Microsoft Supports WSU Murrow Fellows/Report for Washington Partnership to Expand Local News Across Washington State

Seattle, WA - Microsoft has announced its support for the WSU Murrow Fellows/Report for Washington partnership, a collaboration between Report for America and Washington State University's Edward R. Murrow College of Communication designed to strengthen local news across Washington state.

Microsoft's support will expand local reporting capacity in North Central Washington, by funding three journalists, one each in Grant, Douglas and Chelan counties, for two years. The funding will also support additional journalism community convenings.

"I've long believed that local reporting strengthens communities and increases civic engagement," said Teresa Hutson, corporate vice president and general counsel of the technology and services group at Microsoft. "We're proud to announce a two-year investment to support reporting positions in Grant, Douglas, and Chelan counties. If we can build and sustain local reporting capacity, we can better understand what Washington needs to thrive."

"Microsoft's investment will strengthen journalism in the state and create new opportunities for the next generation of reporters to serve communities that too often go uncovered. WSU Murrow Fellows and Report for Washington are building a model for what the future of local journalism can look like," said Rob Zeaske, CEO, Report Local.

The announcement was made during the Washington Local Journalism Summit last week, where leaders from journalism, technology, philanthropy, higher education and local news organizations gathered to discuss the future of local news, including the impact of artificial intelligence, sustainable business models and community trust. Microsoft hosted the event on its Redmond campus.

The convening featured national and local leaders in policy and philanthropy who spoke of the need to reframe the challenges facing journalism with a fresh focus on how strong local news organizations foster civic connections and engagement. Murrow News Fellows, Report for America corps members and news media partners described the impact of reporting fellows - from covering the drought crisis in the Yakima Valley to healthcare in Washington's Northwest corridor. Leaders from Microsoft's AI, security, and trust teams demonstrated AI systems, giving attendees a clearer view of where the technology stands, where it's heading, and available tools to help journalists identify AI-manipulated content and visuals.

As Washington grapples with the loss of local news outlets and shrinking newsroom resources, leaders at the summit emphasized the importance of sustained investment as an essential piece of civic infrastructure. Microsoft leaders emphasized the importance of strong local reporting in enabling communities to remain informed, connected and resilient during periods of rapid technological and social change.

Speakers throughout the summit emphasized the power of cross-sector collaboration and pointed to the WSU Murrow Fellows/Report for Washington partnership as an emerging model bringing together philanthropy, higher education, technology and local news organizations to strengthen reporting capacity.

The partnership is designed to create stronger pathways into local reporting careers and provide communities deeper, more consistent coverage on issues that directly affect residents.

"Microsoft's support allows us to deepen our commitment to communities that have been hit hard by the loss of local news across the state. We are thrilled to work alongside Report for America to inform our communities and support the next generation of journalists," said Ben Shors, Murrow Fellowship director and chair of the Department of Journalism and Media Production at WSU.

Read more:

'A reporter in every county:' WSU, Report for America launch groundbreaking program to confront Washington's local news crisis

Media Contacts

• Ben Shors, Murrow News Fellowship, 509-335-1547, [email protected]
• Gillian Smith, Report Local