NEW JERSEY — The Foundation for Local News, Inc. announced today that Katy Temple will serve as the organization’s incoming Executive Director as the 501(c)(3) nonprofit launches its mission to strengthen local journalism as essential democratic infrastructure across New Jersey.

The Foundation for Local News is dedicated to supporting student journalists, expanding hyperlocal reporting capacity, and strengthening civic engagement.

Temple brings a background in communications, public affairs, and journalism advocacy to the role. She previously played an active role in advocating for New Jersey’s landmark New Voices legislation, which strengthened First Amendment protections for student journalists and protected student media advisors.

Her work advancing student press freedom helped position New Jersey as a national leader in protecting scholastic journalism rights and informed her broader commitment to rebuilding local news ecosystems throughout the state.

“As local news outlets continue to disappear, communities lose access to the information necessary to fully participate in civic life,” Temple said. “Supporting student journalists and strengthening local reporting pipelines is not only an investment in journalism, but an investment in democracy itself.”

“The key to the future of local news in New Jersey is reinforcing the classroom to newsroom pipeline – getting students excited and involved in local news since they are the reporters, editors, owners, and publishers of tomorrow.  Creating a statewide program to do so is the primary focus of the Foundation for Local News.  I am excited to have Katy join the Foundation and lead it full-time to accomplish this critical and ambitious goal,” said Mike Shapiro, Founder and Board President.

As Executive Director, Temple will lead the Foundation’s efforts to develop statewide partnerships with schools, journalism organizations, civic institutions, and policymakers. The organization’s initial focus will center on launching a New Jersey High School Journalism Initiative aimed at expanding access to journalism education, mentorship, and civic reporting opportunities for students across the state, particularly in low-income communities where students typically lack access to journalism education and training.

The Foundation also plans to advocate for increased public and philanthropic investment in local journalism infrastructure and the launch of new local news outlets, particularly in communities currently underserved by local media.

Additional announcements regarding the Foundation’s advisory board, pilot programming, and statewide partnerships are expected in the coming months.