 newspapers in the past 15 years, leaving at least 1,800 communities without a local news outlet, according to Agorajournalism Center .
Local Journalism's Accountability Role Is Threatened, Jeopardizing Informed Citizenship
Since 2023, a public investment in California has placed over 110 journalists who have collectively reported more than 10,000 stories, reaching 90 percent of the state's population, according to berke
Local news is vital for community accountability and information.
Slippery Rock University student Josie Hart recently completed a media writing project, producing five original articles about her hometown of Greenville and the nearby Slippery Rock area.
Local Government Budgets: Transparency Challenges by 2026
Outdated fiscal transparency systems at state and local levels obscure billions in future liabilities, making it difficult for citizens to understand their local government's true financial picture.
Local Government Budgets Lack Transparency: Demand Accountability
Rehoboth Beach commissioners just enacted a new provision in Delaware: they can now increase their own salaries with a simple vote, requiring only a six-month wait.
Local Budget Processes: Rigged, With Suppressed Citizen Scrutiny
Councilors in some local governments are explicitly barred from asking questions during budget presentations that demand background or longer responses, reports Concord Monitor .
Bronzeville Alder Demands Accountability for Youth Shootings
A 12-year-old boy was among seven young people shot over a single weekend at unsanctioned teen gatherings in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.
Local journalism's decline erodes community ties and accountability
Montclair's Township Council is considering a $52,500 contract for a community engagement platform that culls social media, even as local newsrooms shrink.
Local News Collapse Risks Democratic Deficit, Report Warns
At least 293 local newspapers have closed in the UK since 2005, representing about a third of the sector, according to GOV.
Our Community's Watchdog Is Fading. Here's Why Investing In Local Journalism Is Crucial.
Local journalism is the bedrock of an informed community, fostering connection and holding leaders accountable. As newsrooms face challenges, investing in local news is an investment in our civic infrastructure and the health of our democracy.